Appearances can make all the difference in the world when making an impression on someone, right down to the smallest detail. You can be impeccably groomed, styled, and smartly dressed, with all the latest accessories – but then, when you extend your hand, there they are: dull, ragged, neglected fingers, ending in pitiful nails. Something so small and seemingly insignificant can really make a big difference in your overall appearance. You can tell a lot about a person by the way their hands look, both men and women alike. Manicures have long been considered something that women do, but a man can benefit just as much from taking care of his hands – just skip the polish step! Maintenance of your hands and nails should be done on a regular basis, but can get a little pricey if you opt to go to a salon every time. You can do a great job at home, for a lot less money, and without scheduling hassles. Here’s how to get perfectly manicured hands without forking over all your hard-earned cash.

Great manicures start with great nails.

You can’t have attractive hands if you have unattractive nails, so first things first. Protect them. Don’t use them to pick or pry at things (that means stop opening tabs on soda cans with them!) When you wash dishes or clean with chemical solutions, wear rubber gloves. When you’re rubbing lotion into your hands, rub some into your fingernails and cuticles as well, especially right after washing them. Do you bite your nails? Stop. Do you bite your cuticles? Quit it! In many cases these things are just idle habits that will only take a couple of weeks to effectively break. There are many products on the market designed especially for people who wish to break the habit. You can even use anti thumb-sucking liquid that is geared toward – you guessed it – thumb-sucking children; it’s a bitter tasting substance that will make you want to keep your fingers away from your mouth. If your nails are short for a different reason, such as being weak and easily breakable, start wearing a product designed to harden and strengthen nails. It may take a few weeks or a few months depending on the severity of the abuse you heap upon your fingernails, but eventually you’ll get them to the desired length and strength. After you do, maintenance is crucial! Don’t just kick your bad habits temporarily to get the effect you want, only to return to your old ways later; keep taking great care of your nails.