Manicure lessons for beginners: free videos for self-study. Home manicure for beginners: creating fashionable designs easily Step-by-step manicure lessons at home

Modern manicure has long gone beyond painting with varnish and polishing. Extensions, strengthening with keratin and gel coating, inlay and craquelure, design using a printer - every year new trends appear in the culture of hand care. Nail art masters are a kind of artists and stylists with good aesthetic taste, who know a lot about combining colors and selecting shapes.

How to become a manicurist. Where to begin

You should start your career as a manicurist by investing in tools and special products. The video contains information about manicure accessories, cuticle removers and antiseptics, equipment for sterilizing instruments and ultraviolet lamps for drying. A practicing master shows different types of scissors, nippers, files and talks about the nuances when choosing. “Pushers”, “cut removers”, “buffs” and other terms after watching the video will become understandable words for beginners, allowing you to speak the same language as professionals.

Manicure lessons for beginners

A short video with basic rules for beginners. How to properly use a file and remove cuticles without harming your nails? What simple steps can you take to extend the life of a varnish coating? What products should I use for a quality manicure? In what order should I paint my nails and create an even finish? The secrets of specialists will allow you to perform professional manicures for yourself and your clients.

How to apply gel polish. Step by step instructions

Women all over the world have appreciated the invention of gel polish: the problem of chips and cracks has been solved, the coating lasts 3-4 times longer, there is more shine and gloss, and the nails under the varnish are strengthened. Therefore, applying gel polish is the most popular service today. There is a significant difference between painting your nails with regular polish and gel. To apply the gel you will need up to a dozen tubes with products: grease-free, primer and base, the actual color coating, top and cuticle oil, liquid for removing the sticky layer. For a deep and durable coating, it is important to carefully repeat all the steps shown in the video lesson: working with the cuticle, grinding and removing micro dust from the nail, alternately applying layers and drying, moisturizing.

Gel nail extensions. Details for beginners

Long nails visually “slim” the fingers and give grace to the hands and gestures. Beautiful, healthy and strong, regularly shaped nails can be a gift from nature or the work of a nail artist. Extensions are one of the most complex and therefore expensive types of manicure. The result depends on the quality of the materials and the skill of the specialist. Watch the lesson, repeat after the master, practice your skills - and soon you will be able to confidently perform a complex procedure.

4 ways to remove gel polish yourself easily and efficiently

A useful video lesson for manicurists and anyone who needs to remove gel polish without going to the salon. Instead of special clothespins and fingertips, you can use regular foil at home. The speed and efficiency of the procedure will remain the same. Craftsmen are encouraged to use specialized accessories to create a professional image. The video shows all the methods, including state-of-the-art hardware.

How to evenly and accurately paint nails with varnish on both hands

Accurate application of varnish is a basic skill of a nail designer. There are several methods to create an even coating without getting the varnish on the skin. A video lesson from a professional demonstrates in detail the classic “three-stroke” method, which all nail service gurus strive for, as well as options that are more suitable for beginners. For beginners, this is a way to fix spilled varnish until it's perfect. During the practical lesson, it is recommended to try different application methods and choose the most convenient one.

The perfect Frenchie. All the secrets

One of the most popular types of nail design is French manicure. With the advent of newfangled designs with gradients, combigel, foil and glitter, the French jacket continues to be popular due to its versatility and compliance with strict dress codes. An online lesson on French manicure with biogel demonstrates the method for high-level specialists. But the author comments in great detail on all stages for beginners.

Trimmed classic manicure

Trimmed manicure is a classic of the manicure genre. Advanced masters have long considered the method hopelessly outdated and preferred the hardware method. But for home use and general development, trimmed manicure is still relevant. The lesson shows an option to work on yourself - the optimal way to practice the skill for both hands. The main thing is caution, because tweezers and scissors are dangerous.

Hardware manicure

Hardware manicure is noticeably superior to edged manicure. For the client it is safe and therefore more pleasant, for the master it is convenient, fast and allows for deeper processing. The only negative is that the method is difficult for beginners. The work is performed using different types of cutters, depending on the condition of the nails, cuticles and nail folds. A detailed lesson will tell you about the technique of working with each cutter: where to press or push, where to point the tool.

Learning to draw thin lines on nails

The skill of drawing fine lines allows you to create realistic art on your nails with landscapes, lace, feathers and petals. The video will help you choose a brush for each design: short or long bristled, voluminous or thin. Options for painting with different materials are also shown: gel polish, gel paint, acrylic or art paste. Correctly putting the material on the brush is half the success, says the author and pays special attention to this in the video. The lesson is reminiscent of a calligraphy lesson, where skills are honed by drawing grids and lines on paper with varying degrees of pressure on the brush.

Wet gel polish design for beginners

Having mastered the basic manicure craft, it’s time to start the creative part. Creating designs on nails requires perseverance, patience and precision. It is recommended to start with simple patterns of dots and lines. Thanks to painting on wet polish, you can achieve artistic effects and make each nail a mini-work of art. The lesson shows three options for painting with gel polish. By being creative, you can create an infinite number of drawings based on the techniques shown by the author.

People are greeted by their clothes - this rule also applies to hands, especially women’s hands. A manicure creates a pleasant impression on the interlocutor or, on the contrary, spoils it.

