DIY Home Manicures
You guys asked for it, and now it’s finally here!
My complete DIY guide to the perfect at home manicure! I’ve got a complete step-by-step guide complete with pictures to help you perfect your manicure technique! I paint my nails every week, pretty much without fail. I just feel more like myself when my nails are painted, and I’ve tried a bazillion nail polishes to find the ones that work best for me. The other great thing about this, is take the same steps and use them on your toes for a great looking pedi! I’ll link my favorite polishes too, so you can easily check them out!
Mani Prep
Here’s what you will need:
-Emery board/ nail file
-Buffing block
-Cuticle nippers
-Manicure sticks
-Nail polish and top coat of choice
Step 1. File your nails! I always file down the sides of the nail to help with hangnails, then round the corners a bit and across the tops. I prefer a “rounded square” or “squo-val” shape to my nails rather than a blunt square.
Step 2. After filing, rinse your hands with warm water and dry. Then take a pair of cuticle nippers and trim down the excess skin around the nail bed corners and along the cuticle. Also great to dig out any low-growing hangnails!
*I don’t soak my nails before painting because it can expand your nail beds and possibly cause more chipping, so just a slight moistening [cringe] of the skin is all you need for this step!*
Step 3. Use a buffing block and lightly sand the surfaces of the nail and the ends of your nails.
Painting & Final Touches
Step 4. Now you’re ready to paint! Begin by painting down each of the sides of your nail, and finish with the final swipe up the center of your nail bed!
It’s better to apply a lighter coat multiple times than to do one thick coat. So I wait a couple minutes, then reapply a second coat in the same fashion!
If you have any cleanup you need to do around the nail on your skin or cuticle, I use wooden manicure sticks to clean it up!
Step 5. Time for top coat! A good top coat really makes or breaks your manicure. When using the Essie Gel couture line, you have to use the corresponding top coat. When I use Olive and June, I use their matching topcoat as well. I’ve linked other top coats below that I love for any nail polish brand!
Apply top coat in the same fashion as the polish, taking it up each side of the nail, and finishing up the middle.
*Pro tip! Re-apply your top coat on the third day after applying your manicure to keep it fresh and strong!*
Last step! I always finish with a cuticle oil (I’ve linked several options below), because it really makes a difference in moisturizing your fresh manicure. Once rubbed in a bit, I apply a bit of hand lotion and pamper my hands with some of that. Voila! You’ve given yourself a full manicure, right at home and for a fraction of the cost of regular nail appointments!
Certain nail lines such as the Essie Gel Couture and the Sally Hansen Gel dry quickly, so you don’t have to worry about damaging them quickly. The Seche Gel Effect Top Coat also dries very quickly for mani/pedis on the go!
Here are some of my favorite polish brands! They include the Essie Gel Couture as used above, Olive and June polishes, OPI, regular Essie and the Seche Vive top coat. I’ve linked most of them below, and you can purchase Olive and June polishes here.
Hopefully these steps and picture guides will help you on your next home manicure to really perfect your technique! If you have any questions feel free to leave them below, and I’ll be happy to answer them!
xo, Chelsea