How To: Give Yourself a Manicure

Manicures are beautiful and can add class and style to any person. Here are some step-by-step instructions for giving yourself a DIY manicure. 

Step 1 Gather Materials

• bowl
• soapy water
• olive oil
• cuticle pusher
• nail clippers
• nail file with pointed end
• nail buffer (or nail file)
• cotton ball
• nail polish (optional)
• towel
• hand lotion

Step 2 Soak Nails

Soaking nails in soapy water will help clean and soften your nails for the next step. Pour the soapy water into the bowl. Place hands into the soapy water. Let them soak for about 2 minutes. 

Warning

• Be careful when trimming and filing your nails after this step. Be gentle so you won't break any nails. 

Step 3 Cuticles

Unkempt cuticles can ruin the appearance of your manicure. Make sure to complete this step. Take hands out of the water. Dry them with a towel. Using your cuticle pusher, push back cuticles. 

Step 4 Remove Dirt from Underneath Nails

Place the pointed end of your nail file underneath the top of the nail. Drag back and forth to remove dirt. 

Step 5 Trim Nails

This is an important step if the nails need to be shorter of if there are hangnails. If something catches on a hangnail, the hangnail could rip out causing a very painful experience. Trim nails (if desired) and any hangnails you see.

Step 6 Shape Nails

Filing your nails is also a very important step. Filing nails gives nails shape and gets rid of and prevents split ends and rough edges. Using your nail file, file your nails into the desired shape. 

Step 7 Buff Nails

Buffing nails can increase blood circulation in the nail bed allowing your nails to grow faster. Buffing nails also smooths ridges on the nail. Place your nail buffer or nail file on the fingernail. Drag back and forth to smooth the fingernail. 

Warning

• Be careful not to buff your fingernails too much, because the nails will become brittle and more likely to break. 

Step 8 Olive Oil

Olive oil will make the nails shinier. It will also strengthen the nails. Put a little bit of olive oil on a cotton ball. Rub the cotton ball on the nails. It's okay if some olive oil gets outside the perimeter of the nail. Leave the olive oil on your nails until it soaks in. If you don't have time for it to soak in, leave it on for about 2 minutes and wipe it off with a towel. 

Step 9 Lotion

Lotion will moisturize hands and leave them smooth and soft. Apply your favorite hand lotion and rub in. If you are giving a manicure to someone else, this will most likely be their favorite part because it feels great when the lotion is rubbed in. 

Step 10 Polish

If you want, add some nail polish or nail art for a unique effect. 

Tips

• Use a nail striper and nail pen for best nail art results. 
• Visit this website for nail art ideas: http://www.nailsmag.com/

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