For this reason, the nail technician will always be at work. The advantages of the profession are the ability to work from home and travel to any city or even anywhere in the world, and you can study and work at any age.

Not to ignore the basics of any good manicure, we decided to show you how easy it is to do a manicure at home, step by step.

Have you already splurged on beauty treatments at a high-end salon? Give yourself a beautiful manicure. Knowing how to take care of your nails yourself can not only save you from spending money, but also make you a beauty expert. Doing your own manicure is easy and doesn’t take much time, you just need to learn how. You can do your manicure at home every week. Our beginner's tutorial will show you all the procedures in detail step by step. You can also watch a video at the end, which will be even more informative. If you want, you can watch it and find out all the information directly from there.

No matter how expensive the nail polish you buy, unless and until you take care of your nails, they will not be luxurious and attractive.

Follow these steps to learn how to do a beautiful manicure at home.

Step 1: Tools

To do your own manicure at home, make sure you have all the necessary tools. You may have to do some shopping to complete the entire set. Once you have a complete set of tools, you won't have to worry about this in the future the next time you do your nails at home.

Here's what you'll need:

Nail polish buff
Nail trimmer
Cuticle trimmer
Cotton pads
Nail polish remover
Nail clippers
Nail file
Nail polish
Hand cream
Primer
Upper layer

Step 2: Preparation

You need to choose a place. Both nail polish remover and nail polish itself can damage fabric, wood trim or carpet. You may also accidentally stain your clothes, so wear an old T-shirt and remove your rings. Lay down paper or an old cloth to protect the table surface.

Before you start doing your manicure, make sure you have everything ready.

Step 3: Cleaning your nails

Remove old nail polish. Soak a cotton pad and gently apply it to your nails. Sometimes nail polish becomes too hard to remove quickly. In this case, place a cotton pad on your nails for a while to easily remove the old polish completely.

Do not use acetone to remove old polish as it damages your nails.

Step 4: Sharpening your nails

After removing the old nail polish, it's time to treat your nails. Use nail clippers to trim your nails. Don't file your nails too short. Shape your nails into the desired shape, rectangular or tapered, as per your choice. For a better understanding, we have added a video tutorial so you can see how a specialist treats his nails. Try to create smooth lines without corners, otherwise you will end up with uneven nail growth.

The nail shapes for the manicure will be determined at this stage. But this is not enough to know what a manicure is and the different types of manicure, you also need to know how to properly adjust your nails.

Step 5: Polish your nails

Now use a nail buffer. Polish the surface gently until it is smooth. However, do not polish too much as this will weaken your nails.

Polishing your nails is an important step in a manicure, so make sure you invest in a good nail buffer.

Step 6: Soaking Nails

Take a bowl, fill it with warm water with a few drops of soap and soak your hands in it for a few minutes. The soap solution helps remove dead skin cells and dirt from the surface of the nail while softening the cuticle.

Keep in mind that if your nails are fragile, instead of soaking them, simply rinse them.

Step 7: Forming the Cuticle

First, apply the cream or oil to the cuticles. Then carefully move it away using a special spatula or an orange stick. Never cut your cuticles and always be careful when preparing them for a manicure. Due to the removal of cuticles, the skin around the nails can become easily vulnerable.

Step 8: Applying Cream

Now use body lotion and massage on both hands. If your hand skin is dry, use a moisturizer. Avoid contact with water or detergent for at least half an hour to allow your nails to absorb the lotion well.

Moisturizing your nails guarantees you healthy nails and a beautiful manicure.

After going through all these manicure steps, watch this video for a better understanding of the entire manicure process!

Manicure at home - video tutorial

We hope you found this article on how to do a manicure at home useful. You will no longer spend money on salons, as you can get a beautiful manicure without leaving your home.

Manicure is the calling card of a modern fashionable woman. To make their hands look well-groomed, representatives of the fair sex spend hours in beauty salons and leave considerable sums there. But if you master the technique of doing manicure at home, you can significantly save time and money.

Basics and techniques for performing a simple manicure at home

In the understanding of many women, a manicure at home is the coating of nails with varnish, but the design of the nail plate is only the final stage of the entire procedure. The term “manicure” translated from Latin means hand care, and, indeed, first of all, it means neat, even nails, and nail art is only the finishing touch.

Basic techniques for performing manicure at home, depending on the method of cuticle removal:

Classic edged manicure. It involves cutting the cuticle with scissors after steaming your hands in warm water.
European manicure. It differs from the classic one in the absence of cutting tools. The cuticle is removed using a special product - a remover. Under the influence of fruit acids contained in the remover, the cuticle softens and is easily removed with a wooden stick with a beveled end.

It is also worth mentioning hardware manicure, which is performed using special equipment consisting of an induction machine and various cutters that process the cuticle, remove the stratum corneum of the skin, clean the folds at the side ridges, and adjust the length and shape of the nail plate.

Hardware manicure is increasingly used by masters, since this method tidies up problem nails and significantly reduces work time, but at home its use is possible only after training.

In the salon version, manicure can be performed in a combined way: a device is used to clean the side ridges, correct the length and shape of the nail, and the cuticle is removed in the classic way or using a remover.

