We love it when our nails look good. Whether it’s a hot hue, pastel shade or a simple French manicure, perfectly polished nails add the finishing touch to any outfit.
Whether you embrace fresh nails every week or invest in a new colour for a special occasion. A salon-quality manicure doesn’t have to cost the earth to achieve. If you invest in the right equipment and follow the top tips. You can achieve great nails every day!
In this article, we provide a step-by-step guide to achieving salon-worthy nails. Read on to learn more.
Invest in the Right Tools
Get the right tools to make your nails look great. We made a list of what you need. Some might already be in your arsenal, and you’ll need to buy others.
- A nail file: to shape and file the nails
- Nail polish remover and cotton pads: To remove any leftover polish from your fingers and toes
- A polishing file: This buffs your nails into that salon-worthy shine
- Cuticle removers, oils, and treatments: An exfoliating treatment for your nail beds
- Polishes: Base coats, colours, and top coats are a necessity. Which you choose is down to personal preference.
Now that you have your tool kit, let’s look at a step-by-step guide on how to achieve a perfect manicure:
1. Wash Your Hands
First, wash your hands with soap and warm water to remove any oil or dirt from your nails. This helps to make your nails look better and makes it easier for polish to stick to them.
Also, if you have any old nail polish on your hands or toes, now is the time to remove it.
2. File Your Nails
First, clean your hands and nails. Then, shape them with a file. Always file in one direction to prevent splitting. Start at the outer edge and move towards the middle.
Consider your lifestyle when choosing the shape. If you use your hands a lot, a short square or almond shape is better.
For special occasions, like an event, you might prefer a more dramatic shape, such as a stiletto.
3. Add Shine
We’re not talking about shiny nail polish. You can make your nails look naturally shiny by using a buffing file. This easy trick gets rid of bumps on your nails, making them smooth for your first coat of nail polish.
4. Apply a Cuticle Treatment
A good cuticle oil helps get rid of dead skin on your nails. After putting on the oil, gently push back your cuticles. This gives you more space to put on nail polish.
5. Apply the Base Coat
You need a base coat to make your manicure stay nice and not get chipped. It helps the coloured polish stick better and makes your nails stronger.
Also, it smooths out any bumps and keeps your natural nails from getting stained.
There are different base coats out there, some made for certain polishes. For example, if you use glitter polish, you should use a tougher base coat.
6. Apply the Polish
After picking your nail polish colour, whether bright or subtle, it’s time to apply it to your prepared nails.
First, paint a stripe down the middle, then one on each side. Let it dry, then you can do another coat if you want.
Don’t use too many coats, or the polish might get thick. A good tip is to let each coat dry completely before adding more. That’s why it’s not a good idea to do your nails quickly!
7. Apply the Top Coat
The base coat keeps your nails safe, and the top coat keeps the nail polish safe, making it shiny and strong. This makes your manicure last longer without chipping.
Top coats can be shiny, matte, or glittery. When you use a top coat, make sure to cover the ends of your nails.
8. Clean Cuticles and Moisturize Hands
To complete your manicure, first clean up any extra polish with a cotton bud or small brush and nail polish remover.
Next, apply more cuticle oil to keep your nails hydrated. Doing this stops your nails from breaking and your polish from coming off too soon. Try not to pick at your polish if possible.
If you make a mistake, go back to the beginning and use the proper tools to remove it. It’s important to give your nails a break between applying new polish to let them recover.
The Bottom Line
Making salon-quality nails is simpler than you might believe. Just get the right tools and follow these easy steps. Soon, you’ll be making nails that everyone envies.
Painting your nails not only makes them look nice but also helps you feel calm and happy. Whether you do your own nails or give someone else a manicure, it’s always a good time to make your nails look great.
With lots of styles and colours to choose from, there’s something for everyone.