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Great nails are something I’ve been blessed with. I might struggle a bit in other beauty departments, like my hair or sensitive/problematic skin, but my nails have always been something I haven’t had to worry about. Rarely do I get a manicure at a salon, so it’s safe to say I’ve mastered the art of at-home manicures. Whether you’re too busy to frequent the salon or you don’t want to dish out the cash, there’s a lot to love about an at-home beauty treatment.
Keep reading for my easy, at home manicure routine — even if your nails aren’t naturally “amazing.” I’m talking super easy, because I’m hella low-maintenance these days.
1 | Remove any old nail polish.
Obviously.
2 | Clip + File
Clip the nails to your desired length, and then file the rough edges with an emery board, working in one direction. This helps avoid any sharp bits, hang nails, and chipping later.
3 | Exfoliate + Moisturize
For a real manicure experience, I like to wash my hands with an exfoliating hand soap and follow it up with a luscious hand cream.
4 | Cleanse the nail
This is a step I’ve only been taking for about a year, but I truly have noticed a difference. Removing old nail polish is a given, but actually cleansing my nail prior to polish has removed extra oils and let me keep my manicure longer without chipping. I received a nail care kit from Formula X/Influenster that contained a “Cleanse” product, but gentle nail polish remover will do.
5 | Base Coat
Apply a base coat to hydrate and prep the bare nails. Your base coat will generally be a little bit sticky once it dries down, which hold the color products, that’ll be on top, in place. It also will add hydration to your nails and prevent any stains.
I’ve been loving a base coat that also doubles as a treatment, like Essie’s Grow Stronger base coat. It smooths and strengthens the nail over time and serves as a great base for colored polish. I also really love Julep’s Smooth Start base coat for the same reasons.
Let that dry for 1-2 minutes.
6 | Color
Apply your newest or favorite hue to the nail.
My current favorite is ‘Incognito’ from Dior. It is kind of ridiculous that I will spend nearly $30 on a bottle of nail polish, but the color is my perfect nude shade. And I don’t notice chipping for at least 10 days (unless I’m particularly hard on my nails that week, which sometimes I am).
I usually apply 2 coat of any nail polish color, but maximum coverage the first time, makes the second coat a breeze.
Wait about 1-2 between coats.
7 | Top Coat
Once your color coat is dry, make sure you’re applying a top coat. This will prevent any nicks and chips and add shine to the nails. Currently, I’m using the Seche Vite top coat, and liking it. But I usually have the Go The Distance top coat from Julep on hand.
8 | Top it off
My at home game changer is the Quick Dry Drops from Julep. Two drops on each nail after my top coat, and my nails are dry in under a minute.
Some Tips for a Long-Lasting Manicure
I am rough on my nails; I’ve always been that way. But I wanted to give you a couple of tips I’ve found help keep my manicure looking fresh, longer.
- Use one brand: I know I’m not doing that in this post, but I’m currently trying to use up a lot of products I have in my collection. Especially if you’re using at-home gel manicure systems, using one brand of products will ensure they all play well together and do what they’re intended to do.
- Don’t forget the tips: We know to cover the nail with polish, but by neglecting the tips of your nail, you can wind up with chipping and peeling. Do a vertical sweep over the tip of your nail with both the color and top coat for a longer lasting mani.
- Reapply your top coat: I like to reapply my top coat every couple of days. Not only does this add shine back to my manicure, but it keeps it from chipping.
What are your favorite nail products? Are you a nudes girl like me, or do you love bright colors on your nails?
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