Materials and tools

To perform a hygienic manicure at home you will need:

A miniature manicure set in your purse will always come to the rescue with a broken nail

To apply nail polish you will need the following materials:

degreaser for the nail plate (can be replaced with formic alcohol from the pharmacy);
a base coat for simple varnish, leveling the nail plate and protecting it from the harmful effects of materials;
varnishes of various shades;
varnish fixer that prolongs the durability of the coating.

To perform decorative design you may need the following materials and tools:

dots for drawing;
brush with fine bristles;
a flat brush with beveled synthetic bristles (for removing varnish that has flowed under the side rollers);
tweezers with fine tips;
needle or toothpick;
acrylic paints;
stencils for design;
manicure tape;
Such adhesive tapes can serve not only as a stencil, but also as an independent decoration for a manicure.
materials for stamping: stamp, stamping plate, rich color varnish;
The stamping technique is easy to master even for beginners
sponge or sponge to create an ombre effect;
Defender is a professional product for protecting the skin around the nail from varnish.

How to do a manicure at home - step by step instructions

Before starting a manicure, you should carry out preparatory work: remove the old coating, wash and dry your hands, place all the necessary tools and materials in close proximity. A common mistake newbies make is applying hand cream immediately after using nail polish remover. The cream really eliminates dryness, but in combination with acetone-containing liquids it can harm the skin and cause irritation; moreover, when it gets on the nail, it creates a greasy film that prevents the coating from properly adhering to the surface of the nail plate. Therefore, it is better to carry out this pleasant procedure as the final stage of a manicure.

After preparing your hands for the procedure, we proceed directly to the manicure, in our case, to the classic one:

Filed nails. We process dry nails with a file to give them the desired shape. If your nails are different lengths, you can trim them with nail scissors or clippers to save time. To prevent the nails from peeling, we use a file with a high abrasiveness of 180 or 240 grit, we shape the nail plate with gentle movements in the direction from the edge to the center, but in no case from side to side. We choose the shape of the regrown edge according to our taste, focusing on the length and width of the nails.
Bath. The cuticle is pushed back with an orange stick and the fingertips are dipped in warm water for several minutes with the addition of a drop of liquid soap to further degrease the nail plate.
Cuticle trimming. Wipe wet hands with a napkin and trim the steamed cuticle from right to left. To avoid leaving burrs, the movement must be continuous.
Removal of pterygium. Near the cuticle and at the lateral ridges, the nail plate is covered with dead skin cells (pterygium). To clean nails, use a pusher or an orange stick. The tools are used gently, without pressure, cleaning the nail from the center of the cuticle to the side ridges.
Degreasing. The last preparatory step before applying the decorative coating is degreasing the nail plate. In specialized stores you can find a professional product - nail prep - or use formic alcohol, which not only removes residual sebum, but also slightly dries wet nails. You should not touch the prepared nails with your fingers, try not to interrupt the further design process, and do not be distracted by everyday trifles.
Base coat. Before using colored varnish, you should apply a base - a leveling, strengthening base for manicure. Apply the base product in a thin layer, then air dry for 3-5 minutes. This stage of manicure is not mandatory, but it will significantly increase the durability of the future coating.
Application of decorative colored varnish. When coating your nails with varnish, you should follow some rules and their sequence:
Design or second coat of varnish.
Top coating. After the color coating or design has dried, you should apply a fixative, the so-called topcoat for decorative varnishes, which will give the manicure a finished look and extend the life of your nail art.
Moisturizing the cuticle. To do this, you can use special cuticle products enriched with oils and vitamins, or use peach oil.

Video: secrets of a neat manicure

Simple ideas and design techniques 2016–2017

It is unlikely that anyone can be surprised by a single-color coating or a classic jacket, because asymmetrical designs have come into fashion, which involve combinations of several techniques, materials and shades. Artistic painting with acrylic paints and paste sculpting, which were so popular a couple of years ago, are a thing of the past, and beginners in the field of nail art can use completely simple design options. And those who don’t want to spend a lot of time on a fashionable manicure are incredibly lucky, because the trend is only for the nail of the ring finger, which greatly simplifies and speeds up the process.

Dots drawings

The simplest and most uncomplicated way to add individuality to your manicure and at the same time be on trend is drawings from dots of various diameters and colors. This technique is performed using dots with balls of various diameters. At home, they can be replaced with improvised means, for example, a hairpin, a cotton swab, or a bobby pin.

Dots are a special device that will help you achieve the perfect pattern

The technique of applying a pattern is extremely simple: a pre-thought-out ornament made up of dots is applied to the main color coating - it can be abstraction, lace, or even an oriental mandala. The tool should be lowered strictly perpendicular to the nail plate so that the points are smooth and neat. Once you get used to the dots, you can improve your technique and draw monograms with the same tool, the thickness of which also depends on the diameter of the tip.

Photo gallery: fashionable designs made by dots

The main secret of design is the selection of contrasting but compatible shades of varnish
It is better to carry out complex dots ornaments with preliminary markings, for example, using a thin needle to mark the main center lines and only then proceed with the design. To complete the design, you should start from the central point, and then place the rest sequentially, changing their color and diameter. Plastic tips to help beginners, You can practice on them and learn all the subtleties of nail art. When making a design, put dots first of one color and then of another. Manicure creates a festive mood and is associated with confetti. Dots can be used to draw not only ornaments, but also funny pictures.
Thanks to the general color scheme and theme, the manicure looks harmonious and stylish.

