How-To: Do a Salon Manicure at Home

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 ♥