At-home manicures are achievable with the right tools and technique.
What you’ll need:
- Paper towel
- Nail file
- Buffer
- Base coat
- Top coat
- Cuticle eraser (or oil)
- Nail clipper
- Wooden stick
- Nail polish remover
- Quick dry oil (optional)
- Nail polish
Steps:
- Prep your nails:
- Wash hands and remove old polish with a paper towel.
- Trim and file nails to your desired shape.
- Buff nails and gently push back cuticles with a wooden stick softened by cuticle oil (or natural oil).
- Apply base coat and let dry.
- Apply 2 thin coats of nail polish, cleaning up mistakes with a wooden stick dipped in remover.
- Apply top coat for shine and protection.
- Air dry or use quick dry oil.
Tips:
- Use a table as a guide to ensure even filing.
- Don’t overload the brush with polish to avoid bubbles and cracks.
- Top coat protects your polish and makes it last longer.