Slider design

Sliders are thin stickers on a cardboard backing. When interacting with warm water, they slide off perfectly and are transferred to the nail. A manicure done at home using sliders is not inferior to the salon version. Depending on the chosen ornament and the method of applying the sticker (on the entire nail or in fragments), you can create your own unique design.

Slider application technique:

We cover the nails with colored varnish. If the slider is applied to the entire nail, choose a white varnish base.
Remove the top layer of film, if any, and cut out the sticker to the shape of the nail.
Lifting the cardboard with the sticker with tweezers, lower it into warm water for a few seconds or place it on a damp cotton pad.
Carefully transfer the design to the dry nail and smooth it with a dry soft brush, expelling air bubbles.
Let the remaining droplets of moisture dry and seal with a top coat.

Photo gallery: manicure options with sliders

When choosing an ornament, it is important to take into account the color scheme of the main coating and its compatibility with the sticker The design of each nail is unique, but the entire manicure is designed in the same style and a certain color scheme Stickers will appeal to any fashionista The combination of stickers and hand-painted in its primitive design makes the design cute and original With the help of such stickers, you can add texture to your design. Contrasting design in dark and light colors attracts attention and emphasizes the ideal shape of the nails. Stickers fit organically into the manicure and look like an exquisite painting.

Stamping

Another novelty in nail art is stamping. This alternative to hand painting greatly simplifies the work of the master and makes life easier for beginners. The most important thing is to choose the right materials, because the final result depends on their quality. The stamping kit consists of 4 components:

The plate on which the print is engraved.
Paint or varnish.
Scraper.
Rubber stamp for transferring the design to the nail.

Thanks to special stamping tools you can create the perfect nail design

Technology for using stamping in design:

We coat the nails with varnish and air dry.
Apply paint to the selected design, covering only 1/3 of the print.
Using a plastic scraper, distribute the paint throughout the print.
We interrupt the design with a stamp and transfer it to the nail plate.
Using a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover, wipe the skin around the nail, removing excess paint.
We cover the design with a top coat or clear varnish.
Using a cotton pad soaked in acetone, wipe the surface of the stamp, scraper and plate from paint residues.
Repeat the design on the next nail.

Despite the ease of use of stamping, many experience difficulties in working. It should be noted that for beginners it is more convenient to use a completely transparent stamp with a silicone pad, since through it you can see how smoothly the print is applied. In addition, such a stamp does not need to be cleaned with tape, is not afraid of acetone and, having a sticky surface, can withstand ornaments made even with simple varnish with good pigmentation.

Photo gallery: stamping in various designs

A classic French jacket will look original if, before drawing a “smile”, a floral print is applied to the nail plate with white paint. For the “Veil” design, a lace print is applied to the base coat with black paint, and a drop of black varnish is added to the top coat to create a veil effect. monochromatic, several shades of stamping paint are applied to the plate at once, which, when rubbed with a scraper, mixes to create smooth transitions. A print with white paint on transparent varnish creates the effect of delicate lace. Using stamping, you can create decor on the nail of the ring finger, leaving the rest monochromatic. With reverse stamping, the print does not transferred directly to the nail and painted on a stamp. Then they cover it with topcoat and after it dries, remove it with film. Further, the technology is similar to attaching sliders

Stencils

Specialized stores sell manicure stencils for every taste. With their help, you can create drawings without having the slightest ability to draw straight lines. At home, manicure tape or other improvised means are often used as stencils. The method of application is quite simple.

Basic rules for those who are just starting to master the intricacies of manicure:

A beautiful manicure cannot be imagined without careful preparation of the nail plate and the skin around it. The most common mistake is to start filing your nails after taking a bath. The nail plate should be completely dry, so be sure to wait 10-15 minutes until your hands are properly dry.

Beginners should choose a file with an abrasiveness of 240 grit in the shape of a knife (we wrote more about how to choose the appropriate option). Thanks to the beveled edge, this file will not cut the skin, as is often the case with standard rounded files. You can not only file your nails with it, but also treat the side ridges.

Another serious mistake is to file your nails in a left-to-right pattern. The free edge of the nail should be treated with gentle movements - first in one direction, then in the other direction towards the center. Avoid sudden, chaotic movements to avoid damaging the structure of your nails and causing them to split.

If you have very rough and dry cuticles, go over it with a regular nail file: this will help the cuticle you will apply in the next step be more effective.

Apply the remover to the cuticle. Most of them start working in less than a minute. Therefore, it is better to apply the product only to one or two fingers, so as not to “overexpose” the composition on the remaining nails.

Also distribute the remover over the entire nail plate to solve the problem of yellowed nails, and along the side rollers to remove rough skin.

After the time specified in the instructions, start treating your nails with a special pusher or an orange stick. In this case, do not press on the nail plate under any circumstances! This can damage the matrix - that part of the nail near the cuticle where it is formed.

After treating the nails, the remover must be washed off and the nails wiped with a dry cloth. At the same time, you will degrease your nails before applying the polish. For even greater effectiveness, use a special degreaser.

