We know, with this current Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia, you can’t go out to get your nails done but that doesn’t mean your nails gotta look dull and boring! Why not opt for a DIY at-home manicure? Not just a DIY at-home manicure would cost you a fraction of the cost of doing it in the salon but with staying all day, mastering at-home manicure is also a productive way to spend your time. Follow our DIY at home manicure guide and the result will be so good that you’ll have people asking for your salon’s address.

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You know, there is just a real satisfaction in painting your own nails (you get what we mean?!) It is almost so soothing and feels therapeutic as well. Well, we are pretty sure you know how to paint your own nails but it can be hard to imitate the same results at home especially if you’re so used to at the salon. One of the most common problems people face with doing at-home manicure is clogging and smudging. And trust us between all those chipping, warping, and smudging, a lot of things can go wrong. 

Hold on, don’t judge, we are not being a bad sport and discouraging you that you cannot get an Insta-worthy mani by yourself; we are just saying that it takes a little practice and a good method. That’s where we come in to lend you a hand! We chatted few top manicurists in town to spill their secrets on how to perfect at-manicure like a pro and turns out, it’s easier than we thought. In fact, all it takes is just 10 simple steps. Below are the 10 simple steps to nail the art of at-home mani. Try em now!!!

1.  Clean Your Nails

The first and foremost step to get a great manicure at home is cleaning your nails. You need to spend as much time if not more prepping your nails as you do polishing them.  If you have colours on your nails then make sure to remove them. Start off cleaning your nails with a good nail polish remover. It will not only remove any nail polish residues but also has essential nutrients to help strengthen your nails and moisturize your cuticles. Even if you don’t have any colour on, still wipe your nails with a cotton ball to get rid of any oils or dirt. Oh, don’t forget to wash your hands with soap and water after.

2. Shape Your Nails

Before going into filling your nails you gotta shape them first. It is necessary to make sure that all your nail tips are in the same shape! You can shape your nails in any way you like, be it you want your tips square, round, or somewhere in between. Once done shaping, then go on to buff the tops and sides of your nails lightly with a nail buffer. This will help create a smooth surface. It is important for you to buff your nails if not the natural oils in your nails can build up, leaving manicure-ruining residue on them. 

3. Clean Your Cuticles 

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The cuticle is a delicate layer of clear skin located above and around the nail base. It is also known as the nail bed. The function of cuticles is to protect new nails from bacteria when they grow out from the nail root. But they do have the tendency to get dry, damaged, and infected quick.  That’s why it’s important to take care of your cuticles and keep it clean so that your nails stay healthy.

You can clean the cuticles by washing it with a bar of normal soap or handwash. Once you washed your hands then go on to moisturizing your nails. You can moisturize your nails with an oil or a balm. These products will help dissolve dead skin and soften the area. Remember, your cuticles protect your nails from bacteria and keep them soft, so avoid cutting them at all cost!

4.  Exfoliate Your Hands

Once you are done with all the shaping and moisturizing the next step is to exfoliate your hand again. This is to eliminate all the dead cells and replenishes your hand with much-needed moisture. Use any body scrub you like to exfoliate hands, wrists, and forearms with a scrub. Leave the scrub on your hands for 1-2 mins then rinse it off. This will leave you with a soft and smooth hand. Once done exfoliating then again gently clean any grime from under nails. Wash hands afterwards and dry them thoroughly.

5. Moisturize Your Hands and Cuticles

A lot of people be like you should moisturize your hands after coating it, but here’s why you should moisturize before painting. You should moisturize now to avoid smudging almost-dry nail polish later. Just use your normal body lotion to moisturize your hands if not alternatively you can also hand cream. In fact,  a luxe, light hand cream is ideal for cuticle and hand hydration: Take the opportunity to give yourself a mini hand massage. To finish, wipe each nail with nail polish remover to get rid of residue.

6. Apply a Base Coat

Start off the polishing nail session by applying a base coat. A base coat will protect your nail from the damaging effects of nail polish. This includes yellowing of the nail and it will also prevent your nails from becoming brittle. With a base coat on the nail, the nail polish has something to “stick” since the base coat acts as a barrier between the natural nail and the polish. So, make sure to coat your nails with a base first,  then let it dry for a few minutes. 

7. Apply Your First Coat of Colour

Here is the fun part, where you can finally apply a coat of your colour of choice. But when applying your colour be sure to get the brush all the way down to the cuticle and into the corners of your nail. The more area you cover is better because maximum coverage on the first coat makes the second coat a breeze. But make sure to keep the layer thin. Don’t overload the brush and do too many strokes. The key is to load just enough polish on the brush to cover the nail in one coat.

8. Apply Your Second Coat of Colour

Wait for about two minutes (set your timer if you are not sure) after coating the first time. Then, apply the second coat of nail polish. Again, the rule is the same maximum coverage but thin layers. Normal bright shades are done with just two coats but sheer or pastel shades may require a third coat for full, seamless coverage. Keep coating till you reach the colour satisfaction that you are looking for. Just remember to keep it well covered and thin. But don’t layer it too much also, it will end being too thick and clumpy!

9. Finish It With a Topcoat

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A topcoat protects your manicure from chipping and adds shine to nails so don’t skip it!! By skipping topcoat you are significantly shortening the lifespan of the paint job that you just worked so hard on. So, remember to finish off your mani session with a topcoat. However, don’t topcoat immediately after coating your nails. Let the colours to completely dry first. If you apply the top coat on fresh paint it can ruin your entire manicure. So, to get that truly mirrorlike gleam to make sure to topcoat your nails once the colours are dry!

10. Clean Up Your Nails For The Last Time

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 for more precise application. Then let your nails dry an additional five minutes. And waa-laa you are done with your at-home manicure routine. Now it is time to you show off your nails and shock everyone by revealing you did by yourself at home!!!