How-To: Do a Salon Manicure at Home

August 10, 2010

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}



{Use your favorite scrub and vigorously scrub and rub your hands. I LOVE Freeman Bare Foot Revitalizing Foot Scrub with Lemon and Sage.  Smells yummy and leaves my hands/feet so soft!}





{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 ♥

17 comments

  1. I am glad you posted this because I have been thinking I need to do my own manicures! I would much rather take that money and buy an article of clothing:-)

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  2. omg girl....I love this!!!! This was like the best post in a long time! SO detailed, great pics! Im def gonna try it, thanku

    XOXO~SAMILLE
    please stop by
    http://thickdaddys.blogspot.com/

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  3. I will admit this one process I don't take my time on. I really need to start so my nails can look much better!! I love all the bright nail colors you have.

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  4. oo I love this! May have to sit down and give it a go. My favourite nail colour is hot pink! I love it.

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  5. AMAZING process.. thanks for showing us exactly what to do, now I know I can do it. :) I love your blog, it's one of my favs.

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  6. Lovely post!!!! thanks... you need to do more tutorials!!!

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  7. Oh yes! I have to try this at home, you make it look too easy. I love the color you chose. My favorite manicure color is PINK. Can't get enough. :-D

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  8. I do, do my own nails. Recently found out about glue on nails as a dup for salon acrylics. I have a full range of nail polish colors from classic red to lime green, pinks to grey.

    You gave very good advice on manicures. I love your site, you are so cute and can never wait to see what you have put together.

    You are an inspiration.

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  9. Hey! I do my manicure at home 2 so you gave me some great tips! Thanks! :)

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  10. So inspired by this post!!! DO MORE tutorials please! ;)

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  11. Lexy you rock...I will be trying this this weekend, as I am an epic fail at keeping my nail game together...toes yes nails working in progress...thanks...Kim

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  12. Seriously the best tutorial I've seen on manicures!! thanks for sharing, you are such a doll baby! I will start doing my own manicures at home! :)

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  13. i just found this and it is so helpful! i have a dance tomorrow and cant get a mani or pedi so this is saving my life!! im definately going for a bright color too cuz i have a zebra dress. Thanks a million!!!!!!!!!

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  14. You've encouraged me to do manicures @ home and I love it! My 2 year old diva in training loves it too!

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  15. Love this post! Thanks so much. ♥

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  16. Girl, I will now start doing my own manicures! Great post!

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  17. Your blog is so informative. Keep up the great work !

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