Most of us lack the time to do our nails on a regular basis, which means we either leave them bare or go to the nail salon to get them done. And if you’re one who feels her look is incomplete without a good manicure, you might find that the latter will burn a hole in your bank account if you’re getting your nails done every other week.
But there is a better way to get your nails done without bearing the cost of all the salon visits — and that is with a DIY manicure kit at home. It can be a great way to have some “me-time” to recharge, relieve stress and feel better about yourself. Taking an hour to do your nails can seem a bit much when you’ve barely got four hours to relax at the end of the day, but it’s well worth the time if you can spare it.
For anyone else looking to perfect their own manicures, here are the tools you’re going to need.
Always start by cleaning your nails with some nail polish remover. A remover helps rid your nails of both excess oils which can shorten the lifespan of your manicure. More importantly, it comes in handy when you need to remove any residue from your last manicure too.
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It goes without saying that a manicure isn’t complete without a good nail clipper. While there are many cheap options, getting one that’s reliable and strong will help to give a very precise cut without breaking, pulling, or tearing the nail.
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Aside from keeping your nails uniform and in shape, a good nail file can also help to prevent your nails from breaking.
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Once they’re clipped and you’re done filing them into shape, remember to gently buff away any prominent ridges that might show through your manicure. Don’t bother with the shine side of the buffer as shiny and slippery nails don’t hold polish as well.
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Apply some cuticle oil to your cuticles, and soak your fingers for a couple of minutes to soften your cuticles and any dead skin cells or dirt.
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Gently push your cuticles back with an orange stick, and buff away any dead skin and dirt. At this point, you can also use a nice hand scrub to remove any residue, but a quick soak and brushing will do as well.
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You’ll want to start with a base coat, always. It not only keeps your nail polish on longer, but it also helps protect your nails from yellowing as easily, and some base coats have nourishing or strengthening properties that your nails could benefit from. Once your base coat is on, let it dry for a couple of minutes.
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The polish is the trickiest bit for most people, and for us, half the battle is won with a good brush. We recommend going for a nail polish that comes with wider flat bristles instead of a skinny brush, as you cover more surface area in fewer strokes. The golden number is three when it comes to painting on the polish: One stripe down the middle, followed by one on either side.
In order not to get polish all over your cuticles, you’ll want to make sure there isn’t too much product on the brush to begin with, and start your brush a couple of millimetres away from your cuticle. Instead of simply painting outward, slide the brush close to your nail bed without touching it to create a starting point, and then paint outward from there.
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Clean up mistakes as you go. While you can do the final tidy-up at the end, removing polish that gets on the skin around your nails as you go can make the removal process a lot faster. Alternatively, you can also use a disposable orange stick or a toothpick for cleaning up the edge of the nail polish. After you’re done with two coats on all ten nails, consider going back in to clean up the edges with a small brush dipped in nail polish remover or a corrector pen like the ones above.
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Get your nails dry as quickly as possible. A quick-dry topcoat is a must-have. Another quick dry tip? Dipping your fingertips into a bowl of ice water can “freeze” the polish into position.
Nevertheless, you should still give it a good half hour to an hour before you go digging around your handbag though.
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However, if you prefer doing your own gel manicure because it lasts longer, then you can consider investing in a DIY gel manicure kit. In fact, you can easily find an affordable kit that’s under $100 so you don’t have to worry about burning a hole in your wallet.
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