Taking care of your hands is extremely important before the wedding. There will probably be no other time in your life when they will be on display more. If you don’t have the budget to get regular manicures in salons, follow these steps to give yourself a perfect manicure at home. Remember that the hands of men and women both need regular manicures to be their healthiest and look their best.
The Ingredients
Cotton balls or Q-Tips
Nail file and/or nail clippers
Warm, soapy water in a shallow bowl
Cuticle Cream
Cuticle Stick
Moisturizing hand lotion
Damp cloth
Nail polish remover (optional)
Base Coat (optional)
Nail Polish (optional)
Top Coat (optional)
The Steps
Start by removing any old nail polish. Moisten a cotton ball with nail polish remover and wipe gently starting at the base of the nail to the tip.
Use an emery board to file your nails. If your nails need to be trimmed, do so now. File your nails in one direction starting at the edges and moving toward the top.
Soak your fingers in soapy water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles. Use an anti-bacterial hand soap or one with some moisturizers.
Rub a cuticle cream on the cuticles. Use a wood stick or your fingers to gently push back the cuticles.
Massage your hands with a moisturizing lotion. Then wipe nails with a damp cloth to remove any excess oils.
Apply a base coat, or nail strengthener if needed, to all nails and allow a minute for drying.
If you want to add some color, choose a nail polish and apply to nails now. Start with a stroke from the base to the tip of the nail down the middle. Then apply a stroke on each side. Use a paper towel and polish remover to fix any mistakes.
Once nails have dried, repeat the process with a second coat of the same nail polish.
Apply a top coat to ensure that color will last longer.