Don't use cotton pads: they can leave small lint on your nails and prevent the polish from spreading evenly.

Apply a base coat: it will protect the nail plate from the penetration of polish pigments and also strengthen them. Apply the base in a very thin layer with a slight indentation from the cuticle. And don't forget to seal the end of the nail with varnish.

Start painting your nails with your little finger: if you start with your index finger, you may accidentally damage the fresh polish on the rest of your nails with your own hand.

Once the base has dried thoroughly, apply colored varnish. An ideal option for beginners are transparent varnishes. Such varnishes give your nails a well-groomed and neat look, and mistakes when applying them are not so noticeable.

The first coat of varnish is applied in five movements. The most common mistake newbies make is brushing their nails over and over again. The second layer needs to be applied a little differently: stretching a drop of varnish from the cuticle to the edges of the nail.

To make the polish last as long as possible, apply a top coat. Renew it every two days to extend the durability of your manicure.

Leave your manicure tips in the comments!

A detailed description of each step by a professional will help you create an original design and get your nails in order.

When doing a manicure, special attention should be paid to the shape of the nails.

To understand how to make a beautiful manicure step by step at home, you should listen to the advice of professionals.

When choosing the shape of your future manicure, you should pay attention to:

cuticle shape;
nail shape, finger length;
shape of the nail bed.

The most common is the oval shape of nails; it is suitable for any type of hands and finger shapes. Oval nails visually lengthen the fingers, especially if the hands are full and the fingers are short.

For owners of graceful hands with thin fingers, who have nails with a convex nail plate and a rectangular cuticle hole, a rectangular nail shape is suitable. The length does not really matter, rectangular shape looks good on both short and long nails.

For those women who have wide hands and large fingers, rounded nail shapes are ideal. In this case, the length of the nail extending from the edge must be at least 3 mm. This way the manicure will lengthen your fingers and give your hands grace.

A pointed form of manicure, it is also called almond-shaped for those whom nature has endowed with thin hand shapes and long fingers. On full hands, such a manicure will look awkward, violating the proportions.

Manicurists believe that the shape of the nails should follow the shape of the cuticle. But everything is purely individual.

There is one more important rule of manicure. All nails must be the same length. If one nail breaks, you will have to shorten all the others to the same length.

Choosing a nail file. Which one and what is it used for?

For a step-by-step manicure at home, you will need nail files. When choosing a nail file, you should pay attention to the material, from which it is made and its rigidity - abrasiveness.

Abrasiveness is the hardness of the file.

It depends on how large or fine the nail file is sprayed and how many units of abrasive there are per unit area. This value is measured in grits. The higher the grit number, the softer the file., accordingly, a file with a lower number of grits will be harder.

For polishing natural and artificial nails, buffs with an abrasiveness rating from 400 to 1000 grit are used.

Materials from which nail files are made, advantages and disadvantages:

Metal. They are durable and strong, these are all their advantages. The main disadvantages include the fact that such a file, with its spraying, severely damages the nail plate, which subsequently leads to delamination and brittleness. Metal files can be used for artificial nails.
Glass. A file that spares the nail plate. If handled properly, this nail file will last a long time. Its only drawback is fragility.
Plastic. Ideal choice of material. These files are easy to use, easy to wash and disinfect. A large assortment from different manufacturers will allow you to choose a nail file of suitable quality and reasonable price.
Paper. A budget option for a nail file based on thick cardboard with a coating. This nail file is not very durable and is suitable for one-time use.
Ceramic. To carefully process the tips of the nails, a glass file is used, and a ceramic one will seal the edge of the nail so that it does not delaminate. Just like a glass file, this nail file is quite fragile and requires careful handling.

Steaming the nail plate

There are 2 types of manicure:

classic, edged manicure;
European, non-edged manicure.

For a step-by-step manicure at home, it is better to choose a safe method of treating the cuticle. This is considered a European manicure. With this method, the cuticle is not cut, but is steamed and moved to the edge of the nail. Oils and special gels are used to slow down the growth of the cuticle.

Classic manicure - steaming and removing cuticles. Suitable for those who have some nail art skills.

In both cases, you will need to steam your hands in a hot bath for 5-7 minutes.

First, before steaming, give your nails the desired shape using a nail file. Steaming can be replaced by treating the cuticle with a special gel, which will soften it and make it easier to remove.

Adding herbal decoctions, essential oils, sea salt, and table salt to the steaming bath will strengthen your nails and make your hand skin softer and silkier.

Polishing

Polishing gives a neater look to your nails. When no coating is applied, polishing adds shine to the nails. When applying the coating, the coating adheres better to the polished surface of the nail.

You should follow some rules when applying polishing:

Doing a manicure at home, Don’t get too carried away with polishing your nail plates. Once a month will be enough. Step-by-step use of nail files coated with varying hardness will allow you to achieve excellent results.
It is not recommended to polish weakened nails, this may worsen their condition.
Nails must be buffed before polishing.. This procedure will improve the condition of the nail plate, eliminate irregularities and minor flaws. After sanding, the nails are polished with a soft nail file. If you plan to cover your nails with gel polish or shellac, you should only lightly sand your nails. Excessive sanding will thin the nail plate.

