Home Manicure

I've never been a fan of getting my nails done at the salons... 

It could probably be the fact that 90% of the time something goes wrong where they mess up my nails or the service just isn't up to par. 

So to avoid the hassle, I do my own manicures at home.

& trust me, 

it's the best thing you'll ever do. Plus, it saves you money in the long run instead of you having to pay a visit to the salon every week. 

So first things first, you need a decent nail kit that includes the following:
Tools
- Nail Clippers
- Cuticle Nippers
- Nail file - preferably crystal, avoid metal nail files as it's more prone to nail splitting
- Cuticle Pusher
- Nail Cleaner
- Nail buffer

Products
- Cuticle Remover
- Nail Coat - I use a nail strengthener  but a standard base coat will do (OR top coat if you don't plan on using polish atm)
- Cuticle Butter/lotion

Top Coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast

Colour: Butter London Bossy Boots

Base Coat: Essie Grow Stronger

How To:


After I remove my polish, start with the nail cleaner under your nails to get all the gunk out and any old nail polish residue. 



Cut your nails to the size you prefer, use the nipper to remove any hangnails - I sometimes use the nipper to remove ingrown and help reshape my nails as they grow out flat :( - and file out the rough edges


Once that's done, use the cuticle remover around your cuticles and wait the appropriate waiting time as each brand varies - this will help remove any dead skin cells around the cuticle, when removed it leaves it look nice and healthy



After it soaks in, use the nail pusher to, obv, push back your cuticles. Don't push back too hard, you need to clean it not rip off your skin... I also scrape off the top nail layer as it usually gets dyed from prolonged use of nail polish. - afterwards, buff out any rough spots on your nails




Once done wash your hands and nails with warm water and soap to remove any excess product giving yourself a clean nail to work with.




To make sure my nails are super clean, I like to wipe on nail polish remover to remove any excess oils - so the polish stays on longer, it's a similar concept as using 'Chip Skip' from OPI



Now put on your coat, I usually use a nail strengthener since my nails are so thin and VERY prone to breaking
Then, of course, put on your nail polish colour

TIP: 

First paint with your non dominant hand first. And then the dominant. 

It seems odd as you know that the non dominant will make the polish funky, but you'll notice that you will naturally attempt to make the other hand look the same. 

[It may not make sense, but it will when you] Try it!

Before you put on a top coat, what I like to do is wait a few minutes and then clean around my nails and cuticles with nail polish remover and Q-Tips to get a clean look, then I put on the top coat. 

Note: 

It would be more difficult if you did it the other way around since the top coat will seal and protect the colour... 

When your all dry, rub in your cuticle butter (if you have any) and your ready to go!




PS. I give myself a manicure every other polish colour/change, so roughly 2/3 times a month.