Simple steps to a complete manicure

Manicures at home are both money and time savers! Gather up a few supplies and do this task at home.

Do you have a particular product that is from your youth? For me, it’s Palmolive dish detergent. I remember the commercials with Madge advertising my Mom’s favorite green dish detergent.

I still use Palmolive when I do a manicure. It is soft, and my hands feel great when I pull them out to complete the manicure. One of my favorite parts of this soaking time is the scent. It takes me back to my Mom’s kitchen. Sitting at the table, watching a show on the tiny black & white tv, and seeing this commercial come on-

And, I can attest that it does indeed “softens hands while you do the dishes.”  

 
Here are my simple steps to a complete manicure:

1. Gather supplies.
A manicure doesn’t have to take long, and the process is easier when everything is ready to use. I keep all of my manicure tools in one handy, movable basket.

– supply list:
Old towel
Nail polish remover in an easy to use dispenser
Cotton balls 
Cotton swabs
Orange stick
Nail trimmers
Nail file
Nail buffer
Nail brush
Vitamin E oil
Nail polish(es)
Toothpicks

2. Set up the work area.
Spread the old towel out on a flat surface. This protects that surface from polish remover as well as nail polish. Lay the tools out as well.

3. Remove old nail polish.
If you wear acrylic nails, be sure to NOT use acetone or acetone-based remover as this will damage the acrylic. 
Use a cotton ball to remove the bulk of the polish. To remove the polish from around the cuticle, use a cotton swab. 

4. Cut and trim your nails. 
Use nail trimmers to cut to your desired length. Use a nail file to smooth the tips of your nails. Be sure to only file in one direction to prevent damage to the nail. 

5. Buff your nails. 
Again, going in one direction, run the buffer over your nails. This will help to remove any remaining roughness on the nail, and bring out the shine. 

6. Soak your nails. 
It’s Palmolive time! Using a bowl large enough to contain your hand covered in soapy water, fill it with warm water, then a good squirt of Palmolive. Soak your hands, one at a time, for 10 minutes or so. Using a nail brush, gently scrub your nails. This removes any dead skin, loosen dirt, and any dust left over from filing. 

7. Dry your nails thoroughly. 

8. Push back your cuticle with an orange stick GENTLY.
It is not advised to cut the cuticle, just push it back. 

9. Apply Vitamin E oil.
Pay special attention to the cuticle area while applying oil. Apply just enough to treat the nail beds at this time. Allow oil to thoroughly soak in. 

10. Apply base coat to your nails.
This fills in any ridges, as well as being the primer for nail polish. Allow to dry thoroughly. 

11. Apply nail polish.
Before opening the bottle, roll it gently between your hands for 10 seconds or so. Don’t shake the bottle as that will cause air bubbles. Begin by putting a vertical line down the middle of your nail, then add a stripe down either side of that first line. The trick is to use enough polish, but not too much. If you get polish too far over in the cuticle area, use a toothpick to remove it, if the polish is still wet. If it has dried, dip the toothpick into nail polish remover and remove the polish. Avoid the nail area, to prevent having to remove all of the polish and starting over. 

12. Allow nails to dry for 15 minutes.

13. Apply a second coat of nail polish.

14. Allow to dry thoroughly.

15. Apply a top coat.
This helps to seal the polish, making your manicure last longer. 

16.  Allow to dry thoroughly. 

Enjoy your beautifully polished and manicured hands!