One of my favorite things to do is get my nails done professionally, its so relaxing! But it doesn’t always make sense to spend the extra $40 a week and sometimes I just don’t have the time. Here are some easy steps to complete your own at home mani/pedi.
First Step: Remove old nail polish. Even if you just have clear on, you want to work with clean nails. Adding more layers of polish makes it thick and easier to peel off. When it peels off it takes part of your nail with it. So remember, never pick off you polish! Start by filing your nails. You want to file from the side toward the center in one direction until you create your desired shape and length.
Second Step: To soften your cuticles, soak your nails in warm water. Soak 5 minutes for your hands and 10 minutes for your feet. Don’t use soap, it will cause your nails to dry out. Next, use a cuticle tool to push back your cuticles. You don’t want to cut them or push them back too far because this can cause infection. For your feet use a pumice stone or pumice bar to rub away any dry skin or callous.
Third Step: Use a nailbrush to remove any excess dirt. Wash hands/feet and dry with a clean towel. I always put lotion on next but make sure to not let it get on my nails. The oils from the lotion will keep your polish from sticking.
Last Step: Start with a base coat. It helps your polish go on smoothly and it will protect your nails from staining. After that dries, apply one or two coats of your color of choice. Keep the coats thin! After the color coat dries, apply a clear top coat. This helps your polish dry faster and will add a little shine.
To keep up with your mani/pedi I like to use this Burts Bee’s Cuticle Creme. Especially if you have dry cuticles and cracked fingers, this really helps! Also, apply the same top coat about every 2 days. It will help keep your polish from chipping and looking fresh!
