Everyone loves having perfectly manicured hands, but not everyone has the time or the money to go to a salon. The good news is that you do not have to go to a salon to get a great manicure. Just follow the steps below for a great manicure you can give yourself at home.

Clip Your Nails

This step is optional, if you are happy with the length of your nails. If you aren’t, trim them to your ideal length.

File Your Nails

The goal here is to both smooth the tips of your nails and get the shape you desire. Make sure your file isn’t dull or dirty before you start.

Oil Your Cuticles

You can use either cuticle oil or remover for this step. Allow it to sit for as long as the package indicates before you soak your fingers.

Soak Your Fingers

The water should be warm, but not hot. Keep your fingers in the water for 1-2 minutes, allowing the cuticles to become nice and soft.

Push Your Cuticles Back

Be gentle with this step—it is easy to go overboard, leaving your cuticles sore and raw. This is bad not only due to the pain, but due to the risk of infection. Be gentle and use an cuticle pusher to get the job done.

Buff Your Nails

The smoother the nail bed, the better the polish will look. Once again, be gentle with this step and use a high-quality nail buffer.

Moisturize and Massage

This is always the best part, so use a quality cream and take your time. If you want to learn how to do the massage well, watch a few YouTube videos and practice.

Apply the Base Coat

Do you need to use a base? No, but it will give you a more professional look and will allow the polish to last longer. Apply one coat and allow it to thoroughly dry before moving on.

Apply the Polish

You will need two coats to get the finished look. Once again, allow them to completely dry between coats.

Apply the Top Coat

This is where you can either get the perfect shine or a nice, matte look. Once this is applied, give your nails plenty of time to dry and set. You are now good to go!

Do you give yourself manicures at home? How often do you do it?