How To Give Yourself A Manicure (Natural Nails)

How To Give Yourself A Manicure (Natural Nails)

The Basic Tools of the Trade:

Cotton Balls/Cotton Rounds
Nail Polish Remover
Nail Files/Emery Boards
Orange Stick (cuticle pusher)
Cuticle Softener
Cuticle Nipper

A bowl of warm, sudsy water
Nailbrush
Moisturizing lotion
Base Coat and/or Nail Polish
Top Coat
Cuticle Oil

Step By Step Manicure Instructions

Remove Polish: Wipe the nail bed with polish remover. For stubborn polish rub it a little or place a saturated round/ball on top and hold it there for a few seconds, then wipe off.

File Your Nails: You should do this before you soak your nails so as not to damage or file too much of the nail away. Your nails get soft after soaking them in water. You should use a softer grit to file natural nails. Do not file deep into the sides of the nail tip as this will weaken a natural nail.

Cuticle Softener: Apply cuticle softener to the cuticle area. This may burn a bit if you have any small cuts or are sensitive to the product. Let it soak in for a minute two.

Soak: Soak your nails in warm, soapy water for about 4 minutes. You don't want to get that wrinkly-raisin skin on your fingertips, but you should be able to soften the cuticle that needs to be removed that is still attached to the nailbed.

Push Cuticles Back: Gently push you cuticles back and dislodge excess cuticle from the nailbed using an Orange Stick or Cuticle Pusher. Just be careful when pushing your cuticles back because you can damage your nail matrix which is where the nails are produced. You don't want to risk damaging the matrix or future nail growth can be compromised.

Scrub: With a soft nail brush, gently scrub your cuticle area to thoroughly remove the remaining loosened excess cuticle.

Moisturize: Massage a good moisturizer into the cuticle area and into the nail bed.

Nipping Hangnails: Use a cuticle nipper to remove excess cuticle or hangnails. Do not pull hangnails off as this can cause them to "run" and cause injury. Ascertain sure the nipper is sharp enough to remove skin cleanly.

Buffing: Use a buffer to smooth ridges and add sheen to your nails. Warning: Be careful when you buff, it may get hot from the friction and will burn your nails. not to mention it hurts!

Polish Remover: If you plan on using a top coat or nail polish of any type, you must remove the excess oils and lotions you have added to the nailbed or the polish will not adhere. Apply polish remover to a cotton ball and wipe each nail. This will provide a nice smooth base for your polish.

Basecoat: Not everyone uses a basecoat but they do have a purpose. Creative Nail has a good product called Sticky but any good-quality, base coat will do. Apply one coat of the basecoat working from the cuticle to the free edge (tip) of the nail. Let dry for a bit.

Polish: Roll the bottle of polish back and forth between your hands or fingers to mix. Shaking a bottle of polish actually makes minute bubbles in the polish which will surface on your nails as it dries. Dip the brush once in the bottle, drag along the inner side of the bottle lip to remove excess polish if need be. Sweep the polish on from the top center of the nail bed to the free edge and then one sweep to each side of the nail. Two coats should do it. This results in a smooth distribution of polish. Also this way excess polish isn't deposited on the side edge of the nail. This may take some practice but it comes in time. Remove the excess polish you may have accidentally gotten on your skin or cuticle area with a cotton swab dipped in polish remover.

Topcoat: After your polish has dried, apply a good-quality topcoat, like OPI Topcoat or similar. Apply it as you did the polish. This gives your polish protection and adds shine. You can add a coat of clear polish every other day to prolong the life of the manicure/polish.

Nail Oil: A rich oil like almond or shea but oil, or commercially available oil such as Solarnail Nail Oil (by Creative Nail), are great products to keep your cuticles moisturized and healthy. Apply the oil only to the cuticle barrier of your nail for soft, healthy, hangnail-free nails!

Hand Cream: Let the oil soak in a bit and then moisturize your hands with a good quality hand cream or moisturizing lotion. Be careful to to hit your nails. Some people do this step at the same time as moisturizing the nail bed and cuticles. Whatever you find preferable.