A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands. A manicure consists of filing and shaping the free edge of nails, pushing (with a cuticle pusher) and clipping (with cuticle nippers) any nonliving tissue (cuticle) that may be attached to the nail plate, treatments with various liquids, powders, and waxes. The process is finished with the application of polish.

Giving yourself a manicure at home is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, it can be quite relaxing! Follow these simple steps and you’ll have beautiful nails in no time.

Before you begin, gather all of the supplies you’ll need:

-Nail file

-Nail clippers

-Cuticle pusher or orange stick

-Cuticle nippers (optional)

-Cotton balls or pads soaked in acetone or nail polish remover

-Nail brush

-Soapy water or bowl filled with warm water

-Towel

-Hand cream or lotion

-Nail polish of your choice

Start by removing any old nail polish from your nails. Next, use your nail file to shape your nails into the desired shape. If your nails are particularly long, you may want to trim them down with nail clippers first. Once your nails are filed, it’s time to push back your cuticles. Soak a cotton ball in acetone or nail polish remover and gently massage it into your cuticles until they are soft enough to push back with a cuticle pusher or orange stick. If you have particularly stubborn cuticles, you can use cuticle nippers to trim them away before pushing them back. Once your cuticles are pushed back, use a nail brush to scrub away any dirt or debris from under your nails.

Now that your nails are clean and ready for polish, it’s time to give yourself a hand massage! Start by applying some hand cream or lotion to your hands and rub it in until it’s fully absorbed. Then, using circular motions massage each hand for about 2 minutes until the muscles feel relaxed. Finally rinse off any excess cream with soapy water or warm water from a bowl and pat dry with a towel.. Now that your hands are feeling refreshed, it’s time to apply some polish! Begin by applying a base coat of polish if desired then paint on 2 coats of color allowing each coat to dry completely before moving on.. Finish up by applying a top coat of clear polish for extra shine and protection.. And that’s it! You’ve just given yourself a perfect at home manicure..