I would love to be able to get a salon manicure every 5-7 days, but let's face it... it's just not gonna happen. It doesn't make sense to spend $12-15 per manicure, once a week when I can easily do it myself at home!
I have had enough manicures at the salon to know exactly what steps to take. I need to perfect my polishing skills just a bit more, but my own manicures (and pedicures sometimes too) are the best!
Here are the steps:
{Gather your supplies. You will need : nail polish remover / cotton balls / foot scrub / cuticle oil or softener / cuticle pusher / manicure brush / nail file and buffer / hand soap or any liquid soap / hand and nail cream}
{Fill a pretty bowl with warm water and your liquid soap. I like Johnson's Body Care ~ Melt Away Stress Lavender and Chamomile Body Wash}
{Remove all nail polish and gently file nails to your liking. I like a rounded square shape.}
{Gently buff each nail bed. I do about four-five strokes across each nail for a smooth finish.}
{Soak your nails for about 5 minutes}
{Apply cuticle softener/oil on your cuticles.}
{With the cuticle pusher, gently push back each cuticle towards your nail base and on the sides as well. Trim any hangnails with a nail clipper}
{With the other end of the cuticle pusher, gently swipe under your nails, getting any dirt that may be hiding :)}
{Soak nails for another 3-5 minutes}
{Be sure to use a nail brush and clean under your nails}
{Completely rinse and dry hands and nails}
{Apply a rich, ultra moisturizing hand and nail cream. Try and avoid getting cream directly on your nail bed. I have used many, today I am going with Vaseline Healthy Hand and Nail Conditioning Hand Lotion}
{Pick a pretty nail color. I always have a tough time deciding, so I get my 7-year-old mini fashionista to help me decide. She is NEXT, afterall, and usually gets the same color! Today, we went with NK, "Fiesta Red". This is a fabulously CHEAP nail polish. $1 at the beauty supply store.}
{Apply 1 coat of a good double duty (base and top coat) formula. I cheat and use Sally Hansen's No Chip Acrylic Top Coat as a base and finisher}
{Apply two coats of your nail color. For minimal streaks, start in the middle and work your way to the sides. If your polish is too thick, add a drop or two of polish remover to thin it out. Clean up any mistakes with a q-tip dipped in polish remover.}
{Finish with one last coat of your finishing top coat}
{Ooh La La LOVE ♥}
I try and find time once a week to do the full manicure. The entire process takes about 20 minutes. I normally change my polish once, between each time. I have been loving BRIGHT colors lately. :)
So tell me, what is your favorite nail color to wear? Do you do your own manicures at home?
Thanks for reading!
xoxo ♥