• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

7 Steps to a Perfect DIY Manicure

May 1st, 2012 by Karen 53 Comments

SammyAbout the Author
This guest post was written by Sammy of The Naulasaurus. You can also find Sammy on Twitter, Facebook and Etsy.

How to do a salon perfect manicure

I’ve been blogging about all things nail-related for more than two years now, and most of the questions I get from readers go back to basics. How do you get the polish so smooth? How do you get it so neat around your cuticles? What’s the secret?

I must’ve painted my nails more than a thousand times in my life, so I suppose if there is a secret, it’s just practice, practice, practice!

To get you started on the practicing, here are the seven steps I take to get a perfect DIY manicure!

Step 1:

Start by washing your hands and giving your nails a good scrubbing with a nail brush. Make sure you completely remove the remnants of your previous manicure.

One trick I use to remove stubborn old polish stuck around my cuticles is to use an old toothbrush dipped in polish remover to scrub it away.

Pushing back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher makes it easier to smoothly paint on your polish without making a mess, and here’s a good bargain on a set from E.L.F.

Salon perfect manicure: step 1

Step 2:

With a glass nail file, smooth away any snags around your nails, and sculpt them to your favourite shape. Glass nail files are my favourite kind. They work mush faster than other files, and they’re better for your nails.

Salon perfect manicure: step 2

Step 3:

Apply a base coat to protect your nails, keep them strong, and make your mani last longer.

Salon perfect manicure: step 3

My all-time favourite base coat is OPI Nail Envy, and before I discovered it, my nails were weak!

I couldn’t grow them out at all because they’d snap and peel all the time, but I’ve been using Nail Envy under every manicure for years now, and my nails are practically diamond hard! It’s a must for anyone whose nails peel or break easily.

Step 4:

Time for the fun part. I start by painting my chosen shade with one stroke down the center, and then another on either side. Today’s polish is a seductive, deep red from Cult Nails called Quench.

Salon perfect manicure: step 4

This approach may not work for everyone, and it could take a few tries to find a way that works best for you. The key is to take your time for a silky smooth application.

Step 5:

Add a second coat of colour, or as many as you need. Sheerer polishes may need more than two, and with more opaque colours, you might get away with just one.

Salon perfect manicure: step 5

Step 6:

Add a topcoat for a lasting finish. I use NYC’s In A New York Minute in Grand Central Station.

Salon perfect manicure: step 6

It’s an absolute godsend! It’s super shiny, and it really does dry in 1 minute, although I normally wait at least an hour before doing anything too rough with my nails. The best part is that it’s less than £2 ($3) a bottle, and you can find it in most drugstores.

Step 7:

This is the step that most people are curious about: the cleanup. I always have a bit of polish left around my cuticles that I’d rather wasn’t there, but nobody’s perfect, and there’s a very simple solution.

Dip a small paintbrush — the teeniest one you can find — into a bottle of acetone or nail polish remover, and run it around your cuticle to clean up the edges and leave you with a nice crisp line.

Salon perfect manicure: step 7

And those are my seven sacred steps for a perfect DIY manicure! Perfect, that is, if you don’t have the time, or if you’re anything like me, the spare pennies and inclination, to spare a trip to the salon before that big event.

The perfect salon manicure

SammyAbout the Author
This guest post was written by Sammy of The Naulasaurus. You can also find Sammy on Twitter, Facebook and Etsy.

7 Steps to a Perfect DIY Manicure / Originally published May 1st, 2012

There are 53 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Guest Post, Makeup Tips/How To, Nails Keywords: guest post

Previous Post: Kauai, Day 5: Jungle Hikes, Kayaks and Ke’e Beach
Next Post: MAC Unsung Heroes: C-Thru Lipglass

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emi at Project Swatch says

    May 1st, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    Great tutorial! Cleanup is always the hardest step for me, probably because I’m a bit messy when I paint my right hand 🙂
    Emi at Project Swatch recently posted … NOTD: Layla Flash Black Hologram Effect Nail Polish

    Reply
  2. Jessica says

    May 1st, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    Great tip for getting nailpolish off your cuticles with a toothbrush! I never would’ve thought of that.. =)

    Reply
  3. Liz G. says

    May 1st, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    I agree, awesome tutorial! I’ve always been a wreck at doing my nails but now I think I have some good tips, especially the cleanup part. Thanks Sammy!

    Reply
  4. Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says

    May 1st, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    Great tips Sammy! I’m really not the best in doing manicure, and I always make a mess. Looks like I need a small paintbrush and cuticle pusher now!

    Reply
  5. Naomi says

    May 1st, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    Loved this post! I now need a small brush for my clean up.
    Naomi recently posted … Silver Smoke and White Ashes with Coastal Scents Go Cairo Palette

    Reply
    • Steph says

      May 1st, 2012 at 10:50 pm

      you can get a teeny paintbrush at the craft store for under $1!

      Reply
  6. Rads says

    May 1st, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    Fabulous post and your photos!!

