How to Manicure Your Own Nails
If you want to learn how to manicure your own nails, you´ll be glad to know that it´s easy and enjoyable. You can achieve salon quality results at home using some of the same techniques and products the pros use. If you´ve ever had a professional manicure, then you might have an idea about what these products are. If not, read on. You´ll learn not only what products you need but how to use them.
The first step is to clean the nails. If you have old polish on, it will need to be removed with nail polish remover. There are two basic varieties — acetone and non-acetone. As a rule, non-acetone is the most gentle on the nails and the only kind that can be used on artificial nails. Next, remove the nail polish remover odor and add moisture by soaking the hands in warm sudsy water. After hands are dry, apply moisturizer to hands and nails. This step is made especially luxurious by the use of a manicure warmer which heats the lotion to the ideal temperature.
You will want to utilize your nail polish remover one more time. Wiping each nail with remover gets rid of the oily film left behind from the lotion and preps the nail surface for polish. Before you polish, however, you´ll want to shape. Use an emery board to file the nails in one direction to avoid snags. Squoval, which is a hybrid of square and oval, is the most popular and universally flattering shape for nails. When it comes to length, shorter is better. Long nails look dated and are difficult to work with and maintain. Many women do prefer to leave enough length for a good French manicure, which would be about 1/4 inch or so, perhaps a bit longer.
 By gisele13
After shaping, the next step is to apply the base coat. Apply one coat and allow it to dry completely before moving on. After the clear coat is dry, apply two coats of colored polish, allowing each one to dry before proceeding. The final step is a protective clear coat. Some women like to follow their manicures with nail oil or fast dry spray. Now that you know how to manicure your own nails, what are you waiting for? Attractive nails can boost your confidence and help you look and feel your very best!
