How to Do A Manicure at Home: Tips from Eva Amurri! - The Local Moms Network | TLMN
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This story was shared by Eva Amurri and originally appeared on Happily Eva After. 

 

Eva Amurri Martino of Happily Eva After, Sarah, owner of Indigo Acupuncture + Wellness, Lauren, owner Dudley Stephens, and blogger Julia from Lemon Stripes throw a tea party for their daughters

SUPPLIES…

STEP 1: CLEAN YOUR NAILS

If you have normal nail polish on your nails, take some nail polish remover and some cotton balls and gently rub the polish off your nails.

Even if you don’t have polish on your nails currently, it’s always a good idea to run a cotton ball with nail polish remover over all your nails just to remove any oils or dirt.

If you have gel nail polish on your nails, you’ll need a nail file, a good acetone-based lacquer remover, cotton balls, and some aluminum foil. First, you have to buff your nails with a nail file, removing the shiny coating from the gel polish. Next, cut your aluminum foil into ten 4″ x 4″ pieces. Pour some of the acetone into a small bowl and then place ten cotton balls in the acetone until they are completely soaked. Take one cotton ball at a time and place one over one of your nails. Then take one of the tinfoil pieces you cut earlier and place it over the soaked cotton ball and wrap it around your entire finger. Repeat this for all your other nails and leave them on for 15 minutes.

Once the 15 minutes are up, remove the tin foil and the cotton balls, and, with a cuticle pusher, gently scrape the gel off the nail.

 

Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover

This is a gentle, acetone-free nail polish remover that works really well to remove even dark polish.

 
 

Solimo Cotton Balls

These are a must!

 

TsMADDTs Nail Files and Buffers

It’s best to have a few nail files and buffers on hand so that once they start to wear down you have more.

 
 

 

O.P.I. Expert Touch Lacquer Remover

This is saving my life right now, guys!

 
 

Solimo Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil

A must-have for gel polish removal!

 

Yougai Stainless Steel Manicure Kit

You will never need to buy another nail kit again!

 

STEP 2: TRIM, FILE, BUFF

Take your nail clipper and trim your nails to your desired length.

Next, take your nail file and gently file your nails, going only in one direction, until you achieve your desired shape.

Then, take your nail buffer and buff your nail all over — the top, the sides — everywhere. This removes your nails’ natural oils, which can ruin your manicure once you start to apply polish.

STEP 3: PUSH BACK + TRIM CUTICLES

Prep your cuticles with a good cuticle remover, which will help exfoliate your nail bed.

Then, take your cuticle pusher and push your nail beds back gently. Trim your cuticles (if needed) with a cuticle trimmer.

Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Lab Kit

This kit will save your cuticles! It includes Cuticle Oil, Cuticle Remover, Cuticle Cream, and a Cuticle Pusher all in one handy set.

 
 

STEP 4: EXFOLIATE YOUR HANDS

I love a good hand exfoliator, and when I’m giving myself a manicure it’s an absolute must.

Rub a scrub all over your hands, wrists, and forearms, and then wash it off well. Pat your hands to dry.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hand & Body Scrub

This hand scrub smells like heaven!

 

STEP 5: MOISTURIZE

Apply a hydrating hand cream to your hands, and take special care around your cuticles.

Then, and this is an important step, wipe your nails down with some nail polish remover so there’s no residue before you start applying polish.

GROWN ALCHEMIST Hand Cream – Vanilla & Orange Peel

This hand cream is heavenly. It softens and hydrates hands but doesn’t leave them greasy.

 

STEP 6: APPLY A BASE COAT

Apply your base coat and let it dry for about 2 minutes.

 

Deborah Lippmann All About That Base Coat

The best base!

 

STEP 7: APPLY YOUR POLISH

Apply a thin coat of polish to your nails, and then let them dry for two minutes. Something that can make painting your nails easier is a polish handle.

After the first coat of polish has sat undisturbed for two minutes, apply a second coat.

Olive & June The Poppy Manicure Tool

This thing is the best invention!

 
 

Deborah Lippmann Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

This color is EVERYTHING!

 

STEP 8: APPLY YOUR TOPCOAT

Topcoat is what keeps your manicure from chipping, and it also gives it that salon-quality look.

Apply your topcoat to your nails two minutes after the second coat. If you’re in a hurry to use your hands, The Wait Is Over Quick-Dry Drops from Deborah Lippmann will dry your polish in 60 seconds! Brilliant!

 

Deborah Lippmann Addicted to Speed Quick-Drying Nail Top Coat

This is a high shine topcoat that dries in a flash!

 

 

Deborah Lippmann The Wait is Over Quick-Dry Drop

These are essential if you’re a parent and you can’t wait around for your nail to dry!