How To Give Yourself A Manicure: Step-By-Step Instructions

You can have long, beautiful, luxurious nails without going to an expensive salon. In fact, you can get the look of a professional manicure right in the comfort of your own home.

The following is an easy step-by-step guide to achieve an attractive, posh set of salon-style nails. Give yourself a manicure, or better yet, call some friends and have a DIY manicure party!

Step #1: Thoroughly wash and completely dry your hands.

Step #2: Using a nail file, gently stroke your nails from side to side. Stay away from the corners of your nails, since this may weaken them.

Step #3: Now, start to file your nails in your desired shape. Oval is popular, but you should ideally choose a shape that compliments your fingers and hands.

Step #4: Rub in a cuticle softener to each of your cuticles.

Step #5: Next, soak both hands in a soothing bowl of moderately warm water for a couple of minutes and just relax.

Step #6: After your hands have been soaked just enough to make them soft and pliable, tenderly push back each cuticle. Do not push to them to the point where you feel discomfort and pain... Gently snip down any hangnails if you have them.

Step #7: Start to massage the palms of your hands using your favorite skin lotion. Thoroughly work it into the remainder of your hands and in between your fingers. Not only does this promote healthy circulation, it will additionally enhance the overall appearance of your skin in addition to preventing wrinkles.

Step #8: Prior to applying your chosen nail color, your nails must be clean of the lotion you just applied. The simplest and fastest way to accomplish this is to use cotton balls. Take a cotton ball, and dip it into a bit of nail polish remover. Gently rub the entire surface of your nail. Continue to rub until the entire silky residue from the lotion is gone. Once your nails are clean, they are ready to polish.

Step #9: Now comes the really fun part - adding color! Take your brush and dab just enough polish on it to paint one center stroke down the nail. Ideally, the brush should not have too much paint on it to give your nail a smooth finish. Carefully paint the sides of your nail to finish the job. It should only take three strokes to completely polish one nail. Let it set for a couple of minutes before applying a second coat.

Step #10: Last step - after the polish sets, you are ready to apply a top coat. Although many people skip this step, it is important to realize that not only does it protect your nails, it will also prolong the life of your manicure.

Now, look at your beautiful hands and nails. Doesn't it look like you just came from the salon?