How to do a manicure at home in 6 steps: perfect DIY nails!

Often neglected, hands are our calling card, especially in the professional field. In this short guide there is everything you need to know to have manicured hands and perfect nails with a DIY manicure !

HOW TO MAKE THE MANICURE AT HOME

You don't always have the opportunity to go to the beautician for a manicure, perhaps with the application of semi-permanent nail polish. This does not mean that you cannot have perfect nails with a DIY manicure, using a classic nail polish and a few simple accessories that we all already have at home. Here are the practical tips on how to do the manicure yourself : 6 simple steps are enough to have flawless hands!

1. REMOVE THE OLD ENAMEL

First you need to remove any residue of polish from the nails . Pour some solvent onto a cotton pad and wipe the nails, trying to remove all traces of nail polish. Better to choose acetone-free solvents , which are gentler on the nail but equally effective (to learn more, read our article on the best solvents on the market). In any case, it is important to remember to rinse your hands once the solvent has been applied , to avoid that it remains too in contact with the nails, with the risk of weakening them.

2. REMOVE THE CUTICLES

Once the nail polish is off, it's time to move on to the annoying cuticles that form near the nails. To be able to remove them more easily, you can keep your hands soaked in water and shower gel for a few minutes, in order to soften the skin and nails. To remove the cuticles correctly, we recommend that you massage them with a DIY cuticle oil , then gently push them back with an orange wood stick . If the cuticles are particularly evident and difficult to manage, we advise you to read our article on how to eliminate the cuticles and not make them grow back, it will change your life!

3. CUT AND FILM THE NAILS

Based on their length you can decide whether to cut them or simply shorten the nails with a file. On long nails the cut can be done with a scissors or a nail clipper: it must be clean and it is essential to pay attention to the corners. If you are not an expert, make a straight cut and then file the corners to round them and define the shape. If you have short nails , just use the file. For filing it is preferable to use a cardboard file , which does not damage the nails, and to avoid back and forth movements , which in the long run can make the nails weak.

4. APPLY A COAT BASE

At this point you can apply a clear base on your nails , to protect them from yellowing , make them stronger and make the polish last longer . On the market there are many base coat for nails with various characteristics: reinforcing, whitening, hardening ... just choose the one that best suits your nails. Let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.

5. SPREAD THE ENAMEL

After choosing the colored nail polish you prefer (Faby, Orly, Essie etc.), remove the brush and discard the excess color. Then proceed by making a first pass in the center of the nail and then two passes on the sides , being careful not to smudge. Never start from the nail attachment but always leave about half a millimeter so as not to risk the nail polish dripping into the edges or going on the fingers. If you are not an expert, you can use a peel off liquid for nail art , such as Liquid Palisade, specific to protect your fingers from smudging. Once the nail polish has dried, you can proceed to a second pass to make the color more intense. We advise you tolet the second coat dry for at least half an hour , so as not to risk damaging the enamel. Don't believe those who say 5 minutes are enough! Haste is the enemy of DIY manicure! If you don't have much time, you can use a spray or nail polish drying drops to speed up drying.

6. APPLY A TOP COAT

Finally, apply a layer of top coat , a transparent sealant that will protect the colored nail polish making it last even longer, keeping its color alive and bright. For a professional look you can choose a gel effect top coat , which will make your nails super shiny, as if you just got out of the beautician. Et voila, finished manicure!

DIY MANICURE TUTORIAL VIDEO

Below you can see a short video tutorial showing how to make a perfect manicure at home.

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We hope you found this short manicure guide  useful . Let us know if you also follow these 6 steps and if our advice has been helpful to you!

OTHER TIPS NOT TO BE MISSED FOR THE CARE OF NAILS AND HANDS:

Causes, remedies and solutions for brittle nails.

Anatomy of the nail : shape, structure and possible problems.

Onychophagy: what it is and how to stop biting nails !