Manicure
1. First thing's first- you have to get your nails nice and clean before you doll them up. Start by removing any old nail polish using a cotton ball and some remover. There is non-acetone and acetone remover, but the latter works much faster and better on dark colors. And make sure that your nails are left to their natural color once you've removed the polish. Some dark nail polishes can stain the nails and give them a yellow shade. But have no fear? There is a super great product called Bubble White that can get rid of the yellow-y tint in about five minutes.
2. Next step is to get those nails even and beautifully-shaped. You will need a fine-grit file with a 180 to 240 grit. Pick one of these up at any local drug or beauty store. As you begin to file your nails, work from the sides inward to create stronger edges and to avoid any splitting and breakage.
3. Now it is time to buff up those nails. Well, not exactly. Basically, buffing the nails is the same as exfoliating to remove any unwanted particles on the nails. This will allow for the nail to be smoother and the polish to coat better. But be careful. Over-buffing will give you weak nails and the last thing you want is limp fingertip on prom night. Look for a really soft buff, preferably something smoother than 240 grit.
4. After you've gotten your nails all shiny and smooth, it's time to fix the cuticles. The cuticles can often look very ragged and damaged, especially after working a lot with your hands. They too need to be even and smooth. Get some cuticle oil and a cuticle pusher from any beauty store. Then slowly work the oil into your cuticles with the opposite hand. Use the tip of the cuticle pusher to softly even every edge of the cuticles. Repeat on the opposite set of fingers.
5. Once your nails are in tip-top shape, you can get them ready to paint. Use another cotton ball and the same polish remover to remove any excess cuticle oil that is still on the nail. You may also want to consider using a base coat on your nail before applying the colored polish. This will help the color to last longer.
6. After the base coat has finished drying, choose the color you want for your nails. Be sure to choose something that will match your dress. You do not want something that will clash and take away from your make-up jewelry or prom dress. You want to apply two coats of polish. Be prepared with an extra towelette to remove any excess polish that drifts onto your skin. The secret to getting even color is polishing 2/3 down the nail and firmly pressing the polish toward the cuticle. Make sure your brush strokes are equally soft and easy.
7. To finish up your at-home manicure, use a top coat to protect the polish you just so carefully applied. This will prevent the polish from chipping or wearing off. If you have the time and patience, apply top coat every night to keep your nails looking great.
1. First thing's first- you have to get your nails nice and clean before you doll them up. Start by removing any old nail polish using a cotton ball and some remover. There is non-acetone and acetone remover, but the latter works much faster and better on dark colors. And make sure that your nails are left to their natural color once you've removed the polish. Some dark nail polishes can stain the nails and give them a yellow shade. But have no fear? There is a super great product called Bubble White that can get rid of the yellow-y tint in about five minutes.
2. Next step is to get those nails even and beautifully-shaped. You will need a fine-grit file with a 180 to 240 grit. Pick one of these up at any local drug or beauty store. As you begin to file your nails, work from the sides inward to create stronger edges and to avoid any splitting and breakage.
3. Now it is time to buff up those nails. Well, not exactly. Basically, buffing the nails is the same as exfoliating to remove any unwanted particles on the nails. This will allow for the nail to be smoother and the polish to coat better. But be careful. Over-buffing will give you weak nails and the last thing you want is limp fingertip on prom night. Look for a really soft buff, preferably something smoother than 240 grit.
4. After you've gotten your nails all shiny and smooth, it's time to fix the cuticles. The cuticles can often look very ragged and damaged, especially after working a lot with your hands. They too need to be even and smooth. Get some cuticle oil and a cuticle pusher from any beauty store. Then slowly work the oil into your cuticles with the opposite hand. Use the tip of the cuticle pusher to softly even every edge of the cuticles. Repeat on the opposite set of fingers.
5. Once your nails are in tip-top shape, you can get them ready to paint. Use another cotton ball and the same polish remover to remove any excess cuticle oil that is still on the nail. You may also want to consider using a base coat on your nail before applying the colored polish. This will help the color to last longer.
