In this economy, few of us can afford to pay for things that aren’t strictly necessary, visits to the nail salon being one of them. However, that shouldn’t stop you from having beautiful nails!
You can still have a great looking manicure at home, but if you’re anything like me you might think it’s too difficult and time consuming.
However, beautiful nails don’t have to be complicated. Keep reading for expert tips to help you achieve a beautiful manicure at home that not only looks great, but lasts longer too.
Prep the Nails
Peeling polish and chips are the biggest complaints I see from women who attempt home manicures, but these can be easily remedied by prepping the nails first.
First, soften and remove ragged cuticles with a good quality cuticle removing cream. Clean your nails thoroughly so that polish has a clean place to adhere to. Then use a cotton ball dipped in acetone-based nail polish remover and sweep over each nail to really ensure your nails are dirt free.
Once your nails are clean and dry, use a low-abrasion (also called fine grit) nail file (you can find these at any beauty supply store) to smooth rough edges and round the tips of your nails. File in one direction, and never file against your nail plate — doing so will weaken the nails and leave them rough.
Time to Polish
One of the most important steps to resist chipping is often overlooked, and that is applying a base coat. Many women think this step isn’t necessary, but polish will adhere much better to a base coat than to the nail itself.
Once the base coat has dried, apply a thin coat of nail polish to each nail, using three even strokes: one down the middle and one on each side. Allow the nail polish to dry for at least 2 minutes before applying a second coat. Once this coat has dried, finish your nails with a clear top coat to help seal the lacquer and prevent peeling and chips.
A beautiful manicure doesn’t have to be difficult to achieve at home, and these tips should help ensure long-lasting color throughout the week. For even more staying power, slather your hands in a good quality hand cream and rub cuticle oil on each night before bed.
How do you make the most of at-home manicures? Leave your comments below.