Coating

Any varnish, gel or shellac, when applied over a base coat, has a brighter color and lasts longer. When using a coating of soft, pale tones, a white matte varnish can be used as a base. Using a base will avoid multi-layering.

In order for the coating to adhere well, the nails must be thoroughly degreased immediately before coating.

This advice is especially relevant if fat-containing cuticle removal preparations were used for preparation.

Applying the coating starts from the base of the nail and continues to the edge of the nail.. The movement of the brush should be with light pressure in order to paint the maximum surface of the nail in one movement. Next, you will need 2 more light brush strokes to paint the remaining edges of the nail.

Gel or shellac coating requires additional products - a base and top coat. On oil-free nails, first apply the base, then the gel. After drying the coating, a topcoat is applied to strengthen it. If you use regular polish, you don't need a base coat, but using a top coat will extend the life of your manicure.

Materials and tools

Step-by-step manicure at home requires the availability of tools for such work.

You will need:

nippers or tweezers for removing cuticles; manicurists call them cuticle cutters;
manicure scissors with rounded ends for those who are not used to using clippers;
several files, with different hardness. For grinding and polishing buff;
sticks with a special end for cuticles/pusher (metal tool for working with cuticles).

Additionally:

nail polish remover/acrylic remover;
cotton pads;
To remove the acrylic coating you will need foil;
cuticle remover (for dry manicure);
capacity;
additives such as essential oils, sea/table salt, soap/gel;
paper napkins;
cuticle moisturizing oil, hand cream - all this is used to complete the manicure.

Sterilizing instruments at home

The health of your nails depends on how clean the tool you use for manicure is. A minor wound can cause big trouble. At home, manicure tools should also be disinfected.

The number of tool users at home is limited, but this does not cancel disinfection.

To sterilize manicure instruments at home, you do not need to buy a special device that is used in salons.

Home remedies for sterilization:

hydrogen peroxide;
pure alcohol;
vinegar.

Depending on what product is used, the sterilization time also differs. Pure alcohol implies instant sterilization, and using hydrogen peroxide will take several hours. You can sterilize an instrument with vinegar if the liquid does not damage the coating of the instrument.

Methods for sterilizing metal instruments:

boiling;
heating over an open flame;
heating in the oven.

Metal instruments are first washed under running water and then sterilized. Sterilization on an open flame is carried out for 5 minutes, boiling or sterilization in the oven - for 15-20 minutes.

To sterilize nail files, use a spray filled with a disinfection solution.

If someone at home has a fungal infection of the skin and uses the same tools, disinfection should be carried out especially carefully.

Ready-made disinfectants that can be purchased on the Internet, pharmacy or specialized stores:

sterillium;
cutasept f;
octenisept;
estilodez antiseptic;
bansolar;
alaminol.

The manufacturer offers such products in the form of sprays, concentrates, and wipes.

What pharmaceutical products may be useful?

To sterilize home manicure tools, products can be purchased at pharmacies.

These include:

hydrogen peroxide;
alcohol;
octenisept;
sterillium.

Cuticle removers

To quickly and effectively remove cuticles, salons use special products - removers. They allow you to soften the cuticle in a short time and contribute to its high-quality removal. Some removers contain substances that subsequently slow down the growth of the cuticle.

Such products contain acids or alkalis Therefore, removers are not recommended for use in case of fungal diseases and people prone to allergic reactions.

There are several types of removers:

acidic;
alkaline;
oil;
mineral.

Oil and mineral based removers are considered the safest. They are recommended for home use.

The remover is applied to dry cuticles using a brush or directly from a tube with a special spout. After 3-5 minutes, the product is wiped off with a napkin, the cuticle is pushed back using a stick or pusher. The product is not washed off with water. When using an acid remover, it is recommended to cover the skin around the nail with oil.

When doing a manicure at home, you can step by step use olive oil and lemon juice. This combination will allow you to quickly and efficiently treat the periungual space.

Step-by-step instructions for performing a classic edged manicure

Performing a trim manicure step by step has the following steps:

removal of old coating, if any;
shaping the nails, this should be done before steaming;
steam your hands, remove the cuticle/ in case of dry manicure, use a remover to remove the cuticle;
use a stick to clean the space under the nails;
grinding, polishing;
applying nail strengtheners;
To finish, apply cuticle oil to the nails and around the nails, then apply hand cream.

Unedged manicure at home

European manicure is done in 3 ways:

Dry method With the use of a remover, your hands do not get steamed. It should be remembered that some types of removers can cause allergic reactions.
Wet method using a warm bath to steam your hands.
Hot method Designed for steaming very rough cuticles and hand skin.

Manicure should be performed in the following sequence:

First you need to shape your nails.
Steam your hands. If using the dry method, treat the cuticle with a remover. After 5-7 minutes you can work with the cuticle.
Wipe your hands dry/Remove remover with a napkin or cotton swab.
Move the softened cuticle to the root of the nail with a wooden stick or pusher.
Apply oil that slows down cuticle growth and rub it well into the nail plate at the base of the nail. Using this oil will allow you to do manicures less frequently in the future.
Before coating, thoroughly degrease your nails.

How to do a French manicure step by step

The most popular manicure is French, that is, French manicure. The French jacket is suitable for all occasions: with an evening dress and an office suit.

