How to Give Yourself a Nail Manicure

Supplies:
4-Way smoothing block
Cotton balls
Cuticle oil
Emery board
Hand lotion
Nail polish remover
Sharp nail cleaner
Small towel
Warm soap water in a small bowl

Step 1: Lay a small towel down to cover your nail care area.

Step 2: Remove old nail polish.

Step 3: With an emery board, file your fingernails. Do not file back and forth, only in one direction to avoid nail breakage and splitting.

Step 4: With a 4-way smoothing block, run sides 1, 2, and 3 along your nails for about 10 seconds. Use the medium gritty side (side 1) to continue shaping your nails. Use the fine grit side (side 2) to remove any stains from polish or rough ridges. Use the smooth side (side 3) to buff and refine your nails.

Step 5: Use the sharp nail cleaner to clean dirt underneath fingernails.

Step 6: Soak your hands in warm, soapy water for 5 minutes to get rid of excess dirt from hands and nails.

Step 7: Dry hands.

Step 8: Use the shiny side (side 4) to give your nails a glossy feel and look. (Note: This option can be completed in Step 4, but soaking the hands tends to dull the shine.)

Step 9: Pour one drop of cuticle oil on each nail and massage on the cuticles. (Note: If you are not a professional, massaging cutice oil is a better option than cutting a cuticle because you could cut the cuticle too deep. The warm water has already loosened your cuticles, so it's also unnecessary.)

Step 10: Pour hand lotion into your hands, and rub along each nail and between fingers.