How to Give Yourself a Manicure at Home

There is something about a beautiful manicure that just looks and feels elegant, but the cost of salon manicures can really add up over the course of a year! If you want to save time and money on manicures, you’ll need our essential steps for a DIY manicure at home—for a fraction of the cost!

1. Trim hangnails

Using small nail scissors, clean up any ragged skin around the nail. Do not cut cuticles (the delicate area where the skin meets the nail), as they help protect the nail bed from infection.

Soften rough skin

Soak hands in a basin of warm whole milk for several minutes. The lactic acid in milk helps remove dead cells and soften cuticles; the natural fats help replenish dry skin.

3. Push back cuticles

Using an angle-tipped nail stick, gently push the cuticles back toward the base of the nail, clearing the nail surface for buffing.

4. Shape nails

Using a nail file, shape nails into squares with rounded corners, which makes them more resistant to cracks and tears. To avoid misshapen or split nails, file in one direction only -- no sawing back and forth.

5. Buff nails to a shine

Using a smooth-surfaced buffing block or buffing disk (not a filing block, which will scuff nails), buff the entire surface of nails using a side-to-side motion.

6. Moisturize and massage

As a final step, rub hands with warm almond oil, avocado oil, or light olive oil, or apply an oil-rich hand and nail cream. Pay particular attention to the nail and cuticle areas.

7.Apply Nail Paint

Apply Nail Paint beautifully for the salon finished look. Choose the one that goes well with your skin tone.

The Right Stuff

All the tools you need to give yourself a quick and easy manicure are right here. Most are available at drugstores and beauty-supply stores, as well as online.

Small nail scissors
Whole milk
Angled nail stick
Nail file
Buffing block
Hand and nail cream or warm oil
Nail Paint