Frequent hand washing and cleaning utensils in the kitchen have left your nails dry and brittle. You could use a manicure right about now, but salons are closed because of the lockdown. Does that mean you will have to see your hands get drier and nails become more brittle each day? Not at all! With a DIY manicure, you can make your nails healthy once again!
Don’t know where to begin or what to do? Leave that to us. In this article, we will give a step-by-step guide on how to do a manicure at home.
Step 01: Remove previous nail polish
First, remove every bit of the current nail polish you have on your fingernails. If possible, use a non-acetone nail polish remover as it is gentle on your nails and do not leave a white residue behind.
Step 02: Cut and file
Clip your nails if they’ve grown longer than you desire and shape them using a filer. A rounded or square nail shape is ideal, but you can go with anything that works for you. If you have a buffer, buff the top and sides for a smooth look.
Step 03: Soak and scrub
The next step is to soak your hands for two to three minutes in a bowl with warm water. This will soften the skin and nails and prepare them for the next step. Take a small amount of body scrub or mix sugar with coconut oil and exfoliate your hands to remove dead skin. Rinse and pat dry.
Step 04: Apply cuticle oil and moisturiser
The chemicals in your hand wash and nail polish can leave your cuticles dry, causing them to peel. You can apply a few drops of olive or argan oil on it if you don’t have cuticle oil. Massage for a few minutes or until it gets absorbed. Follow it up with a moisturiser, massage your fingers and hands for a few minutes to moisture and soften them.
Step 06: Apply nail polish
Now that you are at home, it would be wise to give your nails a break from nail polish. But if you do decide to apply one, do it now as the final step. Make sure you use a light shade, as darker hues tend to stain the nails. And don’t forget to apply a base coat to prevent the nails from staining.
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