Give Yourself the Perfect At-Home Mani With These 9 Steps
In honor of Nail Polish Day on June 1, we figure now's the perfect time to let you in on one of our best kept secrets.
When it comes to our nails, we want them to be perfect. And since we're in quarantine, we can't go to the salon, which leaves us to be the manicurists! At first, it might seem like an impossible and daunting task, but giving yourself a salon-worthy manicure is actually not that hard if you have the right tools and products.
Keep reading to find out how to give yourself the perfect at-home mani with these nine steps:
(via Shutterstock)
1. Soak
KBShimmer Pink Sugar Mani Shot: $2.50
Start out your at-home mani experience by soaking your nails in warm water. We like adding in a mani shot, which is full of healthy oils and butters for your nails. After letting them soak for about ten minutes, rub the excess oil in the water into your hands and nails.
(via KBShimmer)
2. Scrub
KBShimmer Just Beachy Sugar Scrub: $10
Since you're probably dealing with dry hands due to washing them so much, it's important to keep them moisturized and hydrated. We recommend using a scrub, like this one from KBShimmer. Gently rub the scrub in circular motions and wash away with warm water for optimal results.
(via KBShimmer)
3. Cuticles
KBShimmer Rainbow Finish Cuticle Nippers: $12
Once your nails are soaked and scrubbed, it's time to move on to the cuticles. Start out with some cuticle nippers to cut off any dead skin around or on your nails.
(via KBShimmer)
KBShimmer Rainbow Finish Dual Ended Cuticle Pusher: $9
If it's been a while since you've pushed back your cuticles, you need this tool in your life. It gently pushes back your cuticles, leaving you with pristine nails ready to be painted.
(via KBShimmer)
4. Nail Shape
KBShimmer Crystal Nail File: $6.50
Next up, make sure to file your nails into a desired length and shape. Make sure your nails all look even and clean. We recommend sticking with a rounded shape so they don't get caught on anything down the road.
(via KBShimmer)
5. Strengthen Nails
KBShimmer Nail Strengthener: $6
If you regularly bite your nails or they're just weak and brittle in general, this nail strengthener will seriously change your life.
(via KBShimmer)
KBShimmer pH Balancing Nail Prep: $6
We love giving our nails a fighting chance, which is why we recommend using this pH balancer. It's great to put on before your initial base coat so that the polish sticks to those beds.
(via KBShimmer)
6. Base Coat
KBShimmer Basic Training Nail Polish Base Coat: $6
If you like using standard base coats, this is the product for you. It's great because it acts sort of like double sided tape, giving your nails extra protection and a chance for your polish to stay on longer.
(via KBShimmer)
KBShimmer Fillin' Groovy Ridge Filling Nail Polish Base Coat: $6
If you recently removed gel or fake nails of any sort, your nails might not be super even. We turn to this groove filling product, as it's able to fill in ridges as well as act as a great base coat.
(via KBShimmer)
7. Polish
KBShimmer White Here White Now Nail Polish: $10
Since there are way too many colors out there to choose from when it comes to nail polishes, why not keep things simple with a white polish? It's bright and looks great during the summer months.
(via KBShimmer)
8. Top Coat
KBShimmer Clearly On Top Quick Dry Top Coat: $6
We cannot stress this enough—don't forget to use a top coat! All of your hard work won't be able to shine through if you don't apply this near-final step. It offers your polish shine, dries quickly and keeps everything locked in.
(via KBShimmer)
KBShimmer Vegan Clean Up Brush: $8
Since you're likely not ambidextrous, you're going to need some assistance cleaning up polish that may have gotten on the skin around your nails. This clean-up brush will get the job done in a quick and tidy manner.
(via KBShimmer)
9. Maintenance
KBShimmer Blushed Orchid Cuticle Oil Pen: $6
We're low-key obsessed with cuticle oils, so when we found this portable version, we knew we needed to get our hands on it. It's super important to keep your cuticles hydrated, so pop this pen in your purse and apply throughout the day as needed!
(via KBShimmer)
Love your fresh nails? Click HERE for Instagram captions to show off your new manicure.