Please share your at-home manicure/pedicure tips

After yet another mediocre mani/pedi, I think I'm going to start doing them at home most of the time. I'm a pretty good painter, but I'm not the best at filing, and I'm just awful at cuticles. Please share all tips!!

Please share your at-home manicure/pedicure tips

I'm not great at this but my tips:

When filing, I lay my finger on a flat surface and look straight at it while filing as opposed to curling my fingers towards me. I get a much straighter, even edge.

Make sure to wash/dry nails thoroughly prior to application

Use a good base coat to adhese the color better & prevent nail yellowing

Always apply thin coats and allow to dry between coats

My new trick, use a light color then after it's dry, wrap a rubber band around my nail to make a thin french manicure line. Super quick and looks great!

I don't know if these technically even qualify as "tips" but it's all I got! :)

Re: Please share your at-home manicure/pedicure tips

I have to start using base/top coat. I'm so 8th grade when it comes to my nails.

Re: Please share your at-home manicure/pedicure tips

I only do at home manis.

Use whatever file you are comfortable with. Some people love glass, I hate those. Ulta has a great selection, so does Sally Beauty. File ONLY in one direction to avoid weakening your nails. The PP had a good suggestion, putting your nails on a flat surface and looking down really helps till you get the hang of it.

I have terrible cuticles so every few days I use this:

Cuticle remover

I put it on, push my cuticles back with an orange stick, and wash.

Before applying base coat I use nail polish remover to clean my nails, removing the oils on your nails helps your mani last longer.

I have very weak nails so I use Nailtiques as a base coat but for pedis I use this:

Formula X base coat

Works very well.

Try not to use thick coats when polishing. It's better to use 3 thin coats than 2 thick coats of color. And don't freak if a color is streaky. 9/10 colors will even out after 2 or 3 coats.

Always use a top coat. Always! Makes them dry faster and last longer. My go-to is Butter London P.D. Quick Topcoat but it's expensive. Seche Vite is amazing because it dries so fast, but it also "shrinks" and moves the polish underneath, showing cuticles and tips faster.

Re: Please share your at-home manicure/pedicure tips

Thanks! I'm definitely going to pick up the cuticle remover and check out the other things you mentioned.

Please share your at-home manicure/pedicure tips

Wait about 15 minutes AFTER you wash your hands.
Before you put on any polish, swipe vinegar on your nails. It does work.
Cap the nail. Make sure you apply polish to the outer tip.
Don't worry about getting polish on your skin. Use a qtip to get it off.

Please share your at-home manicure/pedicure tips

Use a blow dryer on cold to dry your nails. Works super fast.

Please share your at-home manicure/pedicure tips

essie quick dry has been my new go-to. My nails dry in about 5 mins!

Re: Please share your at-home manicure/pedicure tips

I use jamberry nails lately. So easy and get up and go right after!

Jamberry

Please share your at-home manicure/pedicure tips

Don't buff a lot and if you do, just enough to take the shine off the nail.
Dry out the nail with acetone before putting on basecoat.
Rubberized Basecoat from Orly or Sticky basecoat from CND.
Cap the free edge of the nail with basecoat color coat and top coat.
Thin coats, you should be able to do one coat finish it up and go right on to the next without any worry of pulling.