Now you’re ready to begin your at-home manicure. Make sure you have plenty of time on your hands (no pun intended!) so that you don’t smear, smudge, or skimp on an important step. If you want to go all out and get the full spa experience, light a few aromatherapy candles, unplug the phone, and maybe put on some soft music. One of the best things about getting a manicure at a salon or spa is that it can be very relaxing, so don’t leave out that element if you’re doing it at home.
Clean, shape, and prepare.
Remove any old nail polish using an acetone-free polish remover. Acetone is an ingredient that makes nail polish come off quickly, but it is very drying and damaging to the nails. File and/or trim your nails in the shape that you find most attractive; a good rule of thumb is to mimic the natural shape of your cuticles (unless yours are so ragged and unkempt that you can’t tell what their natural shape is; in that case, your best shape is straight across the top, with slightly rounded edges). If you want to, this is a great time to exfoliate your hands. There are many exfoliating scrubs on the market, but you can just as easily make your own exfoliating treatment by using plain white sugar dampened with a bit of water. One of the great things about having two hands is that it makes it easy to do your own massage! While you’re exfoliating, knead and massage your hands, paying special attention to each finger. Rinse off, and then soak your hands for a few minutes in lukewarm water with a squirt of mild soap in order to soften your cuticles. Rinse and dry them well.
No cutting corners – or cuticles!
Using an orange stick, readily available anywhere nail supplies are sold, gently – GENTLY – push back your cuticles. You don’t want them to tear or bleed, so use a light touch! If there are hangnails, you can trim them with cuticle scissors, but be sure not to cut the cuticle itself, because that can cause infection and damage the nail. Apply dots of cuticle cream and rub it in well. Cuticle cream is generally richer than regular hand lotion, but in a pinch, regular lotion or even mineral oil will do.