At home manicure routine

Hi everyone,

As you know I love a pamper session. So when it comes to my nails, I love trying to keep them looking their best. I use to be a nail biter and still sometimes do. But I do find that if I keep my nails in the best shape possible, I bit them less. I am also what I would call a stress biter, I bit my nails when I am stressed or extremely nervous. So this doesn't help at all. This is the routine I follow when I give myself a little manicure.

Step 1: Remove polish

This step only applies if you already have polish on your nails. If you do, just take your nail polish remover and apply it to a cotton pad. Then wipe this over your nails. I personally use an acetone free nail polish remover as it is kinder on my nails.

Step 2: Scrub

I like to include a scrub in my manicure routine just to remove any dead skin from around my nails. As my hands are constantly in water I do find that they get very dry, so this does help. What I do is I just wet my hands slightly and then apply the scrub one hand at a time. I work this in circular motions and then rinse off.

Step 3: Push back and remove cuticles

This step I always find is the most important. As a previous nail biter my cuticles are always awful as they grow up to protect the nail. So normally this gives me a lot of work to do. Sometimes I will apply a cuticle removing cream before I push them back. Or I just go straight in and push them back. Once I have pushed my cuticles back I normally snip them off with my cuticle cutters.

 Step 4: File nails

This step is easy peasy, you just need to file your nails in to your desired shape. I think I use a file that is an 180 grit. Make sure you file in one direction so that you don't damage your nail.

 Step 5: Apply base coat

Whenever you apply a nail polish you should always apply a base coat. This will stop the coloured polish from staining your natural nail. Make sure you leave it to dry completely before applying your colour.

 Step 6: Apply colour

So now you need to decide which colour you are going to apply. I personally apply two-three coats of this polish. Just make sure that every coat is dry before you apply the next one.

 Step 7: Apply topcoat

This step just finishes the polish off nicely. Giving it that lovely shine we all love. Apply this polish very thin and wait for it to dry fully.

Step 8: Apply oil

You should next apply oil to the cuticle area to keep it feeling soft and conditioned. I love applying oil to my nails as I find it helps to keep them feeling strong. To do this, just apply a small amount to your cuticles and massage that into your cuticles and nails.

Step 9: Apply hand cream

Lastly because I normally do this routine in the evening I end by applying a hand cream. As this leaves my hands feeling incredibly soft and helps with any dry patches.

So that is an at home manicure routine that I follow. As I have said I absolutely love doing little pampering sessions. Having said this I also love nothing more than paying my lovely beauty therapist a visit and a getting a manicure done. I hope that you enjoyed this post and it inspires you to have a little pamper session. While your there why not check out my Pedicure routine and be pampered head to toe. 

Love

Zoe x