A manicure is a lovely treat. Take time every week to give yourself a manicure.
The Perfect Manicure at Home
Step 1: Essential tools.
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Nail-polish remover and cotton swabs or pads
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Nail clippers
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Emery board and nail buffer
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Cuticle pusher/ orange wood stick
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Callous/cuticle remover
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Hand/nail moisturiser
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Base coat
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Nail polish
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Clear topcoat
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Kitchen towel
Step 2: Remove any previously applied nail polish.
When you are at the pharmacy and wondering which type of polish remover to buy, keep this in mind: Non-acetone nail polish removers are gentler than acetone-based ones but the acetone-based remover will work faster so will have less contact. Wash hands at this point with soap and water .
Step 3: Shape nails.
Clip your nails, if necessary, then gently file them into shape. A slightly rounded nail shape or square-rounded edge is generally the best way to go but you can be as creative as you want.
Avoid metal or extremely coarse nail files to minimise splintering. Instead, choose a gently abrasive emery board or crystal nail file. Smooth the tops and sides of the nails to ensure an even surface.
Step 4: Place your hands in a bowl of warm (not too hot) water and add a bit of your gentle shampoo to the water. Soaking the cuticle before trimming is crucial, limit this step to three minutes or less.
Step 5: Apply a little cuticle remover.
Using a orange wood stick - gently push the excess cuticle back. Avoid cutting if possible, or pushing the cuticle back aggressively, because it can damage nail growth or fray the cuticle.
Be careful NOT to pull, lift, tear, rip, force, or cut into the cuticle in any way. Do NOT clip into the cuticle; merely nip off the free edge with a pair of metal cuticle nippers. It's better to under-do this step than to overdo it because the cuticle helps protect the nail bed from all sorts of problems.
Step 6: Moisturise.
Massage a rich body butter, moisturising body balm, or silky, fragrance-free oil into the cuticles and all over the hands to hydrate and replenish skin.
Step 7: Prep for polish.
Moisturising ingredients left on the nail will prevent polish from adhering properly. Using a cotton swab or pad, apply nail-polish remover over the nail's surface to remove any residue. Although it helps to avoid getting remover on the cuticle because you want to keep that area moisturised, don't worry if you do because you're going to apply moisturiser on your nails again once the polish is dry. The most important part of this step is to be sure the nail has absolutely nothing oily or emollient left on it.
Step 8: Paint nails in layers.
Apply a base coat to protect nails from staining (especially important if you prefer dark nail polish) and prevents chipping. Next, apply your colour polish in layers, allowing each layer to dry between coats. Two coats of colour polish followed by a top coat to add gloss should do the trick.
If you're new at painting nails, use a lighter shade of polish; any mistakes will be less noticeable! Also have a small thin brush to hand which you can dip in the nail polish remover to allow you remove any stray bits of polish like a pro.
Tip: Take a few minutes to touch up your manicure every other day with a single layer of top coat. This can make all the difference in keeping up that "from the salon" appearance and durability.
Check for and clean up any mistakes—and you're almost done! It takes time for nails to fully dry, so be patient. A fan helps, but don’t use heat (like from your blow dryer) or the polish will chip and peel. Also, don’t put your nails too close to the fan’s airflow or you’ll end up with bubbles in your polish.
Step 9: Reapply moisturiser!
Keeping your hands and the nail area healthy-looking requires moisturiser.
As you master the manicure , you can give yourself a pedicure. If you need product get in touch .
OPI Manicure at home. https://youtu.be/ZFFx0jpaxZY
If you have any queries re your nails , please get in touch. We are happy to advise over the phone or via email .
Gel Removal Kit
Everything you need for effortless removal of gel polish or nail extensions at home, including a simple to follow, step by step guide to ensure at home removal is as easy as possible. Contact reception on 012300255 to find out more.
