Salon services are not part of the essential services allowed during this pandemic. This has put most women in charge of their self-care. Whether you are uploading videos of home-cooking or DIY crafts, your hands will be the centre of attraction. This is a good reason to pay them enough attention. You may feel that having all the tools handy may not ensure ‘instagrammable’ nails if done at home. Yet you will be surprised with the results when you know how to do manicure and pedicure at home yourself.
How to Do Manicure and Pedicure at Home
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DIY manicure and pedicure come with a lot of risks – smudging, chipping and warping – and all of it can be avoided. Try these suggestions from professional manicurists and you will have enviable hands and feet. Here are 10 simple steps on how to do manicure and pedicure at home:
Step 1: Clean away all the polish and residue from the last manicure.
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Clearing off all the dirt and remnants is the first step to good nail care. Use a good polish remover to do this. Even if you don’t have polish on your nails, the remover clears away oils and dirt sticking on your nails. Wash your hands and feet with soap and water and dry them with a clean towel.
Step 2: Shape your nails and then buff them
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Clip your nails if they need it. File them gently, giving them the shape that you want. Tilt your file flush slightly underneath the nail to avoid overfilling. Start buffing delicately. Use a good nail buffer to buff tops and sides of the nail. This will avoid oil build-up that warps your polish.
Step 3: Tackle dry skin of your feet.
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This is a mandatory step in pedicure since the skin on the feet are tougher than on hands. You can use a metal file for extra hard skin. File away dead skin build-up from the heels and the balls of the feet. Try fruit acid peels and grainy scrubs to give your feet a soft refreshed feel.
Step 4: Soak and exfoliate your hands and feet.
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Use lukewarm water and essential oils to relax your hands. Along with these, you can use Epsom salts for your feet. Salts help reduce swellings and odour. Exfoliate your hands gently. Clean any grime under the nails with a basic orange stick.
Step 5: Push back cuticles.
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Use cuticle removers to prep your nails and cuticle beds. Then use a cuticle stick to gently push back your cuticles. Don’t cut your cuticles since they help protect your nails from bacteria. Wash well using soap and water. Rinse and dry.
Step 6: Moisturise your hands and feet.
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Use nourishing oils to massage your hands and feet well. Massage around and between your fingers and toes. Relax while you give yourself the massage. Use heavy-duty massage oil for your feet. Slip on some socks and put up your feet for five minutes. Use a cotton ball dipped in polish remover to wipe out the nails.
Step 7: Protect with a base coat.
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A base coat helps hydrate the nails and protects from chipping and discolouration. Apply one layer of base coat and rest it for at least two minutes. For the feet, prop them up where you can easily see them as well as reach them.
Step 8: Start with the nail colour.
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Apply the first coat of colour. Start just below the cuticle at the centre of the nail and gently push towards the cuticle. Then lightly apply brush strokes to the edge of the nail. One stroke at the centre and two on the two sides is the general method. Adjust according to your nail size and brush adjustment. Your fingernail may need just two strokes. Remember to keep the first coat light.
After two minutes of rest, start on your second coat of colour. Light, pastel shades may need a third layer of colour. Keep all of them, thin and smooth.
Step 9: Finish your colour with a topcoat.
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Give the perfect finish to your nail paint with a clear topcoat. It will secure your paint from chipping and add shine to your nail. Topcoat tends to tighten when dry giving the nails a ridge-like effect if not done smoothly. So, it is mandatory to give slick, thin strokes of top coat to the nails.
Step 10: Tidy up and let dry.
Use a cotton ball soaked in remover and run it along the edges of the nail. You may fold a polish remover pad into a triangle to do this job more precisely. Clear away any smudges between the nail and your skin. Give an extra five minutes to the nails to dry them properly. Once dry, you may use a drop of cuticle oil and give your nails a good rub.
Now, you are ready to click photographs of your hands and show them off.
Accessories Used to Cover Indecorous Nails
Not a fan of working on your tips and toes? Or no time to invest in nail care? Don’t worry, there is always an alternate solution.
Consider nail stickers or press-on nails if you don’t have time for manicure yet there is a camera focus on your nails. Let us look at each of the items.
Press-on nails
These can be glued on your nails and you are set to flaunt your hands. They have some advantages too.
- There are various sizes of nails available. So, you will get one that fits your nail size. These can be ordered online.
- You may pick colours and designs of your choice. There are jazzy, glittery bright ones and there are muted, demure soft shades to appeal your taste.
- Applying them takes hardly any time and effort. When done properly, they can last up to a week. Taking them off is not too much work either.
- Your own nails remain protected under these faux nails. The glue causes less harm than some of the gels and colours can do.
You can experiment with various looks without any fear of branding your character. This is the reason they are going to be a rage in the coming months.
Nail stickers
If you are interested in embellishment more than plain coloured nails, yet cannot work on intricate nail art, you have nail stickers to help you. They can help you achieve that finished nail art salon look right at home.
- They offer detailed, intricate designs which are pocket-friendly. Since they cost less, you can change them often.
- They are a quick and easy solution. Some stickers have dimensions that make them look like painted-upon nails.
- The decals come on clear sheets. Thus, you can see and plan their placements before you strip them off the sheet.
- They are water-resistant. They will last long with a clear top coat over them.
- Taking them off is easy too. All you need to do is soak your nails in warm water and peel them off.
- Most importantly, the glue doesn’t harm the nails. Just a little time can transform the nails.
You may need help to put these up when using your non-dominant hand. Putting stickers too close to the tips of the nails may chip them, so stick them near the nail bed.
Manicure and pedicure come with health benefits like increased blood circulation due to massage. Also, when done at home you can keep a check on harsh chemicals and allergens. These can be good reasons to pamper yourself during this circuit breaker stay-in period. Now that you’ve learnt how to do manicure and pedicure at home, go on, it’s time to refresh those nails!
ALSO READ: Can Switching to DIY Manicures Save You S$100s per Year?