Back home, getting manicures was a lot easier and less expensive than here in D.C. (or at least where I came from!) Making time to get a manicure or paying for one is an issue for a lot of college girls, but it’s just as easy to do your own nails. With practice and the right supplies you’ll be able to give yourself a flawless manicure and save money.
What you’ll need:
nail tool kit (made by Tweezerman: found at Sephora, CVS, etc.)
hand lotion
nail polish remover
base coat (Essie)
nail polish of your choice
top coat (Seche Vite is the best!)
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1. Begin by removing any extra nail polish with nail polish remover to start off with a clean slate. Take a small bit of lotion and rub into your hands, fingers and specifically the cuticles to soften them.
2. Use cuticle clippers to trim around your cuticles and fingers. This won’t hurt if you make sure not to cut healthy skin off so be careful! Push your cuticles back with one of the tools in the kit.
3. Apply a base coat to your nails. Base coats are great for polishes because they give something for the color to stick to which makes polishes last longer. You can find lots of different base coat types such as “grow faster”, “strengtheners” and “hydrators.”
4. Use a steady hand to apply the color of your choice. Balance your elbow on a surface if you need to and paint each nail in three strokes: left of the nail, right of the nail and then in the middle. Do this to every nail and repeat again for a second coat.
5. Finish off with a top coat of your choice. My favorite is by Seche Vite, which is usually used in nail salons, but can be found in drugstores. It helps nails to dry even more quickly and gives a smooth glossy finish!