Manicures are a great way to groom your hands. In the past manicures were associated with a luxury beauty treatment. However, with today’s over-the-counter beauty products, you can easily give yourself an at home manicure for a few dollars.

Step-by-step Manicure at Home Step #1 – Gather the Things That You Will Need

To give yourself a manicure at home you will need several items. You will need a non-acetone nail polish remover, nail file, nail polish, clear coat, emery board, cotton balls, cuticle oil, cuticle remover, a small pair of scissors, a small bowl, a manicure trimmer and pusher, hand cream, and nail polish base coat (optional). If you have a little extra money available, you may also want to buy a nail dryer.

Step-by-step Manicure at Home Step #2 – Prep Your Nails

Before you can start your manicure you need to clean and shape your nails. Start by cleaning your nails with a non-acetone nail polish remover. This will not only remove your nail polish, but it will also remove the nature oils from your nails. If your nails are long then you will want to trim them straight across and then file down the edges to create the shape that you want. If your nails are short then all you will need to do is file them down to the correct shape.

Step-by-step Manicure at Home Step #3 – Go for a Dip

The next step is to soak your fingertips in a small bowl of warm water and mild cleanser. Allow your fingers to soak for about 5 minutes.

Step-by-step Manicure at Home Step #4 – Care for Your Cuticles

Next you will want to take care of your cuticles. First rub them with cuticle remover and then wipe the excess off. Next you will want to massage in some cuticle oil into your cuticles. Use your cuticle pusher to push the cuticle back. This will help to promote nail growth.

Step-by-step Manicure at Home Step #5 – Moisturize Your Hands

After you have taken care of your cuticles your next step will be moisturize your hands. Make sure that you rub the lotion or cream into your hands, fingertips, nails, cuticles, and forearms.

Step-by-step Manicure at Home Step #6 – Polish

Before you apply nail polish you may want to dab a little nail polish remover on a cotton ball and clean your nails once more. This will help to remove any grease from your moisturizing cream from your nails and help the nail polish to stick to your nails better. Next apply a thin base coat of your nail polish, or use a base coat product. Allow your fingertips to dry. Then apply a thin layer of nail polish. Allow your fingers to dry. Apply another coat. Allow it to dry. Finish with a clear coat polish. This will give your nails added strength and help to prevent chipping and peeling.

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