Salon Manicures and Pedicures At Home

Spring is here and its time to get those toes and fingers in shape. Maybe you can't afford the expensive salon treatments. If you would like to save money and want to attempt your own manicures and pedicures at home, here are the simple steps to achieve your own salon style treatment.

1. Remove all nail polish, clip & file nails where needed.


2. In a large bowl or plastic tub, put Epsom salts, milk or essential oils into warm water to create a luxurious, at-home spa experience. Put olive oil, baby oil or any oil you have at home onto your cuticles while you’re soaking.


3. Push back cuticles with a cuticle stick after soaking, but don’t cut cuticles!. Only trim hangnails or ragged cuticles on the side. If you trim your cuticles the wrong way, it can cause damage and peeling.


4. Exfoliate with a scrub. Scrubs can be purchased or you can make one with sugar or salt and olive oil. You can also add lemon or lime for the citrus touch and smell. The texture from sugar and salt will scrub your dead skin off. After exfoliating, scrub your calluses on your feet with a pumice stone. Then rinse well.


5. Place a moist towel warmed in the microwave just like they do at the nail salon on your hands and feet. This promotes circulation it feels really good and makes you feel pampered.


6. Use a non-greasy lotion to moisturize your hands and feet. Next, remove any oil and lotion residue on your nails with a non-acetone nail polish remover. This is an important step: your nail polish will not last if there’s any greasiness on your nails.


7. Base coat: If you have weak nails, use a nail strengthener in place of a base coat. Otherwise, apply one coat of base coat. Carefully apply two layers of nail color and make sure the polish dries in between coats. Then, one coat of top coat will seal your nails—preferably a quick dry top coat.

Be sure to touch up the edge of your nails with color and top coat since the polish comes off there first. Plus, it will look finished and professional—like you got them done at a salon!

Hint: To ensure your nail products retain freshness, store them in the refrigerator.