How to Give Your Nails a Beautiful Manicure
Painting your nails is one of the best ways to keep them looking beautiful. It's also a great way to save money and avoid the hassle of visiting a salon.
It's possible to achieve a salon-caliber manicure at home if you know the right tips and tricks. We tapped three professional manicurists to share their secrets and give us a step-by-step tutorial for an at-home manicure you'll love. Additional info found at красивый маникюр сделать самой.
1. Prep Your Nails
A beautiful manicure can make you feel and look great. But getting a professional one can be pricey and time-consuming.
Achieving a salon-caliber DIY manicure at home requires a few key nail grooming essentials. Follow these steps and you'll get an impressive manicure that lasts for days!
Before you start applying your polish, prep your nails. This will ensure that your nails are clean, free from dirt and oil, and ready to be painted.
To prep your nails, soak your hands in a solution of cuticle softener and water (the latter will help you push back your cuticles). Then, wipe each nail with a clean cotton pad to remove any excess oil.
Apply a thin layer of base coat to help nail polish adhere better and last longer. Choose a clear or an acid-free primer, such as OPI Natural Nail Base Coat or Essie Ridge Filling Base Coat.
2. Remove Cuticles
While cuticles may seem like a random part of the nail care process, they're actually an important part of the overall health of your nails. They sit atop your nails' growth matrix and serve as a protective barrier.
According to celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein, they’re also responsible for keeping bacteria and other troublesome pathogens out of your body. So you should really tend to them regularly for the best results, she says.
However, if you’re not a natural cuticle pusher, removing your cuticles and applying nail polish at home can be tricky. Luckily, there are plenty of DIY homemade methods you can use to remove cuticles safely and painlessly.
3. Apply Nail Polish
Before applying polish, make sure your nails are prepped with a base coat. This helps to strengthen and protect your nail plate so that the color is more resistant against chipping and peeling, says Glamour.
A top coat also helps your manicure last longer. It seals the surface of your nails and adds a beautiful shine.
After you have applied your base coat and top coat, you can apply your nail polish. Just be careful not to paint all the way to your cuticles or skin at the sides of your nails, as this can create a messy look and mess up your manicure.
Getting neat lines is extremely tricky, so be sure to add a layer of petroleum jelly or white school glue around your nails before painting. This will help shield your skin from the polish and make it easier to clean up if you get any mistakes or streaks.
4. Apply Top Coat
Top coat may seem like an extra step, but it's vital for your manicure to look polished and shiny. The clear coating seals your polish, prevents it from chipping, and helps keep the color looking fresh.
This product is a must have for anyone who regularly paints their nails, as it's an essential step to maintaining that salon-quality shine. It also protects your nails from damage and staining.
A good top coat dries quickly so you can get on with your day without worrying about your mani. Fast-drying formulas will dry as soon as you swipe them on, but if you're going to do any other activities with your nails, you'll want to wait at least two minutes before applying the next layer of polish.
5. Reapply Moisturizer
Using moisturizer on your nails is an important step in keeping them healthy and preventing them from becoming dry. It also helps keep your manicure from chipping or flaking and gives your hands a healthy glow. You can reapply the moisturizer at any time after applying it to keep your skin and nails hydrated. It should be applied in a thin layer to retain moisture and not be too thick. This way it will help retain the hydration of the water inside your skin rather than adding the extra water from the outside. Reapply the moisturizer as soon as it dries to get best results. It will also help in removing the nail polish that gets on your skin and cuticles. This will help in ensuring your manicure lasts longer.