Nail Your DIY Manicure

Save money at the salon by getting a perfect mani at home every time. Here's all you need to know according to GH Beauty Lab experts and pro technicians, from easy steps to genius tips, styles, nail care and more.

- APRIL FRANZINO

6 Steps to a Flawless Mani

Use the below method to polish like a professional.

STEP 1

Nail prep

Start with a clean slate: First "use nail polish remover to remove any polish," advises Hannah Lee, a professional manicurist and Sally Hansen brand ambassador. Follow up with one more swipe of remover. "Any oil, moisturizer or cuticleremoving products left on nails can cause bubbles in your nail polish and quick chipping," says Mabelyn Alva, creative director at Paintbox Nails in New York City.

STEP 2

File + buff

"Filing ensures uniform nail length and shape and can prevent uneven edges," says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, cofounder of OPI. While emery boards work, pros prefer gentler glass nail files. Pick a nail shape (page 10) and file in one direction, as moving back and forth "can tear nails," especially if using an emery board, says Syreeta Aaron, a LeChat Nails educator in Montgomery, AL. Buff nails lightly with a buffing block to help polish glide on evenly.

STEP 3

Cuticle care

Apply a cuticle softener around cuticles, then wait one to two minutes. Gently push back cuticles by using a cuticle stick or pusher and wipe the excess away. Finish by massaging a few drops of cuticle oil into the skin around nails to soften it and extend the life of your manicure, Alva suggests.

STEP 4

Base layer