Homemade Manicure

Personally speaking, a manicure is best done at the beauty salon. Nothing can compare to the luxury of getting yourself pampered at the hands of a professional. Maybe I am plain lazy, but for those busy women on the go, this may not always be possible. Or maybe you think you can’t really brace the traffic and push through the sea of people to reach your salon; all for a basic manicure! Well, hands are also an extension of your personality and well-manicured hands can speak volumes about your sense of fashion and personal hygiene as well! Need to know some tips about a homemade manicure? Read on to know a step-by-step guide for beautiful and elegant hands.

Steps for a Homemade Manicure:
What you will need-

• Warm water
• Nail clippers/nail scissor
• Orange stick
• Moisturizing soap or mild facial cleanser
• Moisturizing cream
• Towel
• Olive oil or lemon juice
• Nailbrush and polish
• Emery board

How to go about the process:
First you need to remove the old nail polish layer thoroughly. For that, wet a cotton pad with the polish remover and hold this on the nails for a few seconds so that the polish dissolves into the solution. Wipe this away in an outward sweeping motion. This would keep the cuticles clean.

Next, wash your hands with warm water and use a luxurious, moisturizing soap. A mild facial scrub would work wonders for rough hands. Once done, pat hands dry with a soft towel.

When it comes to the length of the nail, try to keep it mid length or short and oval in shape. Long nails are also great but it also depends on how comfortable you are with the same. Clip the nails to a length slightly longer than the one you desire. This is because you need to file the nails to the desired length; use the emery board for this process. Always ensure you keep away from metal files as these can hurt your nails. For filing, begin from the outer corners to the tips. Avoid a back and forth motion. This would only make your nails look jagged.

Soak hands in a bowl full of warm water and add 1-2 tbsp. of lemon juice or olive oil to this. This combination would soften hands and cuticles. Soak your hands for approximately 5-10 minutes. Use a nailbrush to clean the nails.

Once you are through with the cleaning, apply some cuticle cream to the cuticles. You need to massage the entire hand with moisturizing lotion in a circular motion. (Use the thumb of the other hand) A massage would help in the blood circulation.

Use the orange stick and gently push back cuticles. Avoid clipping the cuticles as this might give you an infection. Use a small pair of nail scissors to clip off any hang nails. Excess cream can be wiped off with the help of the nail polish remover.

Now you need to choose your nail color. Dark colors can make your nails appear shorter but are difficult to maintain on a daily basis. If you do not have the time for touch ups then go in for lighter shades since these will match any and every outfit on a regular basis.

The application of the nail polish should always begin from the center of the nail with one stroke. Use two more strokes on the side and do not use more than the required polish on the brush. Allow at least a minute for it to set and then you can begin with your second coat. Use these steps for a homemade manicure on a regular basis to have beautiful and soft hands forever.