6. After the base coat has finished drying, choose the color you want for your nails. Be sure to choose something that will match your dress. You do not want something that will clash and take away from your make-up jewelry or prom dress. You want to apply two coats of polish. Be prepared with an extra towelette to remove any excess polish that drifts onto your skin. The secret to getting even color is polishing 2/3 down the nail and firmly pressing the polish toward the cuticle. Make sure your brush strokes are equally soft and easy.
7. To finish up your at-home manicure, use a top coat to protect the polish you just so carefully applied. This will prevent the polish from chipping or wearing off. If you have the time and patience, apply top coat every night to keep your nails looking great.
Pedicure
1. Don't forget about the toes! It is just as important to have great looking toenails. First step is the same as when you are giving yourself a manicure: Get rid of the old nail polish. You can use the same acetone remover.
2. The next step is to get rid of the yellow stain that we commonly see on toenails. Try soaking your feet in warm water with a fizzy nail whitening soak.
3. The third step is smoothing out those calluses. Anyone who doesn't walk on fluffy clouds will get those rough splotches on the sides of the feet. It just comes from lots of walking and uncomfortable shoes. So, what do we do? Well, it's kind of like putting sandpaper to your feet. Purchase a foot file from a beauty store or drug store and smooth them out. You might have to be a little aggressive with your feet and it may tickle in some place, but beauty has its price.
4. Next, get a hold of some toenail clippers and trim each and every nail so that they are generally the same length.
5. Apply cuticle oil and use what is called a "Birchwood Stick" wrapped in some cotton to get the cuticles clean and even all the way around.
6. Like you did with your fingernails, use a buffer to exfoliate and give yourself smooth heels. Apply some lotion afterwards.
7. Once you've completed all of the smoothing and trimming, use the acetone to wipe off any extra oils and lotions.
8. Now it's time to get ready to paint. But first you need to separate the toes to make the application process easier. Buy some toe separators from any local beauty store or you can just twist up a line of toilet paper, coil it between the toes and separate.
9. Now it's actually time to paint, the exact same way as you did with the fingernails. Apply an even base coat followed by two coats of polish that match you fingernails and prom dress, then top it off with a top coat.
Ta-Da! Now you have beautiful fingernails with toenails to match. And now you will be able to give yourself an at-home manicure and pedicure any time you want!
1. Don't forget about the toes! It is just as important to have great looking toenails. First step is the same as when you are giving yourself a manicure: Get rid of the old nail polish. You can use the same acetone remover.
2. The next step is to get rid of the yellow stain that we commonly see on toenails. Try soaking your feet in warm water with a fizzy nail whitening soak.
3. The third step is smoothing out those calluses. Anyone who doesn't walk on fluffy clouds will get those rough splotches on the sides of the feet. It just comes from lots of walking and uncomfortable shoes. So, what do we do? Well, it's kind of like putting sandpaper to your feet. Purchase a foot file from a beauty store or drug store and smooth them out. You might have to be a little aggressive with your feet and it may tickle in some place, but beauty has its price.
4. Next, get a hold of some toenail clippers and trim each and every nail so that they are generally the same length.
5. Apply cuticle oil and use what is called a "Birchwood Stick" wrapped in some cotton to get the cuticles clean and even all the way around.
6. Like you did with your fingernails, use a buffer to exfoliate and give yourself smooth heels. Apply some lotion afterwards.
7. Once you've completed all of the smoothing and trimming, use the acetone to wipe off any extra oils and lotions.
8. Now it's time to get ready to paint. But first you need to separate the toes to make the application process easier. Buy some toe separators from any local beauty store or you can just twist up a line of toilet paper, coil it between the toes and separate.
9. Now it's actually time to paint, the exact same way as you did with the fingernails. Apply an even base coat followed by two coats of polish that match you fingernails and prom dress, then top it off with a top coat.
Ta-Da! Now you have beautiful fingernails with toenails to match. And now you will be able to give yourself an at-home manicure and pedicure any time you want!
If your a nail biter like me, acrylic nails are the best way to go. Just go to a cheap nail salon and you can get them done for $20. With a sexy french manicure, you can't go wrong.