Ever walk out of the nail salon thinking: “Wow! This manicure is a work of art!”. Well, why not bring out your own hidden nail artist and try a mani-pedi at home?
It could be more cost-effective, a creative outlet for you to expel daily grind work stresses, or if you’re really good, allow for some supplemental income as a side-job to dole out as a service to all your friends!. There really is little to it if you have the right tools and a little bit of time on your hands. All in all, less than it takes for a trip to and from the nail salon, and certainly less costly. ‘Manifest your own nail destiny!
6 easy steps will show you how to have tips so glam that your friends will be begging to get booked.
Step 1
Gather up your brushes and colored polish, as well as other nail essentials too. If the list seems long, not to worry, some of these items are uber cheap and will last for several sessions at least.
You Will Need:
- Cotton balls or pads
- Orangewood stick
- Nail buffer
- Nail file
- Hand scrub – not too harsh
- Non-acetone nail polish remover
- Cuticle oil
- Hand moisturizer
- Base coat, top coat and nail color of choice – there are literally hundreds to choose from! Polish Ultra Beauty has a great range of colors. They also offer free shipping on orders over $35, so they’re a great place to start looking for all your nail essentials.
Note: The job will be easier executed if you have all your tools on hand and we prefer to have a workstation or table if you will. You’ll get a more professional finish and won’t risk spilling any on yourself or your furniture, either.
Step 2: Clean Trim File and Buff
Like any work of art it’s crucial, to begin with, a flawless canvas – in this case, your nails – so first things first, get them clean and shiny! Dab a little cleanser on a cotton ball and wipe the nail clean. OPI has an acetone-free toner, – no chemical nasties! Its $5.95 and will long outlast the cost with usage.
Next, trim the nails if necessary before filing to the shape you desire – this will be minimal if you’re a regular salon attendee. A crystal nail file is best for the job and can be found easily online. Lastly, for this step, buff your nails to perfection. This one available on Amazon has great reviews
Step 3: Soak Scrub and Pushback Cuticles
Soak your hands (and/or feet)in a bowl of tepid water for a minute or two to soften both the skin and cuticles. For a cheap homemade soak, add a few grains of Epsom salts – available at any drugstore. The salt will soothe tired extremities and help to soften them too. For an extra special treat, add your favorite essential oil – peppermint or lavender are great for tired, aching feet. Relax for a however long you desire, then dry thoroughly.
Taking your orange stick, gently push back your cuticles while they are still soft, as this makes the job much easier. If they’re in need of a little more TLC, then Butter London offers a great treatment that gently removes dry overgrown cuticles in minutes and, again, with no chemical nasties!
If there’s any dirt beneath the nail, you can use the stick to remove it. For this step, gently exfoliate your hands and fingers using small circular motions. Besides, there’s truth in the old saying: “you can tell a woman’s age by her hands”. Naturally, European’s range of hand and foot creams are pure luxury, and affordable. Made with twenty percent shea butter and scented with a variety of essential oils, your hands will look and feel like they’ve have had the hand equivalent of a facelift!
Step 4: Nourish and Moisturize
Massage a drop of oil into each cuticle – one with vitamin E or almond oil is best. Then, take a gob of quality hand cream and massage into your hands or feet, using circular motions – at this point, they are already looking fabulous! When your skin feels as soft as silk, remove any excess residue from the nail, using the acetone-free remover.
Step 5: Base Coat
Apply a thin layer of base coat, well worth the effort for a nice even color. As with all coats, begin in the center of the nail and use downward strokes.
Step 6: Polish
Two coats will enhance the color and help to give the polish a little more staying power. It’s vital not to be impatient when waiting for the nails to dry – a few quick blows won’t do! Use a stiff angled, plastic liner brush to remove the smudges. Easy!
Step 7: Protect, Reflect, and Admire
Like an artist sprays his finished canvas to protect his work and give it longevity, you too, need to finish yours. A couple quick, careful strokes of top coat will do just the trick to give them added shine. Topcoat polish may also be used for touch-ups during the week if need be. Seche Vite Quick Drying Top Coat, used by celebrity manicurists, is a winner!
Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
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