DIY at Home Manicures

Stuck at Home? Don’t Let Your Nails Suffer, too!

Well, here we are again. With the loom of self-isolation about to expand to the whole month of April, many of us are trying to figure out this new normal. One thing I wish I had done before everything was closed? Went to the nail salon and got a mani/pedi. Thank goodness we don’t have to go anywhere but they are scary looking! But, have no fear – we have some great tips for you on home DIY manicures and pedicures.

First, what are the essential tools you need? There are many sites out there that want you to have every tool that you would have at a salon, but let’s face it… I’m not going out right now to buy anything. Here are the tools we found most useful that most people would have at home.

• Nail file
• Buffer
• Basecoat/Topcoat Clear Nail Polish
• Clippers
• Nail Polish
• Nail Polish Remover
• Moisturizer
• Small Bowl
• Body wash/face cleanser

Want to keep your supplies looking good? Use one of these to help get your items organized and easy to reach at all times!

Second, you will need to remove any old nail polish. If you happen to have gel or powder dip on, you will need to soak cotton balls in acetone remover and then put them on your nails with foil wrapped around it. Let is sit for 30 min – yes, 30 mins. In the salon, they don’t have time to let them soak this long but you do have the time at home. Amiright??

Third, shape your nails. Ok – this is where I struggle. I cannot shape my nails for my life. I just pretend and get them to a decent shape and call it day. I am so jelly of anybody who can do this well! You go, Glenn Coco!

Fourth, fill your small bowl with warm water and some soap. I used baby soap but use whatever you have on hand. Again, let your hands soak in there. At the salon, it is about 5 mins but at home take as much time as you want!

Fifth, and OPTIONAL step – if you have clippers and cuticle remover you can do this now. I don’t so I just pushed my cuticles back with my other hand.

Sixth, time to moisturize! My hands have been so dry lately. Ummm, maybe it’s that I wash my hands 100x a day right now. I use a mix of Vaseline and regular moisturizer. Whatever you have, lather it on generously. Then let is sit in for a bit and use your nail polish remover to get any access off your nails.

Seventh, it’s time to paint! Start with a thin layer basecoat. Once that is semi dry, move onto 2 layers of color, and then finish with a topcoat.

There ya go! An at-home DIY manicure!

Laura Sirk is a Marketing Manager at mDesign
and loves all things organization and cats. I’m one cat away from being a cat lady. MEOW!

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