The classic version of a French manicure is a nude base and a white smile at the tip of the nail.

Modern nail design offers different variations of this manicure.

To do a French manicure at home you will need a little skill:

Give your nails the desired shape. It is better if it is rectangular or oval in shape.
Steam your hands.
Treat the cuticle. For a French manicure, a classic edged manicure is suitable.
Further buff and polish your nails. These simple procedures will extend the life of the coverage.
Apply base coat, flesh or beige varnish.
After drying draw a smile using a thin brush or stencil. The width of the smile should be the same on all nails. A wide smile will visually shorten your nails, so it is not recommended to get too carried away. The width of the contrast strip should be no more than 2 - 3 mm, depending on the length of the free tip of the nail.
After cover your nails with clear varnish, fixing the smile. You should also coat the end of the nail, this will seal all the layers and strengthen the coating.
The procedure ends applying oil to the cuticle. Apply a little cream to the skin of your hands, rub in with massage movements.

Gradient on nails

The application technique in the gradient or ombre style has been very popular for many years. This is the use of several colors, the transition from one color to another. This coating looks original and impressive.

Required:

varnish 2-4 colors;
sponge;
nail polish remover;
cotton buds;
toothpick;
foil.

Gradient coating, step-by-step implementation:

Prepare your nails.
Before applying the coating, generously lubricate the skin around the nail with cuticle oil. The oil will make it easier to remove any polish that gets on your skin.
Further actions will require some speed in work. Draw strips of varnish on the foil close to each other and blend their borders together. Dip the sponge into the created palette and transfer it to the nails.
Cover your nails with top coat without waiting for the layer to dry.
Clean off excess polish using cotton swabs and nail polish remover.

Multicolored nails

A popular technique is coating with varnish of different colors. You can choose a palette of colors that are close or opposite to each other according to the color wheel. You will need varnishes of 2-5 colors, manicure tools.

Step by step execution:

Nail preparation.
Before you start painting your nails, bottles of polish should be opened and prepared in the order in which they will be used. If 2 colors are used, determine which nails will be covered with which color.
Cover the nails one at a time, dry, and secure with top coat.

Lunar manicure with gel polish or shellac

Moon manicure is the opposite of French manicure. The hole is covered with white varnish, the main coating is done in a different, contrasting color. You can use brighter combinations of foundation and smile.

Step-by-step instructions for performing a moon manicure with gel polish or shellac:

Preparing nails for coating
Coating the nails with the main color, drying the coating in a lamp. Depending on the power of the lamp, this will take from 1 to 2 minutes.
Drawing a lunar smile using a thin brush. Drying.
Cover with a top coat and dry again.

The border line between the main layer and the base can be decorated with rhinestones. Rhinestones are applied to the smile before drying. The surface is strengthened with topcoat.

Matte and mirror manicure for short nails

A fashion trend is a combination of matte and mirror manicure of the same color. A matte surface is obtained by applying a special coating to a regular gel polish.

This coating is great for short nails.

Step-by-step instructions for performing a matte-glossy manicure:

Preparing nails for coating.
Apply base, then base. Drying in a lamp.
Apply matte top coat to selected nails. To combine a matte finish and gloss on one nail, use a stencil. This technique will allow you to create an interesting design.

For a glossy manicure at home, use foil or rubbing, polyester powder. You can buy all this in specialized stores.

Step-by-step instructions for creating a mirror manicure using powder:

Apply a base layer of gel and dry.
Immediately after drying, sprinkle the base layer with powder. The powder is applied using a spatula. Rub the powder with the applicator. Remove excess powder with a brush.
Apply topcoat and dry in a lamp.

The secret of shimmering mirror nails

For a mirror manicure, a special powder is used. It is made of polyester, a material that consists of small particles. It is these particles that reflect light and give the manicure a mirror shine.

Using powder with different colors and particle sizes makes it possible to create an original manicure.

Newspaper manicure

A simple newspaper manicure.

Required:

base color;
newspaper, 10 pieces of newspaper with fine dough for each nail;
acetone;
transparent top.

Execution sequence:

Prepare nails for coating.
Apply base color.
Immediately after applying the base color with a drop of acetone, attach a piece of newspaper to the nail.
Wait until the newspaper is completely dry. Do not move the newspaper until it is completely dry to avoid streaks.
Remove the newspaper and cover your nails with a clear topcoat.

Applying such a manicure will take time, but the result is worth it.

Hollywood mirror minx with foil

Mirror manicure using foil. The choice of foil color depends on what color of varnish will be used.

Step by step execution:

Gel polish is applied to prepared nails and dried.
Afterwards, colorless foil glue is applied to the gel. You need to wait until the glue dries.
The foil is applied to the glue with the matte side and carefully smoothed with a wooden stick.
After this, the foil is removed and the mirror layer remains on the nail.
Completion – covering with a setting topcoat.

Design - cat eye

Spectacular cat eye manicure. A special magnetic gel is a varnish that contains particles that, under the influence of a magnet, create an iridescent pattern on the nail.

To work you will need gel polish with magnetic particles and a magnet.

