To get a great manicure at home, do as the pros do by spending as much time on nail care as you do polishing them. That means starting with a good nail polish remover like Sally Hansen's. It quickly takes off all polish (even glitter) and has essenti...
($25 Value) Zoya Remove Plus Acetone 3-in-1 Nail Polish Remover, 32 Oz
Step 2: Clip, file, and buff.
This is when you're going to want to bust out that manicure set. Clip nails first, if necessary. Then file gently, moving in one direction to get your tips square, round, or somewhere in between. Have thin nails? Try this tip we got from celebrity ma...
Prep cuticles with cuticle remover—make sure it's not an oil or a balm—to help dissolve dead skin and soften the area. Contrary to popular belief, cuticle oils and cuticle removers are not one and the same, nor can they be used interchangeably. Oils ...
Deborah Lippmann - Exfoliating Cuticle Remover Nail Treatment
Step 4: Exfoliate your hands.
Exfoliate hands, wrists, and forearms with a scrub that eliminates dead skin cells and replenishes moisture (try this one from SheaMoisture). Grab your orange stick again to gently clean any grime from under nails. Wash hands afterward and dry them t...
Moisturize now to avoid smudging almost-dry nail polish later. A luxe, light alternative to hand cream that's also ideal for cuticle hydration: Mario Badescu Rose Hips Nourishing Oil, which manicurist Geraldine Holford used for Gigi Hadid's showstopp...
Apply a base coat to hydrate and protect nails and prevent chipping. Then chill for a few. Nail guru Essie Weingarten, founder of Essie, recommends waiting two full minutes between each coat, starting with the base coat. Try Essie Here to Stay to loc...
Now for the fun part: Paint your nails with a coat of your color of choice (some faves, here, if you need ideas), being sure to get the brush all the way down to the cuticle and into the corners of your nail. Maximum coverage on the first coat makes ...& June, to keep your hand steadier as you paint.
After a nice full two minutes (set your iPhone timer if you know you're going to cheat), apply the second coat of nail polish. Sheer or pastel shades may require a third coat for full, seamless coverage. Just remember to keep it nice and thin. Altern...
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Color, Onyx-Pected, 0.5 oz, At Home Gel Nail Polish, Gel Nail Polish, No UV Lamp Needed, Long Lasting, Chip Resistant
Step 9: Finish with a topcoat.
A topcoat protects your manicure from chipping and adds shine to nails—don't skip it, or you'll significantly shorten the lifespan of the paint job you just worked so hard on. It's especially crucial to lock in any cute nail designs you've attempted....
Zoya Naked Manicure Glossy Seal Top Coat, 0.5 Fl Oz
Step 10: Clean up rough edges and let your nails dry.
Tidy up any mistakes or wobbly edges by wrapping a piece of cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover around the end of your cuticle stick and carefully trace around your nails. If you have nail polish remover pads, try folding one into a triangle fo...
