HOME MANICURE Learn how to give Yourself an Inexpensive At Home Manicure As a former licensed manicurist I know all the ins and outs of great nail service.  Here are step-by-step instructions for a wonderful service you can do anytime, in the privacy of your own home.

HOME MANICURE Step 1: To begin your at home manicure, start applying an exfoliating scrub to your hands and wrists. Rub it all around thoroughly, paying special attention to the cuticle area, then rinse.  Pat hands dry.

HOME MANICURE Step 2: File nails into desired shape.

HOME MANICURE Step 3: Place your fingertips in a bowl of warm water.  Set a timer for five minutes.  This will soften your cuticles. Please do not skip this step.  It is so important that cuticles are pliable so that you can push them back and remove any loose skin or skin stuck to the nail plate.

HOME MANICURE Step 4: Pat hands dry and apply cuticle remover.  Using a cuticle pusher (I like the pumice stone type) gently push back cuticles. Using a clean cuticle nipper, nip any loose skin that you can’t get off with the cuticle pusher.  Only nip skin that is hanging, do not, I repeat, do not, cut all your cuticles off with the nipper. Your cuticles protect your nail bed from bacteria and other germs.  You need your cuticles!  Nightly use of hand lotion or cuticle cream will keep your cuticles in check and you will never have to cut them. Use a washcloth to wipe cuticle cream off.

HOME MANICURE Step 5: Apply a thick conditioning hand lotion (a formula with shea butter would be nice) and massage hands thoroughly.  Be sure to rub in between each finger in the web area, as this skin can get very dry.  Pay special attention to cuticles, massaging cream into each nail bed.

HOME MANICURE Step 6: Use a non-acetone nail polish remover to go over each nail, removing all residue of the hand cream from the nail plate.  You may want to go over each nail twice.  Nail polish will not adhere properly if your nail surface is at all oily.  If you have a problem with chipping you might want to apply a product such as OPI Bond Aid to help polish adhere.

HOME MANICURE Step 7: Apply a base coat.  If you have problem nails find a base coat that addresses your particular issue.

HOME MANICURE Step 8: Apply two coats of nail color.  For best results wait 10 minutes between coats. When applying polish place one stroke down the middle, then one on each side.

HOME MANICURE Step 9: Apply a top coat. You might want to use fast drying drops or spray, especially if you tend to smudge.  Remember that your polish won’t be truly set up for about an hour.

See how easy it is to give your self the spa treatment at home? And think of all the money you will save in the process.  Beautiful fingernails are as easy as one-two-three when you follow these steps for the best at home manicure.  Now go out and show off your nails to the world!

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Article Written By:  Laura Miller; Laura is a beauty and health/wellness/fitness writer living in Atlanta, Ga. Her many years in the salon and spa business served as a springboard for her next career move as a full-time writer. She now writes articles for DivaVillage.com and their sister-site VillageMAMA.com.