Step by step execution:

Gel polish is applied to prepared nails.
A magnet is brought to the surface of the nail, which orients the particles in a certain direction, creating a reflective effect. Depending on how you apply the magnet, the particles will be positioned. Exactly, diagonally or in wavy stripes.
After this, dry the layer.
Apply top coat and dry.

Beautiful manicure with a stencil

Manicure using a stencil is very popular. The stencil makes it possible to create an original and neat manicure at home without much difficulty. In a specialized store you can purchase stencils for French and moon manicure.

They also sell special adhesive tape for geometric designs and a variety of adhesive sheets with elegant patterns. For this manicure you will need 2 colors of polish and a stencil.

Manicure with a stencil is performed as follows:

First, the nails are prepared for coating;
the base is applied, then the base, the layer must be dried;
a stencil or adhesive tape is pasted and the nails are covered with varnish of a different color;
the stencil is removed from the nails at the moment when the layer has dried, but not completely;
A protective coating is applied and dried.

Stamping - stamp design

Another quick method to create an original manicure, now using stamps. This method differs from the previous method in that the stencil is a one-time sticker, and the stamp can be reused.

To perform a manicure using stamping, you will need plates with designs and a stamp - a device with a silicone base for transferring the design to the nail plate.

First, the nails should be prepared and covered with a base, then with a base on which the design will be applied.

Dry the base layer thoroughly so that there are no marks when applying the stamp. Apply a protective coating to the skin around the nail, which will be removed after applying the stamp and the skin will remain clean.

Varnish is applied to the patterned stencil, and the excess is carefully removed using a scraper. Afterwards, the design is transferred from the plate to the stamp, then to the nail, and so on. Then the finished manicure must be covered with a top coat.

A drawing made using a stencil is quite fragile and requires protection. Apply the top coat without applying strong pressure to avoid smearing the stamp. The top coat will extend the durability of the manicure.

Water manicure: how to do a manicure yourself

A simple water manicure technology, you will need:

a water container, not very wide, but sufficient to place a finger in it;
varnishes 2 - 3 colors;
toothpick for drawing patterns;
tape/cuticle oil/greasy cream to protect the area around the nail area from excess polish;
cotton swabs and disks;
varnish remover;
base, top

Execution step by step:

Cover the nails with the base, then dry with the varnish that will be the main one.
Fill the container with water at room temperature.
Drop a few drops of varnish one by one onto the surface of the water. Make the next drop in the center of the previous one. Wait for them to spread.
Create a pattern on the water. Make 2-3 movements with a toothpick on the varnish film.
Lubricate the periungual fold with cuticle cream/oil/glue it with tape around the nail. Nails should be dry.
Dip your finger in water, the film will transfer to the nail. Remove your finger.
Next, remove the tape; if cream was used, wipe off excess varnish. Anything that could not be removed immediately should be cleaned using cotton swabs and detergent.
This procedure can be carried out with each nail. The combination of a plain and water-based nail coating on the fingers of one hand looks original.
Secure the resulting pattern with a top coat.

Simple varnishes with special effects

Varnishes with special effects are a quick way to create an original manicure without much effort.

Manufacturers offer:

Glitter polishes. These can be rare small specks of glitter in a colored base or discernible medium-sized and large sparkles of geometric shapes in a transparent and colored base.
Glitter polishes made entirely of glitter glitters.
Glitters with splashes, resembling sugar crystals. The coating has a dense texture and, when dry, has a rough surface.
Metallic effect varnishes, silver and gold.
Varnishes with craquelure effect, cracking effect. The varnish is applied to a contrasting base with shimmer (reflective particles). Afterwards, a special color coating is applied to the base and dried in air. In this case, cracks appear on the top layer of varnish.
Matte finishes with and without sparkles.

Brands of varnishes and acrylic coatings for nails and estimated prices:

Laque RuNail – 270-300 rubles;
Essie – 300-350 rubles;
Vinylux CND - 550 rub.;
P.I. – 550 rub.;
Kodi Professional - 500 rub.;
Shellac CND – 1000 rub.;
Gelish Harmony — 1000 rub.

The most common brands that are preferred to be used in nail salons are Kodi, Shellac CND and Vinylux CND.

Baths and oils to strengthen nails after manicure

For nails that are peeling, baths with sea or table salt will be useful.

To enhance the effect of such a bath, add a drop of iodine.

For weakened nails - warm oil baths with the addition of vitamins A and E, herbal decoctions of chamomile, calendula and mint.

Using natural nail oils will strengthen the nail plate, prevent splitting and brittleness of nails, improve the general condition of nails and the skin around them. Oils can be used both as part of baths and independently.

Baths with essential oils:

lemon;
grapefruit;
rosemary;
jojoba;
avocado.

To strengthen nails, rub in ylang-ylang, lavender, and tea tree oils. Nail masks made from a mixture of natural oils are also used. Olive, castor, and linseed oil are used as the basis for this mask. To be effective, the oil mixture must be heated before use.

When performing a manicure yourself at home, you need to follow the advice of professionals.

Then step-by-step execution will become not just work, but an exciting creative activity that you will want to return to more and more often.

Well-groomed hands and a beautiful manicure are the calling card of every woman.

Useful videos on how to do a manicure at home

How to do a “Gradient” manicure yourself at home? Watch in the video clip:

Find out how to perform a trim manicure yourself in the video: