How to Do A Manicure

The first thing you'll want to do, is gather together all the tools you need. It's not complicated, nor is it expensive unless you get into some of the name brand polishes and finishes for painting your nails afterwards. Basically, you'll need a nail polish remover, nail clippers, a fine emory board, dish of warm water, cuticule oil, nail scissors, and cotton pads or balls, although those can leave lint if you aren't careful.

First, you are going to trim your nails. But how? Fingers differ just like faces. One person has short, broad fingers, while another's are long and tapered. Choose the shape you want before you start, keeping in mind that you're going to have to work with those hands, either on daily living things, or at the office. Most professional manicurist only leave the nail long enough to extend just past the fingertip.

If you need to clip them, do so, but be careful not to take so much you're left without anything to shape. Nails are made of compact fibers that run lengthwise to the shape of the nail. If you file back and forth, you split the fibers and weaken the nail. Take the emory board, and starting at the corner of a finger, stroke towards the center of the nail, moving with the shape, or to create the shape. Do one side of the nail, then the other, and wipe off any dust.

Now you get to soak your fingertips in a dish of warm water. For moisturizing your fingers, you can add a drop or two of scented oil. Take your hands out when the skin begins to pucker, and dry them off. Push the cuticles back gently with a blunted soft wood stick, usually called orangewood sticks. If your cuticles are tough, try softening them first with a drop or two of cuticle oil, massaged in. The nail scissors are for cutting off bits of dead skin, or hangnails. Never use them to cut down into the cuticle, but only as far as necessary to remove the dried bit. Cuticles are nature's way of sealing the nail root from outside contaminants and bacteria.

Dry your hands and moisturize. If you intend to put polish on, be sure they are dry before applying, and wipe the nails off with remover to eliminate any cuticle oil or creams.