How to Do Manicures and Pedicures at Home? (Step-by-Step)

The secret is out! Those who always wondered whether it is possible to do a manicure and a pedicure at home, know now that it definitely is! Attainment of salon-like mani and pedi has become easy to do by yourself.

A unique guide coming from professionals simplified and detailed on how to properly use the tools for manicures and pedicures, which tools and products you need, and a step-by-step explanation to achieve the best nail care technique.

This time we bring you all the information, tips, and tricks on how to do your manicure and pedicure for you or your loved ones. The guide includes elaborated ways for a full Spa Russian manicure and pedicure, and skin care of hands and feet.

Manicure

What manicure is the best to do at home?

Ladies love to treat themselves daily with small things that rise their dopamine levels. Such a thing is doing your manicure at home. If you are interested in reaching the best nail and skin care at home, we recommend doing simple Russian treatments that will take no time to learn. Gel manicures are not recommended to do by yourself, but there is so much that you rather can do at home. Instead of gel products for nails, you can use a regular nail polish that does not require a UV/LED lamp to get dried.

What do I need for a manicure at home?

Here is a list of all things you need to get for the full spa manicure treatment:

SPA SET:

Medium-sized glass basin
Hot water
Sea salt
Spa soap
Towels
Body scrub
Massage oil

MANI SET:

Cuticle pusher
Cuticle remover
File
Buffer file
Nail polish remover
Nail polish color and top coat
Cotton pads

How to do SPA MANICURE treatment?

Step one

Set a table for the treatment – Spread one big towel on the table and put the glass basin on the towel.

Step two

Add hot water to the glass basin. Add the spa soap and sea salt to the hot water. Let the products melt in water, in the meantime the water will cool down just enough to be ready for use.

Step three

Place an armchair next to the table where the basin for the spa mani is set. Make yourself comfortable in the armchair, and soak your hands in the spa basin for ten minutes at least. In case you have strong and thick nails, you can soak your hands for longer than ten minutes. This will ensure that the nails are softened and thus made easier to shape and file.

Step four

After the soak, use a body scrub to treat the dead cells of the skin. Gently scrub and massage your hands for about two minutes. The scrub will hydrate your skin additionally, and remove the excess skin. Afterward, wash out your hands in the spa water, and use a hot towel to dry your hands.

Step five

Use a cuticle pusher and carefully push the cuticles of the nails toward the root of the nail. Be very cautious, the root of the nail is sensitive and hurt easily. Start with small, light pushes and move forward to stronger pushes before the point of any pain. Then, use the cuticle remover to treat the rest of the cuticles by cutting them off. Make sure you do not cut deep because you do not want any blood to come out and ruin a perfect manicure.

Step six

Shorten and shape your nails with a nail file. Nail files are better and safer to use to shorten and shape nails than nail cutters. With a nail file, you have more detailed access to all the sides of the nails and you can reach all the angles you need. Next, use the buffer file to polish the nail plate. Buffering the nail plate will leave it smooth and remove the bumps of the nail that ruin the final look after applying the nail polish.

Step seven

Apply the nail polish. You can apply the color right away, or you can use the base nail polish first, let it dry, and then apply the color. Ensure you apply the polish evenly and follow the shape of the nail. Do not reach the edges of the skin. Apply two thin layers, and let the first layer dry out completely before applying the second layer. In the end, apply a thin layer of a top coat nail polish for the finishing glance and additional shine.

Step eight

After the nail polish and the top coat are dried out, take a couple of drops of massage oil and rub it on your hands and cuticles. This is the last step of a SPA manicure treatment at home.

Pedicure

Pedicures are almost as easy as manicures. If you did your manicure properly, you will have no problems also doing a pedicure. Pedicure is important for a couple of reasons. It is the best treatment for the skin of feet and toenails. If not treated properly and regularly, the skin will get thick and hard to remove, and nails will become deformed. In the worst case, the skin will crack or corn eyes will form. To avoid any inconveniences, treat yourself with a spa pedicure every four to five weeks, following this guide that we provide you with.

What do I need for a pedicure at home?

All that you need for a pedicure at home is the same as for a manicure, adding a thing or two:

SPA SET

Bathtub for a pedicure ( or any large-sized plastic/ceramic basin )
Liquid spa soap
Sea salt
Body scrub
Body lotion or oil
Hot towels
Foot file

NAIL SET

Cuticle pusher
Nail cutter
Nail file
Buffer file
Toenail separator
Nail polish and a top coat

How to do a pedicure treatment?

Step one

Place the setting for a pedicure in a comfortable place, in front of the sofa or an armchair. Spread a big towel and place the bathtub or basin on the towel. Fill with hot water, add soap and sea salt, and let it dissolve.

Step two

While the hot water is getting cooler and the soap and sea salt is dissolving, dip your feet into the water and place them on the towel next to the bathtub. Take a couple of grams of body scrub, and treat your feet’ skin from the toes to above the ankles. When the water reaches a pleasing temperature, soak your feet for about fifteen minutes or longer.

Step three

Dry your feet with the towel. Make sure you reach all of the skin between the toes. Next, use the foot file to remove excess skin. Dead and excess skin will show white to pale in relation to healthy skin, this way you will know which parts to remove. Start with a rough side of the file, and end with a smooth side to accomplish sleek feet.

Step four

Apply the body oil or body lotion to your feet. Gently massage it for a couple of minutes to ensure that the product has penetrated deeply into the pores of the skin. After this, wait for ten minutes before starting to treat the toenails, for additional soaking of the oil/lotion.

Step five

When the toenails are dried after applying the oil/lotion, you can now start treating them. Put the toenail separator on your feet. Use a cuticle pusher, clean the nail plates, and use a cuticle remover if needed. Cuticles of toenails are not as demanding as the cuticles of hand nails. It varies from one to another, and you can estimate by yourself whether you need the cuticle cutter or not. Next, use the nail file to shape the nails, and nail cutter to shorten the nails. Toenails are almost always a lot thicker than nails on hands, so you will need the cutter.

Step six

The final step is polishing the nails. You can start with a thin layer of base coat. Let it dry, and ad two thin layers of nail polish. Again, make sure the layers are dried. In the end, add a nail polish top coat for the final touch of shine.

Conclusion

Manicures and pedicures have reached all corners of the world, and so many ladies do it regularly. The dream of doing these treatments at home has become a reality. Give your skin and nails the look and care they deserve!

Nails and skin are in need to be taken care of regularly, and for the best results, do your manicures and pedicures on time. With a little effort, some patience, and much love, you will easily attain the perfect nail care routine.

Let laziness not be an obstacle on your way to well-groomed skin and nails. The first time it may seem demanding, but we assure you that you will quickly get used to it, learn the technique, and love the moment when it’s time for your favorite spa treatment at home.