There’s no need to spend a fortune on professional manicures. Do yourself a favour and become a dab hand at doing it yourself. When it comes to DIY manicures, timing is everything.
Don’t even think about giving yourself a manicure after bathing, as soft, water-saturated nails are easily damaged by filing and your polish won’t adhere properly. Nail enamel can take up to two hours to dry and at least 10 hours to become rock hard so make sure you have some time to rest your hands – perhaps watch a bit of TV – while you wait.
Nail files are designed to shape and smooth the nail; nail clippers are your best bet for reducing nail length. The key to a good nail file or emery board is to go for the finest grade of abrasion possible. If it feels like sandpaper, it’s too harsh.
Always file in one direction – from the outer edge to the centre. Never saw back and forth as this creates a build-up of friction and heat, both of which will make the nail tips split. The sides of the nails are the areas that form a wall of support. Your nail shape should mirror the shape of the cuticle – a “squoval” (square/oval) shape is best. Before you finish filing, use gentle downward strokes at the tip of the nails to help seal the layers together.
It’s not advisable to cut your own cuticles. Instead, soften them with a cuticle oil or similar conditioning product then, using a thin cotton cloth dipped in water, gently push them back. Next, clean your hands and nails with soapy water and dry them well – this ensures you have a clean surface for your nail polish.
The first step of any good paint job is a base coat. It helps anchor the polish to the nail and forms a barrier to prevent staining. Next, apply the colour coat in three strokes. Start in the centre of the nail, about 3mm above the cuticle, then nudge the brush to just above the cuticle and paint in one continuous stroke to the nail tip. This prevents colour build-up around the base of the nail. Repeat on either side of the applied colour, then wait for two minutes before applying a second coat.
Finally, to protect against chipping and to give your manicure lasting shine, apply a single layer of clear top coat. For great everyday nail care, I love the Sally Hansen range that’s available from pharmacies.
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