We all know how important self-care is, but have you ever thought about incorporating your nails into your current me-time routine? If you’re a DIY, minimal-nail fan, giving yourself a fresh, simple manicure every few weeks will take your pamper nights from 0-100, and these beginner-friendly steps will leave your nails looking fresh and like brand-new. FYI: If you’re a gel or acrylic lover, there’s no reason you should miss out, just follow steps four, five, and six.
Ready to give yourself a luxury at-home manicure? We’ve got all the steps right here, that will take your nails from dry and lack lustre to hydrated, fresh and clean, in no time.
Step one: clean up
The first step to any good manicure is to make sure your nails are super clean, and free of any old drabs of polish. Take your favourite nail polish remover on a cotton pad and wipe over the nails to remove every last trace of leftover polish, dirt, and oils.
Step two: cut, file and buff
If necessary, trim your nails to your desired length, then take your file and file your nails into your desired shape. Then, take a nail buffer and buff lightly over the nail plate to enhance its natural shine. Do not use your nail file to buff the nail, as you will cause damage to the nailplate in the process.
Step three: cuticles
Next, it’s time to push back your cuticles with your cuticle pusher. Then, nip off any excess dead skin around the nail fold with a pair of cuticle nippers, if needed. Go slowly and gently with this step, so you can achieve a neat and clean look.
Step four: exfoliate
Take your favourite exfoliating scrub and in circular motions, start to massage it into your hands. Make sure to scrub the palms and backs of the hands, and don’t forget between the fingers. This step is our favourite for removing dead skin from the hands and leave them feeling silky soft. Rinse thoroughly.
Step five: cuticle oil
After exfoliating, apply a good quality cuticle oil to each nail bed and rub it in. PSA: you should be doing this step at least once daily! Applying a cuticle oil helps to nourish the nail plate and surrounding skin, stimulates nail growth, treats dry skin, and prevents chips and hang nails. Plus, if you wear gel or acrylic or your nails, it will drastically lengthen the wear of it. Win-win!
Step six: moisturise
No hand or nail care routine is complete without a layer of moisturiser. Pick a hand cream that is non-greasy (nobody has time for that) and slather it over your hands. Give yourself a lil’ hand massage while you’re at it and take a second to relax as it sinks in. Try calming scents of lavender, jasmine, and vanilla.
Step seven: apply a clear nail strengthener
To finish your new manicure ritual, apply a clear nail polish or strengthener to the nails to keep them looking fresh and feeling healthy.
If you want to paint your nails and need a little bit of help, we’ve got a tutorial on how to paint your nails perfectly, every single time right here. Or if you need some help in the gel department, discover our top tips and tricks for using gel polish right here.
