Breaking

Friday, January 10, 2014

How to Give Yourself a Manicure Using Salon Techniques

How to Give Yourself a Manicure Using Salon Techniques
Ever want to get your nails done, but don't want to go through the hassle? Or maybe you can't afford it. Either way, you can give yourself a salon-looking manicure or pedicure at home with the things you already have! Just follow this guide.

Remove all nail polish. Make sure you get the polish on the sides and edges with a Q-tip.

Trim your nails, then file from the corner of your nail to the center of your nail. If your nails are short or you want to grow them out, just file them. Don't be too rough; you don't want to break your nails or make the nails jagged. Don't file your nails back and forth, it is not good for your nails.

Soak in warm water or milk for 5 minutes. Your whole hand doesn't need to be in the bowl, just your nails.

Remove your nails from the water or milk and dry them off. Mix a combination of olive oil and sugar (50/50) and rub all over your hands, between fingers and around nails for about 30 seconds. Wash your hands, dry them. Rub them with a rich moisturizer, like Eucerin or Look Ma New Hands by Bath & Body Works. Push back your cuticles gently with an orange stick, metal cuticle pusher or rubber tipped cuticle stick. Contrary to this advice, it would be best not to push them back, as they attach your nail bed to the nail plate and protect your nails from infection. GENTLY trim them with a cuticle clipper if necessary but don't over clip which could lead to infection (once a month maximum), clip off any hang nails, don't rip them off. Clean the underneath of your nails with a nail brush.

Buff your nails with a nail buffer gently. You can rub in some Vitamin E or A oil, almond oil or olive oil to your nails.

If desired, apply a nail polish base coat and a color of your choice (before applying nail polish be sure that all lotion/oil has been removed from your nail, or else the polish will not stick well). Then, apply a clear top coat for that extra shine and extra protection against chipping.

Finished.

Tips
Beforehand, if you want to, you can rub some olive or vegetable oil into your cuticles to make them looser and easier to push back. Baby oil also works well and it smells good.
If you put a color on you want to wait at least 10 minutes for it to dry.
Don't clip your cuticles with nail clippers, it's best to just push them back.
Put Vaseline on your cuticles before applying polish it will make cleanup much easier and will protect your cuticles from drying out. Also apply Vaseline before going to bed.

Warnings
Metal tools that could penetrate the skin should be sterilized in an autoclave.
The salon should be clean and tidy, with linen and towels changed between clients.
Some nail salons keep implements especially set aside for each regular client. You should ask your nail technician to do this for you, if you are a regular client of a nail salon.
All chemicals should be in clearly marked containers.
If you are having acrylic nails put on, ask your nail artist to explain the procedure, what products they're going to use and how to care for the nails at home.
Don't be shy to ask questions about the manicure, the chemicals being used and how the implements have been cleaned.
Don't use a foot spa if you've shaved your legs the night before or on the day of the pedicure, of if you have any cuts on your legs, as this makes you more vulnerable to infection.
If you do decide to use a nail salon instead of giving yourself a manicure or pedicure at home, here are some of the things you should look for when visiting a nail salon:
Use only accredited salons and technicians and look for certifications of competency, which should be displayed prominently in the salon.
Nail implements need to be clean and dry. Don't let anyone use an implement on you that's been left sitting in water, even if the water contains disinfectant.
When trimming your cuticle, be careful not to cut the skin at the base of your nail
Non-disposable nail implements should be rinsed, scrubbed in tepid water and detergent and dried, or wiped with 70% alcohol between clients.

No comments:

Post a Comment