Be the envy of your friends with your 'do it yourself' masterpiece.
If you're over Saturday salon gossip, tired of running late for your appointments or just plain strapped for cash, let Saturday Life extend your nail know-how so you can clean, care and polish your nails in the privacy of your own home.
Clean Up
The first step in your fresh 'do it yourself' manicure is to get rid of your old one. Wipe away your nail polish with a piece of cotton wool soaked in nail polish remover, making sure to remove all traces of polish from the cuticle. A wooden manicure stick wrapped with a thin piece of soaked wool works best.
Shape up
Using a fine-grade emery board, gently work from both edges of the nail to the centre. Move the board slowly as heat dries out the nail which can cause splitting.
Trendy tip:
Try shaping the nails into squares with rounded edges — a hit among Hollywood's 'A'-list.
Contour your cuticle
The safest way to manage your cuticle chaos in between manicure appointments is to push back your cuticle with a manicure stick wrapped in cotton instead of cutting it away. Applying cuticle remover will help soften the cuticle making this process much easier.
Rinse and repeat
Wash away all dead skin with soap and warm water and pat dry nails to ensure the polish process is efficient.
Base basics
Whether you're looking to strengthen, harden and/or protect your nails, always apply a base coat to the entire nail. A base coat will also extend the life of your manicure and prevent it from becoming discoloured.
Paint on Pigment
With just a few simple tools, you can get your nails perfectly prepped and polished for your next big event!
Apply a single, thin stroke of nail polish down the centre of the nail then spread on the left and right sides. Allow this coat to dry and then reapply.
Top it off
A clear top coat will add extra gloss and shine to your now well-done nails. Applying a coat every other day will prevent chipping and maintain lustre.
TREND ALERT
As spring time comes to a close and summer time approaches, gear up to see blinding brights like neon greens, sunshine yellows and penetrating pinks.