A Quick Do-it-Yourself Manicure

A do-it-yourself manicure can be accomplished quickly and easily in the comfort of your own home.

If you are rushed for time, a simple no-polish manicure can be done:

1. Remove the old polish, then wash and dry your hands thoroughly.

2. After filing and shaping your nails to a conservative length, apply a small amount of cuticle oil around the cuticles to soften them. A wooden cuticle stick should be used to push the cuticles back around each nail.

3. The last step in a quick manicure is buffing the nails to a shine and applying a generous amount of lotion on your hands.

If you have some more time, add another step:

After removing old nail polish, soak your hand in luke-warm soapy water for 5-10 minutes to soften the skin. Then proceed as above. End with a fresh coat of polish.

Things to Remember in a DIY Manicure:

There are several things to remember in any do-it-yourself manicure.

• The first step is to carefully remove the old polish before reapplying the new. It is usually not a good idea to layer more polish on top of the old, because of the clumpy, uneven surface it may leave.
   
• A small amount of polish thinner can be added to a used bottle of nail polish. However, you may prefer to switch to a new bottle of polish.
   
• Always begin with a clear base coat on clean nails to smooth out ridges and imperfections, followed by the nail color.

• The polish is brushed in three swipes from the cuticle to the nail tip, one on each side and one down the middle.
   
• A wooden nail stick can be used to remove any excess polish around the nails.
   
• The final topcoat will seal and add shine to your manicure. Remember to allow at least an hour for the nails to dry, to avoid any chips or nicks.