“We all love getting that mani-pedi, but not so much the cost…..Here are some ways to feel great with your nails done without spending the money.”
Whether it’s for a special event, or just for everyday, having your nails done always makes you look and feel more put together. Yet, maintaining your nails and toes can be very expensive to keep up with. Not only are there neat ideas that can be achieved at home, but also there are also simple ways to get that perfect salon quality manicure on your own. One of the biggest problems most people have with doing their own nails is not having a steady enough hand. This often results in getting the polish all over your fingers and hands.
1. Have a friend do your nails and then you do theirs
This avoids having to use your non-dominant hand as well as the fact that it is easier to paint someone else’s nails rather than your own. You can both get a steady handed manicure for free!
2. Use masking tape
You can place masking tape all around your nail so that you can paint on the nail as much as you want without any of the polish getting all over your skin!
The second problem people run into when doing their own nails is not being able to achieve certain nail art that only the real nail salon artists can do. Such as the perfect French tip, a pattern or design. Luckily there are several ways that this can be done at home:
1. Use tape for a French tip
After putting the first coat of a neutral color on your nails, and allowing it to dry, you can then use tape at the tip of your nail to achieve a perfect line for the white tip. This can be done by actually buying tape that is meant for this which can be found at most cosmetic stores. Even using regular masking tape to cover the rest of your nail that you do not want the white polish on!
2. Use thin nail polish pens
Many stores that carry regular nail polish also carry the nail polish pens. There are different sizes and brands in these pens, but if you buy ones thin enough, you can create your own designs. Just paint your nails first with the desired color, let them dry, then paint on whatever designs, patterns, or images you want. It may also be easer to grab a friend and do each other’s!
3. Use stick on nail polish
The new trend of using the stick on nail polish kits seemed a bit weird to people at first, but in fact the stick on polish actually works really well! All you have to do is size it to your nail and then stick it on. There is no chipping or having to wait for it to dry. Also, there are a wide variety of different colors, patters and designs available with the stick on polish. The Essie brand stick on polish is one of the best ones out there!
4. Try the nail polish swirl in water technique
The nail polish swirl in water technique is one of the most fascinating ways to do your nails right at home. This one is hard to explain but there are hundreds of YouTube tutorials on how to do it, and it is actually very simple to do! With this technique you are able to achieve multiple colors on your nail in a perfect swirl that looks professionally done!
The last obstacle many women face with doing their own nails at home is waiting for them to dry. When you get your nails done at a salon, it’s easy to sit there and let them dry under the fans so that when you leave you don’t have to worry about smudging them. Yet, when you’re at home, who has time to sit for 20 minutes not doing anything ,allowing them to dry? Have you ever thought your nails were dry and then went to fix your hair and the nail polish gets all smudged and in your hair? The best thing to do, is NOT do your nails right before you have something to do! Here are some easy ways to let your nails dry while not being completely bored or impatient:
- Talk on the phone until they are dry. (Preferably speaker phone)
- Watch TV
- On the computer,Typing usually doesn’t mess up your nails!
- When they are almost dry, run cold water on them. This helps them dry a little bit faster!
We all want to look put together with our nails done without paying the price. Hopefully these simple and easy tips can help you achieve a perfect manicure for every day of the week!
Story By Julia Mallozzi
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