|
|
The first step is to wash your hands with soap to remove all hand creams and any accumulated dirt. You may want to use a soft nail brush to increase the flow of blood to the nails.
Once your hands are clean it is time to cut the nails to the length you want. Make sure you leave a little extra length to each nail so that you can still shape and file.
You should only file in one direction, it is best to start at the side of the nail and file towards the middle of the nail. Repeat on the other side to ensure the nail is even.
|
|
|
Once you have washed your hands prepare a large bowl with warm water and 2 drops of an essential oil (refer to the Oil Aromatherapy page for ideas). Soak the hands for 2 to 5 minutes.
|
|
|
Apply a good quality cuticle cream or oil to the base of each nail and massage gently but firmly into each of the cuticles. To get the full benefits you should aim to spend at least 30 seconds massaging each nail.
Once you have massaged the cuticles you can then gently push each cuticle back with a cuticle stick (also called an orange stick). For a more gentle treatment wrap the end of the cuticle stick in cotton wool.
Treating your cuticles is very important and will help healthy nail growth in the future.
|
|
Step 4
Moisturise & Massage
|
| |
Moisturiser is essential to keep nails strong and flexible to ensure that they do not become dry, flaky or break easily.
Apply a good quality hand moisturiser to both hands and massage all areas . You should aim to spend at least 3 minutes massaging all the areas on each hand.
Make sure you get in between each finger, massage the muscle at the base of the thumb and the base of each palm (just above the wrist).
The hands can become very tense if you spend a lot of time at a keyboard typing or writing and the massage can relax tense and tired hands.
Overnight tip: If your hands are particularly dry you can apply a night moisturiser before bed and put on cotton gloves and leave them on overnight. When you wake up your hands will feel great.
|
|
|
Now that your hands and nails are treated it is time to buff the nails so that they are smooth. Use your buffer to each nail and buff the whole of the nail making sure you don't miss the edges.
Important tip: If you skip this step you may not get a smooth finish to your manicure.
Now you need to apply a good quality base coat to each nail. You should allow the base coat to dry completely before you go onto the next step.
|
|
|
Your nails are now ready to apply the coloured polish. There are many options available such as french manicure, marble effect and even stick on pictures.
Most nail polishes need at least two coats and you should allow each coat to dry properly before adding the next coat. If you start to polish again before the first coat is dry and the colour becomes uneven you should remove the polish and go back to Step 5 and re-buff each nail and then re-apply your base coat.
|
|
French Manicure |
You can buy french manicure packs that come with both colours of polish required and stickers that give you a smooth finish.
If you do not want to use one of these packs you can follow these guidelines to give a good french manicure look:
* first follow steps 1 to 5 above
* second apply a neutral polish (soft pink or soft peach)
* thirdly paint a white stripe across the top of the nail from left to right. It is recommended to apply the white from the top of the nail to the point where the skin is visible under the nail. |
|
Marble Effect |
Before attempting this effect make sure you protect the skin around the nail and under the nail by rubbing on a protective gel.
Fill a cup with water at room temperature (too hot colours will dry and too cold colours wont develop to full potential). A shot glass is a good size for this effect.
Shake your nail polish well and place a few drops of the 1st colour in the middle of the water and the colour should spread out (if it doesn't you need to add marbling thinner to the colour bottle). Repeat the same process with your 2nd and 3rd colours.
Once you have added all colours you have 20 to 60 seconds to make your design before the colours start to dry. Using a pin swirl the colours in any pattern you desire.
Next slowly dip each finger into the design so that it transfers onto your fingernail. When your fingernail is fully covered remove your finger slowly so that the pattern transfers cleanly onto your nail.
Using a cottonbud remove any excess nail polish still in the water before tipping the water out.
When the nail has fully dried wipe off any excess colour on the finger and under the nail and then apply your marbling top coat.
|
Nail Stickers
& Transfers |
There are numerous nail stickers and nail transfers designs available today. You can have a lot of fun with the designs but in order to get the professional finish you should follow the following steps:
After you have followed steps 1 to 6 above you can apply the designs to your nails.
Using tweezers lift the transfer or sticker from the backing paper and immediately place the transfer onto your nail and smooth it out using the tweezers or the cuticle stick. Ensure that the sticker/transfer is flat and dry and then add your top coat.
|
|
|
This is the last step to great nails. You have spent all of the effort to get great nails so protecting them to ensure the polish lasts all week by applying a top coat will be worth your while.
With everything we put our hands through each week a protective top coat is extremely important so make sure you get a good quality top coat to get the most out of your treatment.
|
|
|
If you want to apply false nails you should still follow Steps 1 to 4 above and then do the following:
Using a nail file or emery board roughen the top of your nail. Remember to be gentle as you do not want to damage the nail just make the surface a little rough to help the nails stick better.
Stick the adhesive tape or glue provided with your false nail kit onto your nails and then press the false nail onto your finger. You should hold the false nail firmly on for 30 to 60 seconds or until the nail doesn't slide around on the finger.
When all of the nails have been fitted and are dried then you can complete Steps 6 and 7 above.
Remember false nails will deteriorate the quality of your own nails. So if you have damaged nails these are not a good idea. Instead you should plan ahead and treat your existing nails (using all steps above except for Step 6) for a few months before any special occasion when you want fantastic nails.
Also available to assist with damaged nails are nail strengtheners and these should be applied before you apply a base coat.
|
