How to Get The Perfect At Home Manicure
As a born and raised New Yorker, I love a great manicure for under $15. However, after moving to LA, I soon discovered this price is not the usual. Gel manicures are the staple in my new city, ranging from $40 and up. When quarantine hit, I decided it was finally time to learn how to do my own nails. While I can’t wait for my next trip to New York, I wanted to share my best tips to get that perfect at home manicure.
Here are my tips and tricks for the perfect at home mani:
Start with clean nails and make sure to get all of the old polish off.
Wash your hands and clean under your nails.
Carefully cut and file each nail.
Don’t cut your cuticles. It’s easy to tear and rip your cuticles, so buff them instead. My cuticles grow out more when I cut them, so I stick with cutting just the hang nails.
Moisturize your hands and add a cuticle serum if you have one.
Start with a base coat. This will prevent the polish from seeping into the nails.
For each layer of polish, give them two minutes to dry. I like to do three coats of polish for a bright look, so be patient!
Add fun nail stickers! Olive and June have the cutest nail stickers. I bought the Loveliest Day pack and they were super easy to use. See below for their adorable packaging 💝Make sure to let your nails fully dry before this step, or the stickers can mush the polish.
Finish with a top coat to prevent future chipping and seal in nail stickers.
Remove the smudges using a small paint brush and nail polish remover.
Allow the top coat to dry for 20+ minutes and make sure to be patient!
Once dry, wash your hands again and reapply moisturizer for the perfect manicure!
How cute are these nail stickers from Olive and June!? My new favorites.
After a few weeks of practice, and lots of patience, I’m really happy with my new nail painting skills. Now is a great time to master the art of the at home manicure. It saves money and prevents the risk of getting sick. I even find painting my own nails to be very therapeutic, especially because it forces me to sit still between every coat and for at least 20 minutes after.
Tips for Growing Long Nails
Stop chewing your nails: I was an avid nail biter as a kid. The ONLY thing that stopped this gross habit was the nail biter polish. This clear polish tastes disgusting and is the simplest way to stop chewing your nails.
Wear polish: Consistently wearing nail polish has actually helped my nails grow longer. I don’t wear gels, but even so I found that I am less inclined to pick or chew, and they definitely break less.
File rather than cut: Instead of cutting my nails between manicures, I would carefully file them. The best way to file is in long sweeping strokes. This helps prevent jagged edges and helps your nails grow longer and stronger.
Use a strengthening top coat: Essie has a few different top coat options, but I love their speed setter formula. It is super easy to apply with the large brush and makes my manicures last.
What are your tips and tricks for a great at home manicure? I would love to hear in the comments below! 😘
