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We’ve all been there asking the same questions. When should I schedule my nail appointment? Are my nails going to last until the event? It is never too late to learn how to do your own nails. Learn here how to easily get a DIY Home Manicure in only 10 steps! Going to the salon is expensive. How much do you usually spend, $40 + tip, or maybe more? Also, catching an infection at the salon can be really easy. The solution is simple, do it yourself with your own tools.
Continue reading to find a stress-free option to get your manicure done for a better price, infection-free, and at any time you want. Follow the steps below, and you’ll get new nails and some me-time and wellness benefits for your body.
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For this easy DIY Home Manicure, we will use the following tools: regular nail file, cuticle nipper, cuticle pusher, cuticle remover oil, nail buffer, cotton balls, nail polish remover, base, top coat, and any nail polish color you want.
Make sure to disinfect your manicure set with alcohol before and after every use. This will prevent infections and make your tools last longer. If you want to use more tools or play with different ones, please go ahead! You can purchase a manicure set at any CVS or Walgreens for about $10-14.
Let’s dive in! I’ve added videos from my channel @NailsMovement on YouTube to give you a better understanding of each step.
Step 1- Remove Nail Polish
Ignore this step if your nails don’t have nail polish on them. Otherwise, pour some nail polish remover onto a cotton ball and gently remove the nail polish until your nails are thoroughly cleaned.
Step 2- File Your Nails
There are two main types of nail shapes when it comes to filing. The first is the square shape, where you file the external borders of your nail in a straight line with no angles. The square shape is ideal for someone who uses their hands a lot since the nails won’t break that easily because they are shaped in a strong form. Square shapes work great for wide nails because they usually make the nail look smaller.
The second shape is almond or oval. The almond nail is one of the most used shapes by women because it makes the fingers look longer and more sophisticated. However, if you use your hands a lot, be careful with this shape as it will be easy to break your nails due to the angles of the oval form. We’ll see a video of how to shape your nails using the square form. Do not be discouraged on the first attempt, after all this may be your first DIY Home Manicure and it will take some time and practice. See below.
Step 3- Apply Cuticle Remover
To gently remove the cuticles, we will use the cuticle pusher and the cuticle nipper tools (steps 5 & 6). Before we cut the cuticles we need to prepare the skin to prevent any damage to both the cuticle and the nail. Apply a small amount of cuticle remover oil on each nail and let it sit for around one minute. I like to apply the oil on the edge of the nail as well to remove any unwanted dry skin.
Step 4- Polish Your Nails
Using a nail buffer, softly buffer your nails to remove debris from Step #2, Nail Filing. This step also helps smoothen the nail for a better finish when applying the nail polish color at the end.
Step 5- Push Cuticles Back
Gently, and I repeat, gently because this may be your first DIY Home Manicure, push your cuticles backward to free the nail from the extra dry and old skin and give space to the new nail. This step will help make your nails look longer and cleaner. After many years of experience, I push my cuticles with more confidence, but if this is your first time, you want to take precautions not to hurt yourself.
Step 6- Remove Cuticles
If this is your first time using your manicure set and getting a DIY Home Manicure, be careful with the cuticle nipper tool because it may be sharp. Start on the cuticle’s exterior side and cut the cuticle until you reach the inside border of the nail. If you are more experienced, you will want to remove the dry skin from the sides of the nail. Taking the extra time to remove dry skin, especially if you have not done your nails in a long time, will give your hands a fresh look, and your nails will look longer and cleaner.
Step 7- Wash Your Hands
We’re almost there! Please wash your hands to remove dirt and debris. You can also use a spray filled with water. Dry your hands with a towel afterward. We will start painting our nails soon!
Step 8- Apply The Base Coat
This step is crucial as you may stain your nails with the color of your nail polish if you don’t apply a base coat first. It will also help the nail polish last longer. If your goal was to just clean your nails and put on a base coat, you are officially done! Congrats on your first DIY Home Manicure! But if you want to paint your nails let’s move forward to our last step.
Step 9- Yes! Final Step. Congrats, You Just Got Yourself a Beautiful DIY Home Manicure.
Choose a nail polish color (we all know how hard this decision is, but no worries, there is no pressure. We are home.) Then, apply the first coat, let it dry for around 1-2 minutes, and then apply the second coat. Once you are done, apply the top coat, and you are all set! The top coat will add shine to your nail polish giving your nails that salon effect! No one will believe you did it yourself at home. I usually have people asking – what salon do you go to? And I proudly say: I do my nails myself at home.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed this process as much as I did. It takes time, mistakes, and frustrations, but you will eventually succeed and become a pro in your very own DIY Home Manicure. After you have mastered the basics:
Move along and start playing with some designs.
Add an extra color of nail polish to your design.
Play with the shapes. Go for the almond shape if you’re a square gal, or vice-versa.
The possibilities are endless now that you are in control.
Hi! I'm Paola Espinosa. I wrote this article about DIY Home Manicure to help you get a beautiful, simple, and quick manicure at home! Beyond the clear benefits of saving money and preventing infections, doing your manicure is a sign of self-care, and hey! have some fun and enjoy the process.
My mom taught me how to do my nails when I was a teenager, and, I am SO grateful because thanks to years of experience I know can do designs, use rhinestones, nail tape and play with an infinite number of techniques. I will show you some of them here. Stay tuned!
