For any
women worth her salt, the care of nails is ESSENTIAL. Even if you are too busy to go to the
salon to get a manicure, you can still show yourself some LOVE and give your
nails some basic care. With so
many ready-to-use spa products out there, we are running out of excuses to have
messy nails!
Here is a
simple guide for an at-home manicure, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon…
1. Remove any dirt or enamel from
your nails using nail polish remover and cotton balls.
2. Wash your hands.
3. Pour lukewarm water and a few
drops of hand soap into a small container that is deep enough to place your hands
inside.
4. Rest your hands in the container
for 7 – 10 minutes.
5. Apply a cuticle remover on your
nails, letting it set for the time recommended on the product. The cuticle remover will soften your
cuticles, making it easier to for them to be pushed back. If you cut your cuticles often, they
tend to become harder.
6. Gently push back the cuticles
using a orange wood stick or a rubber-tipped plastic cuticle pusher. You can also use stainless steel
cuticle scissors to trim them if your cuticles are especially hard.
7. Wash your hands.
8. Shape your nails with a nail
file. I personally think that the
square shape is the most convenient. Remember the sides of the nails are what gives them strength.
9. Polish the surface of your nails with
a buffer. But be careful not over-polish,
as it can weaken the nails.
10.Wash
your hands.
11.
Mix
a small amount of sugar with some lemon drops in a bowl.
12.Apply
the mixture to your hands like a lotion to exfoliate them.
13.
Apply
a base coat of nail polish onto your nails. This is especially recommended if you are going to wear dark
or red colors, in order to avoid that terrible yellow stain.
14. Apply
the first coat of nail polish onto your nails.
15.
Let
your nails dry for at least 5 minutes.
16. Apply
the second coat of nail polish onto your nails.
17.
Let
your nails dry for another 5 minutes (at least).
18.Once
your nails are completely dry, apply a top coat onto your nails.
19.Let
your nails dry for another 5 minutes (at least).
20.Gently
massage a moisturizing cream or lotion onto your hands.
21. Get
pretty and go out to for a nice cup of coffee with your friends. Show off your beautiful nails… you
deserve it after all the work you have done!
Extra
tip: For softer cuticles apply a
bit of Vaseline to your nails each night before going to sleep. This will help keep away the cuticle
scissors!
Photography: Yazmin Yeara
Author: Jenny
Wendlandt
Editor:
Jenny Perusek
Kiss, Kiss!