    I am quite clumsy with my nail polish application..but am learning. Recently started doing the brush clean-up and find it so useful 😀
    Rads recently posted … Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush: Candy Coral

    Reply
  7. Gotham Polish says

    May 1st, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    Another amazing post, Sammy! Of course you chose a red polish, gah applying red can be terrifying but you make it look so easy 🙂
    Gotham Polish recently posted … Lilacs and Lilacism

    Reply
  8. Shauna says

    May 1st, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    Great article/tutorial! I completely agree that the glass nail file is the way to go!

    * OPI’s Rapi Dry spray is a-mazing to put onto any quick dry or normal top coat, if you haven’t tried it, I would highly recommend 😀

    Reply
  9. EmmyJean says

    May 1st, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Great post! I’ve never been good at painting my nails, will have to try out the seven steps!
    EmmyJean recently posted … How to Cover the Darkest of Dark Circles

    Reply
  10. Stacie says

    May 1st, 2012 at 8:02 pm

    Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Britany B. says

    May 1st, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    OMG Thank you!! Now I know what to do with this eyeliner brush I never use LOL. Gonna try this RIGHT now.

    Reply
  12. Michelle says

    May 1st, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    I’ve tried the NYC topcoat and it chips on me within hours! Has anyone else experienced this?

    Reply
  13. Helz Nguyen says

    May 1st, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    Thank you so much for the tips 🙂 highly appreciated! Im a horrible nail polisher and my nails are not always in the best conditions, so these tips comes in handy for me!

    Reply
  14. Anitacska says

    May 2nd, 2012 at 2:51 am

    I should try OPI Nail Envy, my nails are in a really bad shape. 🙁 Great tutorial!
    Anitacska recently posted … Barbara Daly Satin Swirl Eyes Eyeshadows Review and Swatches Part 3

    Reply
  15. Stef Smith says

    May 2nd, 2012 at 7:05 am

    Nail Envy is awesome! I use it as a basecoat and it makes my manicure last longer and strengthens my nails!

    Reply
  16. LauraA says

    May 2nd, 2012 at 12:24 pm

    Thank you for the toothbrush hint–I never thought of a brush as a possibility for the pesky little bits that evade regular removal. Will have to try that tonight. 🙂

    Also, love the Cult shade you selected, Sammy–it’s a beautiful color.

    Reply
  17. JennySue Makeup says

    May 2nd, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    best tutorial ever- i wish i had seen this last night while i was doing my own nails!! i am going to try every step and these products!! going to share this with all my followers!!!

    Reply
  18. Sarah S. says

    May 2nd, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    The cleanup is just so smart. I need to hunt for a tiny brush now!

    Reply
  19. raina99 says

    May 2nd, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    Great advice Sammy. I am so using these steps! 🙂
    raina99 recently posted … Glossybox.ca …Did you know…

    Reply
  20. Joan says

    May 2nd, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    Thank you Sammy! Fantastic manicure tips- and your nails are beautiful. Joan

    Reply
  21. Liz says

    May 3rd, 2012 at 2:54 am

    Perfect application and great tips 🙂 I am usually too lazy and skip the cleanup step, but my hand has become more steadier so I don’t usually get the polish on my cuticles anymore. 🙂

    Reply
  22. Bobby Thomas says

    May 3rd, 2012 at 4:03 am

    Hey Sammy

    Great guest post.

    Being honest I have no interest in nail polish etc, but it was so good I read all of it.

    I am from South Wales also 🙂 that’s so cool. What area you from if you don’t mind me asking?

    Bobby Thomas
    Bobby Thomas recently posted … Healthy Habits Challenge 1: Drink 2L Of Water Per Day

    Reply
  23. Jessica W says

    May 3rd, 2012 at 4:50 am

    Gorgeous colour! I love manicures 🙂 I can paint my left nails perfectly but not my right. Sigh.

    Reply
  24. ellyp says

    May 3rd, 2012 at 8:01 am

    Can you give a tutorial on how you get such nice cuticles? I would love to know! I am having a hard time knowing what to do and I have been asking around a lot.

    Reply
  25. Evani says

    May 3rd, 2012 at 10:22 am

    Great tutorial! Seems so simple when you put it that way!

    Love,
    Evani

    Reply
  26. Rashidah Ferguson says

    May 3rd, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    LOVE this post. and that manicure is better than a salon version

    Reply
  27. Marcela says

    May 5th, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    I´ll sure try it! Thanks for sharing… xoxo

    Reply
  28. Joanne says

    May 31st, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    Thanks for the great outline–sometimes I even have trouble putting on clear polish, haha. Any suggestions for dry skin all the way up the sides of my nails, particularly right where the nail bed ends and the tips start? Cuticle oil just doesn’t do it for these darned rough spots. Anybody solve a similar problem?

    Reply
    • Tania says

      November 14th, 2012 at 5:22 am

      Joanne – try a&d ointment. It’s great. Like a Vaseline with antibiotics!

