How to do a home manicure in 10 steps!
It is perfectly possible to achieve a home manicure, without any special equipment, just like in a salon. And for those who don't know exactly what a manicure is, a quick definition: it's a beauty treatment to beautify the nails, but also the hands! To help you, here's a little easy manicure tutorial in 10 steps.
To successfully do your manicure, here's the equipment you'll need:
- nail polish remover;
- reusable wipes;
- a glass nail file;
- a cuticle pusher;
- a buffer;
- a base coat;
- a top coat;
- a hand cream.
Step 1: Remove old nail polish
First, if you're wearing nail polish, remove it! Pour a few drops of nail polish remover onto a wipe and let it sit on your nails for a few minutes, then you can slide them off and remove the remaining polish from your nails.
We advise you to opt for an acetone-free nail polish remover like the natural nail polish remover enriched with castor oil developed by Clever Beauty. We also give you other tips to choose an effective and safe natural nail polish remover.
Regarding wipes, we prioritize zero waste, so we can only recommend using reusable wipes, and more specifically the dissolvettes which are softer for makeup removal, eco-responsible, and ethical (they are designed in an ESAT in Marseille). Although they may take on the color of the nail polish (which is completely normal), they remain just as effective.
Step 2: File your nails
After washing your hands, determine the nail length you prefer for yourself. We emphasize "for yourself," as this can depend on the length of your nail plate. This is the part of the nail attached to the finger (the pink part, the white part being the free edge that extends beyond).
You must then determine the shape you wish to give your nails:
- square;
- rounded;
- pointed;
- almond;
- oval, etc.
Once the shape is chosen, file in the same direction, without back-and-forth movements, to avoid damaging the nail. Regarding the file, as we indicated for taking care of your nails, we recommend using a glass file.
Step 3: Soften cuticles
Are you satisfied with the shape of your nails? Now, it's time to soak your fingers in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes. No need to pile on products and use emollient gel. Warm water helps soften cuticles and the small pieces of skin attached to the side of the nail (also called hangnails).
Then, take a metal cuticle pusher to gently push them back (we emphasize gently) and lift the small pieces of skin on the nail surface. And make sure to go to the sides of the nail.
If they resist, stop there, and daily massage them with oil to soften them. This is a long-term effort!
Step 4: Clean your nails
Now, you can take a small wooden stick and gently slide it under each of your nails to clean them. This is mainly to remove dirt and other small dust particles.
Step 5: Buff the nail
Next, take a buffer and buff your nails, 10 minutes per side, to make them smoother and shinier. This also helps activate blood circulation and facilitates nail polish application. In addition, this step can help to erase ridges or whiten slightly yellow nails.
But even though it makes for a beautiful nail, you shouldn't overdo it, as this action could weaken the nail since it thins it.
You can skip this step if you use our 3-in-1 polish: #13 Parfaite, which is an excellent ridge filler, hardener, and beautifier.
Step 6: Choose your manicure
But what kind of manicure should you do? Because there are several types of manicures, including:
- French manicure: the color redefines the white part of the nail;
- false nails or American nails: false nails are glued, sculpted, and colored over natural nails; at Clever Beauty, we advise against this option to keep nails healthy;
- classic manicure with polish;
- and many other styles.
You'll find plenty of nail manicure photos on the Internet or even nail art manicure tutorials.
For this tutorial, we will focus on a simple manicure.
Step 7: Apply the base coat
Now that you've chosen your manicure style, it's time to apply the base coat. This is an important step because it both protects the nail and prevents discoloration, and at the same time, helps the polish last longer.
Here too, we have developed a base coat, the #12 Green Top & Base polish, enriched with green tea extract (rich in antioxidants) and avocado (which nourishes the cuticles), and free of endocrine disruptors and ten other toxic substances commonly found in polishes.
Step 8: Apply the nail polish
Then comes the moment to apply the nail polish. Depending on the polish, several coats may be necessary. If you apply multiple coats, first apply a thin layer, then a second thicker one, allowing 10 minutes to dry between each coat.
Manicure tip: Apply your polish very close to the cuticle, but without touching it. Leave about 1 mm of space between the cuticle and the polish. Then stretch it to the sides of the nail.
You can even use a small wooden stick dipped in nail polish remover to clean up any excess and round off the polish application if you find it more aesthetically pleasing.
Step 9: Apply a top coat
Once your polish is applied, you need to protect it. To do this, apply your top coat, which helps to make the polish shine while improving its longevity.
And it's a good thing, because our base coat also acts as a top coat (refer to step 7)! Oh, and we forgot to mention: there's no polish waste, because when you're halfway through, you can press down on the top of the cap so that the brush can pick up the rest of the product at the bottom of the bottle.
Step 10: Care for your hands
And we don't stop there!
Last but not least: hand care. As we said in the introduction, hands are also part of it, because what would pretty nails be without pretty hands?
Before using a cream, you can do a scrub. We recommend a fine-grain scrub with oil and powdered sugar, as the skin in this area is still quite delicate.
Once the scrub is done, apply a cream or vegetable oil, and spread, spread, spread. Depending on the chosen cream, it can nourish, moisturize, or protect the hands.
And there you have it, now you know how to have perfect nails!
And on your side, what do you think is the best way to do your nails? What type of manicure do you like to do for your nails?
