Everything You Need for the Perfect At-Home Manicure

One thing I’m really, really missing right now is a manicure. I’ve always been good about maintaining my nails at home, but since the quarantine started, I’ve perfected it so much that I may never need to go to a salon again. I mean… I would never not go to a salon again, but it’s nice to know I got the skills. So, I wanted to share my tips to get a salon quality manicure at home.

Sharp Cuticle Trimmers

Cuticle trimmers are essential. My favorite part of a manicure has always been getting my cuticles cut. There’s nothing worse than hard, painful cuticles. Cuticle trimmers are oftentimes dull and not sharp enough to really get the good stuff. Let me introduce you to the Opove Cuticle Trimmers ($17). They’re incredible. And I don’t use that word lightly. Word of warning: These are no joke. I cut myself the first few times I used them because I was used to my old dull pair. So be careful and use these with caution. Once you get the hang of them though, you’ll never look back.

Buffing Block

No salon grade manicure is complete without a buffing block. Truth be told, a buffing block was something I didn’t keep at home before quarantine. I thought it was an unnecessary step, but I’ve since learned the error of my ways. Now I can’t imagine doing my nails without one. Not only does it buff away any leftover debris, but my polish sits smoother and more evenly on my nails. I even notice my nail polish chips less now. I’d look for ones like these ($5) or these ($5) from Walmart that are abrasive enough to slough away what you need gone, but not too abrasive that it cuts (yes that happens) or irritates your nail beds. They’re also super cheap!

Reusable Cotton Rounds

I love the shift towards sustainability in the beauty industry, and I was excited to see these new reusable nail polish remover pads from The Sign Tribe ($16). These are different than the classic reusable cotton rounds because they’re made to remove nail polish (aka your nail polish won’t stain them). Use them like any classic cotton round and use soap and water to clean them. With each pad, you’re set for 25 polish removal sessions up to 16 months.

Glass Nail File

I know glass nail files are an acquired taste. You either love them or you hate them. Personally, I love them. They’re more durable and gentle than your typical nail file and give a smoother file with less jagged edges.  With less jagged edges, my nails look cleaner and more “professionally done.” I’ve been a fan of these for years. I keep one of these bad boys everywhere – my night stand, my work bag, my car, you name it. This one from Walmart ($3) comes with a case for easy storage and set of three from Amazon ($10) comes with three different file sizes, so you can fit one in whatever bag or drawer you want.

Cuticle Oil

Cuticle oil is the unsung hero of a good manicure. If you suffer from painful cuticles and don’t use cuticle oil, this is my PSA for you. You need cuticle oil. It’s moisturizing, soothing, protecting, and, honestly, just makes your nails look nice. Similar to hand cream, you can (and should) use cuticle oil often like after washing your hands, before painting your nails, or just whenever you feel like it. 

The Nail & Cuticle Oil from French Girl ($22) is packed with argan, pomegranate, rose geranium, and tamanu oil so it’s hydrating, healing, and anti-inflammatory. It also helps stimulate nail growth. For a more affordable option, the Solar Oil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner from CND ($13) uses almond, jojoba, and rice bran oil with vitamin C to strengthen, condition, and soften the cuticles.

Nail Polish

I mean, duh. Summer is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rock the summer shades for a little bit longer. The 7-Free Nail Polish from Olive & June ($8) are long-lasting and streak free. There are a ton of colors to choose from, but Nabela Noor’s summer collection includes Grateful & Kind, and Wild & Free which are so much fun and perfect for adding a pop of color. I also love the Orly Breathable nail polish ($10). They’re breathable, long-lasting, and infused with ingredients like vitamin B5 and vitamin C. My go-to shades right now are Almond Milk and Peaches and Dreams.

What are your at-home manicure tips? Let me know in the comments! 

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Cover Image: Olive & June