If it is true that first impressions matter, then your hands are a sort of business card – one of the first things the people you meet will notice. Thus, it is crucial to care for your hands and nails. However, you don’t have to spend loads of money on that. You can get a salon-ready manicure at home. You only need the right tools and techniques to make it happen.
1. TOOLS FOR YOUR MANICURE AT HOME
The first step toward a salon-perfect manicure at home is having everything right at your fingertips. Luckily we have a complete manicure system you can use which houses all the products you need for lovely hands and nails in one nifty tool: the Finishing Touch Flawless Salon Nails!
Flawless Salon Nails allows you to shape & file, smooth, buff and shine like a professional manicurist, plus has an LED light for extra precision.
If you don’t have one of these to hand, you will need the following hand and nail treatment products:
- Nail clippers
- A nail file
- A buffer
- Cuticle stick
- Cuticle oil
- Nail brush
- Base coat
- Nail polish (in your preferred colour)
- Top coat
- Hand cream
- Soapy water
2. TRIM AND SHAPE YOUR FINGERNAILS
A salon-like manicure should start with nail trimming unless you prefer keeping your length. Use nail clippers to shorten the nails as much as you want. Alternatively, you can use the grinding attachment on a the Flawless Salon Nails.
Once you’ve achieved the desired length, replace the grinding attachment with the nail file one, then give your nails the desired shape.
There is no rule set in stone when it comes to shaping the nails. However, if you’re unsure which shape to choose, note that pointed nails (e.g. stiletto) break easier than nails with rounded or squared edges.
3. BUFF THE NAILS
Are you wondering why your salon nails always look perfect whilst the ones you paint at home are only meh? It’s because of the buffing. This procedure allows you to create a smooth surface that can give nail polish a smoother, more flattering look.
Use your Salon Nails or a separate buffer to gently buff your nails. The power provided by an electronic tool makes it easy to remove all ridges from your nails without any effort.
4. TAKE CARE OF YOUR CUTICLES
Cuticles and a polished manicure don’t really go hand in hand. The piece of skin stretching over the nail base can reduce the nail’s length and looks uneven after you’ve applied nail polish.
Perhaps you’ve seen beauticians remove it at the salon. However, you shouldn’t cut your own cuticles when you’re doing the manicure at home – unless you’re an expert, that is. Removing your cuticles if you have no experience can result in painful cuts and puts you at risk of infections.
Start with softening them with cuticle oil. Rub the oil into the skin with your fingertips, then use a cuticle stick to push them back. Alternatively, use the cuticle care tool in the Flawless Salon Nails kit to neaten them up with ease.
5. EXFOLIATE AND CLEAN YOUR HANDS
Now that your nails are ready, it’s time to prepare them for the polish. One thing to keep in mind is that nail polish may not adhere to oily or dirty nails. Thus, it is crucial to remove all traces of dust (from buffing) and cuticle oil.
To do that, fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and add some liquid soap. Soak your fingertips for a minute or two, then use a small nail brush to scrub the nails. Whilst you’re at it, also use a gentle exfoliator to remove the dead skin on your hands.
Rinse under running water and pat dry your hands and nails. To remove all traces of grease or old nail polish, dip a cotton swab in acetone-free nail polish remove and wipe each nail. Let them dry completely before proceeding.
6. PAINT YOUR NAILS
Painting your nails is undeniably the best part of doing your nails at home. Start with a thin layer of base coat. You might be tempted to skip it, but there are many reasons why you shouldn’t.
Firstly, the base coat often contains vitamins and ingredients selected to protect your nails from the harsher action of nail polish. The base coat will also prevent nail polish from staining your nails. Ultimately, it will help you get a more even colour application.
Let the base coat dry for at least one minute, then continue with nail polish. Rest your hand on a table to keep it steady, and apply a thin layer of coloured polish. Let it dry for one minute, then apply a second coat. Let it dry for another minute.
To finish the look, apply a layer of top coat. A top coat will make the nail polish glossier and prevent chipping. Let it dry for about five minutes before moving on to the next step.
7. MOISTURISE YOUR HANDS
Once you’re done, it is time to moisturise the skin with a good quality hand cream or lotion. This step is important because the soapy water, nail polish remover, and other substances in nail polish can dry the skin on your hands, making it look and feel unappealing. Apply a thin layer of cream or lotion and rub it into the skin with a gentle, circular motion.
To maintain your manicure, moisturise your hands daily, paying particular attention to the cuticle area. You should also reapply a thin layer of top coat every two or three days to prevent the nail polish from chipping and keep your manicure flawless for longer.
8. SHOW OFF YOUR FANCY, MANICURED HANDS
Now that you know how to get a salon manicure at home know that you can follow the same steps for a flawless pedicure, using the Salon Nails kit and a Flawless Pedi pedicure tool, another tool in our range of Flawless beauty gadgets.
So you have achieved flawless nails all by yourself! With manicures costing anywhere from £10 to almost £100, why not put aside the money you’ve saved for a rainy day or use it for a treat?
Before you go, you should also check out our other articles for tips, tricks, and advice on skincare and beauty.