How to do your own nails
for gel-nails.com
If you want to learn how to do your own nails, here are some tips and tricks for the perfect at-home manicure!
While the nail salon is currently not an option, learning how to do your own nails may seem tedious and stressful. However, an at-home manicure is a great selfcare activity that will save you money and time. From prepping your nails to which designs to choose, here are some easy tips and tricks for a DIY manicure that will have your friends asking where you got your nails done!
Doing Your Own Nails: Prepping for Perfection
When it comes to doing your own nails, the simplest steps can be forgettable. By following this guide, you will have a greater understanding of the dos and don’ts in nail care.
Clean your nails. Prepping your nails may be just as important as polishing them. First, it is key to have fresh nails and hands before you get started, so cleaning them is a must. Using nail polish remover should be the first step; starting off with a fresh nail bed is ideal, and it will not only remove polish but also any extra dirt and oils that may have been sitting on the nails throughout the day.
Shape and smooth. After they are wiped down, your nails should be the desired shape you choose before they are polished. This is when you want to file and buff your nails to perfection, shaping them as you prefer. Buffing your nails is especially essential as it will create a smooth surface for the polish to lay flat on, so buying a nail buffer if you don’t already have one is necessary. Plus, they are super cheap!
Remove those cuticles! Take care of your cuticles by using a cuticle remover before pushing them back with a tool. This is a useful step as removing your cuticles will get rid of any dead skin on your nail beds, and it will lengthen your nails to promise a more professional finish.
Hand care is just as important. Your hands need to look like they deserve the beautifully perfected nails they are about to receive. Washing your hands and scrubbing them with an exfoliant will remove any dead skin that’s been sitting on the surface. While this will make your hands feel extra smooth and soft, it is important to then go in with a moisturizer to avoid rash and irritation from the scrubbing. Moisturize your hands and cuticles, and dry them off.
Now you’re ready to really get started!
How to Paint Your Nails
Painting your nails seems like a simple task. That can’t be further from the truth! We understand, so this is how you can paint your nails comparable to salon quality, with no smudges, no painted skin, and no having to start over.
Paint on the base coat. This step is crucial, but is often forgotten about: the base coat. A clear base coat is so important to a manicure because it prevents chipping of the colored polish, and it hydrates and livens your nails. Apply and air dry before you move on.
Choose a color and apply. The best part of a manicure, DIY or professional, is choosing the color. Pick a color that speaks to you, and then apply a thin first layer on each nail. Make sure you don’t overload the brush with polish as that will only create lumps and unnecessary mess. There should be just enough polish on the brush to cover just one nail at a time. After painting each nail, leave them alone for two minutes to dry. Once they are dry, go back in and apply a second coat of colored polish for a harmonious appearance.
Apply the top coat to finish. To protect chipping and for a shiny finish, apply a top coat onto your now dry painted nails. This will make your nails last longer, and the shine will only cause positive feedback from your friends!
End your new nail routine by letting your nails dry and cleaning up any nail polish residue on the skin. Now you have perfect nails to brighten your day!
Nail Painting Ideas
Want something a little more bold? We got you covered: here are a couple of nail painting ideas and designs that you can do if you have a little more time on your hands.
Bedazzle your beds! Have some extra rhinestones lying around leftover from an old arts and crafts project? Put them to use by applying one or two to the base of each nail, making your manicure feel expensive, even though it’s free! For a more toned-down look, adding just a few rhinestones only to one nail on each hand will make a statement, but will still prove class.
The classic French mani. There’s nothing more elegant than a French manicure, and this is the perfect time to perfect it at home! After your blush colored nails dry (or a color of your choice for a modernized version), gently go in with white nail polish and place a thin horizontal line on the tip of each nail. Do a second layer after each nail dries, and finish your manicure as you would with a top coat.
We hope that you apply these ideas and tips when you take on your home manicure. By following each step, you are bound to see mouths drop each time you confess that they are DIY!
