Ever since the mandated nail salons closures as a result of COVID-19, we have seen the “quarantine nails” tag take off. If there is anything being stuck at home can teach us — whether it’s by choice or due to a pandemic — it is that there are a many kind of services that we have paid and yet we are capable to do it ourselves. At home manicures are an ideal instance of this case.
Having a manicure is your ultimate self-care motive. It is very relaxing, indulgence, and is there anything better than the sense of newly done nails? That said, manicures may add up depending on the kind of manicure you have, be it you have chosen for shellac gel, nail extensions, or plain nail polish.
We got it. Our nails are yelling for some TLC too. That is why we contacted our nail technicians in Hera salons to break down in details all that you need to know to understand how to perform a manicure in the comfort of your house during this quarantine period. From removal of shellac or gel nail polish to shaping, buffing, and polishing, follow along for a simple, cost-effective at home manicure.
The following is the requirement for a home manicure during quarantine:
SPACE
In order to perform a manicure in your home, you will need space to get the task done. The bathroom may be the easiest place to get your nails done but you may also lay a towel out and do your manicure while watching your Netflix. For more of a home manicure lavish experience, you may consider establish a nail station on a desk to imitate what you would typically experience in a salon.
PATIENCE AND TIME
First of all, to get a home manicure done, you will require patience and time. Once you are able to set your mind to it, block out a few hours to truly commit to this job especially when you are doing a manicure for yourself the first time.
TOOLS
You need to have all your tools ready so that everything will be within your reach.
How to remove gel nails at home
There is not many women know how to remove their shellac gel themselves and peeling it off from the nails is certainly not an easy and safe job. Should you still have any residual polish out of your last shellac manicure, here is how to eliminate your gel nails in your home.
THE TOOLS:
Nail File
Buffer
Foil
Cotton Balls
Cuticle Pusher
Acetone
Cuticle Oil
Hand Lotion
STEP 1: BUFFING OFF THE TOP COAT
You have to use a nail file to buff off the top coat of polish. As the top coat of a shellac manicure is very strong, it will have to be buffed down so that the acetone can penetrate deep enough to completely soak off the polish. Without this buffing step, you may be at this for a short time.
STEP 2: APPLY ACETONE & WRAP NAILS WITH TIN FOIL
Cut a piece of foil into squares that can wrap firmly round your fingers. Dip the cotton balls with acetone and apply the cottons to every fingernail, then employ the pieces of foil to fasten them by wrapping them around your finger. You can use any kind of foil for this purpose, such as our typical kitchen foil.
STEP 3: LET YOUR NAILS SOAK
After you have fastened the tinfoil around the cotton pads on your fingernails, then allow the foils to stay for ten to fifteen minutes! (A.k.a Netflix & Nails)
STEP 4: SCRAPE OFF GEL POLISH WITH A CUTICLE PUSHER
Now since your polish has been soaked, it is time to employ a cuticle pusher or an orange wood stick to gently and carefully scrape off the gel polish. Be cautious not to dig into your nail plate because this can harm your nails. In case the polish does not completely come off, don’t fret. Just put the finger wraps back on and soak it again for a little longer time!
STEP 5: LIGHTLY BUFF
Once you have got all the gel polish removed, take a buffer and then gently buff the rough pieces of remaining base coat to smoothen out everything.
STEP 6: COMPLETE WITH CUTICLE OIL AND HAND LOTION
To achieve the salon-like experience, finish up with some cuticle oil and hand cream to moisturize your hands and nails and leave them feeling clean and fresh.
The Way to perform a home manicure
Now your nails are clean and fresh from the past manicure, it is time to glisten them up.
THE TOOLS:
Nail File
Nail Clippers (if required)
Nail Polish Remover/Acetone
Buffer
Cuticle Pusher
Cuticle Oil
Hand Lotion
Cotton Pads
Base Coat
Coloured Polish
Top Coat
STEP 1: CLIP YOUR NAILS
If your fingernails are too long for your liking, then clip your nails shorten them and give them more of a desirable shape. This is also when you are going to be able to remove hangnails and clean away any residual build up under your nails.
STEP 2: BUFF YOUR NAILS
Employ a fingernail buffer to marginally buff the fingernail and then smoothen out any little imperfections. This will produce a more sleek canvas for your nail polish application and also will avoid a bumpy and uneven texture underneath.
STEP 3: GENTLY PUSH BACK YOUR CUTICLES
Gently push your cuticles with a cuticle pusher or a orange wood stick. Prevent trimming your cuticles, as that is a tedious job to leave it to the professional nail technicians.
STEP 4: APPLY YOUR CUTICLE OIL
Apply your cuticle oil by gently massaging it into your cuticles and fingers. Besides, this is the right time to moisturize your hands with a cream. As with the hand washing that you have been performing and hand sanitizer you have already been employing, your hands should be fairly dry at this time.
STEP 5: REMOVE THE OILS WITH A COTTON PAD
Using a cotton pad with some acetone on it to remove any residual oils round your nail bed and not your nail. It will be even nicer when you have a lint-free cotton pad. Please ensure that the removal of oils on the nail is avoided, since the oils will improve the adhesion of the nail polish and prevent chipping of the nail. Aside from your nail beds, please make sure that everything else is oiled up!
STEP 6: OPEN YOUR POLISH BOTTLES
Open every of your bottles with the lids open loosely on top to be certain that you are able to open the bottles after. Thereafter, when your nails are wet, then you are going to prevent smudging them by trying to open a tacky bottle.
Step 7: Base Coat Application
This is the time to apply the base coat to produce a glossy canvas for your nail polish. If you are not into painting your nails, then you may just use double coats of nail hardener or strengthener and call it a day.
Step 8: Colour Application
Now is the time to do the painting. Firstly, prepare your nail polish by holding and rolling the polish bottle between both your hands. Please do not shake the polish bottle, as shaking the bottle up and down will cause bubbles and that is no bueno. As soon as your polish is prepared, begin with applying two thin coats of your color of choice. Let each coat semi-dry in between to prevent globs and mess.
STEP 9: GLOSSY TOP COAT APPLICATION
To provide that shiny finish and safeguard your polish, top up your fingernails with a top coating.
STEP 10: CLEANING UP
Use a Q-tip with acetone to clean up any stray nail polish around your skin.
STEP 11: DRY THOSE NAILS
Now is for the simple part–allow those babies dry. Though your top of the nails may start to dry first, make sure to wait for a solid hour before you start using your own fingers.
Suggestion from our nail technicians:
Perform a single full hand at one time if you are concerned about smudging while utilizing your non dominant hand. Just make sure you give each layer a fair chance to dry in between the coatings! Thin layers are better than one thick gloopy one!
Upcoming, we will have the following At Home DIY to Pamper Yourself:
DIY HAIR MASKS
If you’re as devoted to hair as we are, try out some home DIY hair masks. We have put together a listing of nourishing DIY hair masks which it is possible to use on your hair or hair extensions, or even both soon!
OIL SCRUBS
Staying inside may cause your skin to dry depending on your indoor air flow and ventilation. Luckily, you can always attempt some DIY oil scrubs to moisturize skin and leave it feeling soft and nourished.
BIOTIN SHAKE
If you do not think shakes and smoothies are a kind of self care, it is time to attempt making some extra nourishing morning drinks. Biotin shakes are tasty, full of nutrients, and even stimulate hair growth! We have some DIY multi-vitamin shake recipe for you to try out soon!
DIY SCALP SCRUB
Scrub are not only for moisturizing skin as they are for moisturizing your hair scalp too! Sit back, relax, and pamper your scalp with our DIY scalp recipe you most likely already have the ingredients for!
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