DIY manicures- any ideas?

harryharp

One of my new years resolutions is to start looking after my hands and nails better, so yesterday I went to a beauty salon for a manicure. I was charged £15 (ouch!!!)- I suppose this is normal, but I really begrudge paying this for something I could probably do myself with a bit of practice. It's not even as if it's lasted very long either, as the polish is already starting to chip off after one day!

Anyway, what I want to ask is, what products would folks recommend for a DIY manicure, and has anyone got any tips on how to do it? I have to keep my nails short because of my job, so basically I just want my nails to look neat and tidy, perhaps just buffed or with a subtle polish like pale pink or peach. Also I have very tough and dry cuticles- I use Solar cuticle oil on them already, but they are still problematic!

Any ideas gratefully received.

Fen1

Buy a really good quality nailfile e.g. Virgin Vie glass nail file. They cost a fair bit, but will last for years, and give excellent results.

Aqueous cream from the chemist (about £2 for a 500ml pot): decant 2 tablespoons into a jar, add the contents of a couple of evening primrose oil capsules, or a teaspoon of vitmain e oil. Use on hands and body. Cheap and effective, even safe on dermatitis and sensitive skin (I know from experience). Use every time after washing hands, and put on under your marigolds when washing up.

To make varnish last longer:
1. A layer of base coat (do not skimp and use cheap stuff - quality will last and protect your nails)

2. Layer of colour.

3. Another layer of colour,

4. Layer of clear or top coat.

To get the best effect, you must wait until each layer is dry. It takes time, but you must not cheat.

Try not to paint your nails too often: your cuticles and skin around the nails will suffer from the polish remover, even if it's acetone-free.

harryharp

Thanks for all that helpful advice Fen. Are there any particular brands of base/top coat or polish that you would recommend?

chattycathy1674

One great treat for your hands....

Have a polish free day every week!

After you have taken off all polish and tidied your cuticles etc..

Pour a little vegetable oil into the palm of your hand. Tip into this some sugar and then give your hands a real good scrub!!
Then a little squirt of handwash/mild washing up liquid to cut the grease and rinse clean. Pat dry and you should have wonderful soft & clean hands!
Massage in a good hand/cuticle cream....Could even use the recipe above!

Best to do this before bed so you can smother your hands, really lash it on and massage in! Get yourself some cotton gloves (Boots/Body Shop sell them) and put them on. Protects your bedding but also helps the cream to absorb.
This treatment is also fab for your feet...stick a pair of old socks on em!

If you want to apply polish next day don't forget to gently wipe over your nails with an acetone free polish remover, just to make sure no grease is still present for when you paint.

A great budget hand cream is Vaseline Hand & Nail Lotion. Can't remember exact price but you get it at most chemists/supermarkets....I know Boots have it. Comes in different sizes too, so you could keep on in your bag for applying during the day. It really is good stuff.
Good base/top coats I have used have come from Boots/Debenhams and Avon....Have a good look on Ebay see if you can find anything there. You might even get a more expensive brand for a bargain price!

As said above...Take your time with the painting and remember to do thin coats. Thick coats of polish will just peel.
If you want an easy but polished look try a chamois buffer & some polish paste. It will last you ages...Not sure where to get these at the mo as I used to buy from my hairdresser wholesalers. Buffing is great as long as you don't do it too hard or too often. It will stimulate the blood flow encouraging growth etc. Maybe pop on a bit of top coat afterwards for a real polished look!
Remember to gently push back your cuticles after every hand wash & apply cream...
Use an emery board not a metal nail file. Remember to file from the side to the middle...one stroke at a time...no see saw actions! Finish off with a downward stroke to the edge.

You certainly don't need to go and pay for a manicure. You'll be an expert in no time!

Anything else...gimme a shout!

Cathy
XoXoX

mum2one

Just a thought, but if you dont want to diy - have you got a local college that does health and beauty - the students do the minicure - lot cheaper than shops, and most do day and evening appointments.

All students are fully supervised, your be saving money + helping the student out by actual experience.

A friend of mine pays £45 a month - facial - similar at clooege £6.00!!

Not just manicures, basically everything in beauty salon, is done at colleges.

shegha

I second that seek out your local college great bargin to be hard, using proffesional products.
Also the girls will talk you through what they are doing if you ask, so you could try at home.
My local college has everything half price for the whole of january !!
Manicure now £2.50

ailuro2

I don't bother with polish- it's too high maintenance cos I'm working with my hands all day.

I do like to buff my nails though- it gives them a really nice shine- and the buffer/file pads can be bought for about three pounds from Boots or Superdrug etc. They are the same as the stand in shopping centres where they ask you if they can see your nails- and try to sell you the same thing for £20:eek:

You can use the 'shine' side of the buffer as often as you like, and the shine comes back.

If you do want to put polish on- it goes on really well over the top of buffed nails because there are no ridges on them, so gives a lovely smooth finish.

For something special I give myself a French manicure- it looks good on my hands with reasonably short nails- my nails are quite broad too, so it suits me!:p

harryharp

Thanks for all your detailed advice folks, you are all so kind.

I'm going to try all your ideas! Have just checked out our local college, which is only 5 mins walk away, and they do manicures for £4.50- brilliant idea, many thanks!

One thing I don't understand though. Everything I've ever read (in magazine articles etc) says the same as what Cathy says above- ie. that you shouldn't use a side-to-side action when filing, and also you shouldn't cut your cuticles. But any time I've ever gone for a manicure, they have ALWAYS done precisely these 2 things. So how come they do it and how do they get away with it?

Fen1

They cut the cuticles because it's a quick and cheap way to get rid of them. Top quality beauty salons don't cut, but you need time and fancy equipment for that, rather than a pair of scissors..

I once had a walk-in shop manicure and they cut my cuticles until they bled. It took over a year for them to grow back properly.

Good brands are OPI and Sally Hansen, but even things like Rimmel are fine. Just not the really really cheapies.

Ditto above on the advice of letting your nails go varnish free if possible.

youngsexyandblack

my toptips for a 'bomb will drop' and no chip manicure are

I wouldnt buff nails first (as nail varnish doesnt tend to grip nail plate well)

not MS but a good quality top coat

invest in a bottle of Sally Hansens super shine (lasts me around 6/12 months)
apply as base coat (thinly) 2x, apply manicure and recoat 2/3 times. paying attention to coverage nail tip

if you can get it 'Orly' do a fantastic 'No chip' really good product. apply as above

reapply top coat every couple of days

mine last at least a week rarely chips but can discolour and also can have a kinda of cracking effect if i wear it for longer

harryharp

Thanks Y,S &B. Had a look on Ebay for the Sally Hansen Super Shine. It says it's a top coat. Do you definitely use it as a base coat?
Thanks for all your help.