      Reply
    • Terri says

      March 11th, 2019 at 12:34 pm

      Would also love some advice. My nails, every finger, super dry, especially where the nail bed ends and the tips start. I’ve tried everything, even pure vitamin E.

      Reply
  29. Monica says

    July 11th, 2012 at 6:15 am

    Hey Sammy! This was great advice- your nails are awesome! What I can never figure out though is drying time in between coats- Should the first coat be totally dry before you apply the second coat? And before the top coat?
    Thanks!!

    Reply
  30. Doreen says

    July 16th, 2012 at 8:11 am

    Do you let each coat dry between applications?

    Chemotherapy ruined what little shape my nails had and I’ve been struggling now for years to regain my pretty & strong nails.

    Reply
    • Luzette says

      August 26th, 2012 at 1:42 am

      Doreen,

      You might want to try also taking Biotin tablets–can be found with vitamins. My dermatologist recommended it to me when I complained of peeling, week nails. He suggested taking it every day, and after about six months or so, I would see a difference. It didn’t even take that long and I have REALLY seen a difference. My nails don’t peel at all now, and it’s been a few years. I’ve actually even stopped taking the biotin, but the effect has lasted.

      Of course, this is if there is no medical reason you shouldn’t take the mineral. I wish you great luck!

      Luzette

      Reply
  31. Ginger says

    July 16th, 2012 at 10:23 pm

    Thank you so much! I’ve never done anything more than brush on some clear polish. I think I’ll actually try this!

    Reply
  32. Lorelei says

    July 22nd, 2012 at 7:35 pm

    For the topcoat, I might suggest Seche Vite. It is also pretty important to remove all or most of the pteregium from the surface of the nail (it’s sort of a waxy substance that grows out with your nail) before the undercoat, and…..don’t paint the fashion color all the way up to your cuticles. Those are the professional tips!

    Reply
  33. Rowena says

    July 24th, 2012 at 5:42 am

    Sammy, I thank you on behalf of all womankind for the paintbrush tip. No more smudging with a cotton-tipped orange stick!

    Reply
  34. Shea Mingo says

    July 25th, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    Loves it!! I found this via Pinterest. Thanks so much for the tips. The paintbrush tip is genius!! Of course I have to subscribe to your blog now!

    Shea

    Reply
  35. Judy Dunn says

    August 13th, 2012 at 8:52 am

    Thanks for the great tips Sammy. Will try the OPI base coat and love the small brush tip to remove polish around the nail, common problem.

    Judy

    Reply
  36. Sravya says

    September 14th, 2012 at 2:56 am

    Hi Sammy,
    I really love my nails, but no time to maintain them. sometimes I even forget to color them. Your steps are very good. As it takes less time for this, I will follow them.
    Thank you

    Reply
  37. Mary says

    September 15th, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    Essie good to go,,,the best top coat ever!

    Reply
  38. adrienne says

    October 5th, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    You make this look totally doable! Thanks!

    Reply
  39. Jo says

    October 15th, 2012 at 8:52 pm

    Simply beautiful nails! Very well done!
    I get compliments on my nails because I’ve practiced and practiced and yes, practice does make perfect! Plus, it’s a hobby of mine to pamper my nails 🙂
    For cleanup I’ve been using a Qtip moistened in nail polish remover but now I want to find a paint brush!
    Thank you for the tips and pictures!

    Reply
  40. Sarah says

    October 21st, 2012 at 9:55 am

    Thank you for such a wonderful tut. I’ve been a little spoiled (ok a lot) by having weekly manicures until I revampedy budget. I have a terrible time with my cuticles pealing and bleeding. They never did until I stopped having manicures. Your cuticles look so clean. My question for you is, what do you do to keep your cuticles so healthy?

    Reply
  41. Jennifer says

    November 18th, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    Fabulous tutorial!

    Reply
  42. Nare says

    November 19th, 2012 at 1:39 am

    Wow…that is the PERFECT manicure! I never thought about the old toothbrush trick…definitely going to use that for those bits that don’t budge!
    Nare recently posted … All About Lips

    Reply
  43. Katie Lynn says

    November 26th, 2012 at 9:16 am

    The one thing that I do that you don’t have listed here is rough the top of my nails with a fine buffer. I use the polar block from Sally’s to do that. It definitely helps my polish last longer without chipping. Usually I will get striations at the stress points but no chips before I switch polishes.

    For base and top coat I use the Rock. Rock Hard for my base (that’s the strengthening one) and the regular Rock as the topcoat. It’s insanely glossy and self-levels. They’re both about $7/bottle at most Sally’s stores.

    I can usually go a good week before noticing wear on my tips (and I am very rough on my hands). I used to use Nail Envy, but the formula I liked best became too difficult to find (and expensive for the amount I would go through!).

    Reply
  44. Amy says

    November 26th, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    Love this! I do the same and she’s so right practice makes perfect!!! One trick I’ve discovered recently that works magic is after the 7th step, get Pam (yes Pam, non stick cooking spray) and spray it on your nails. Let the top coat dry for 5-10 minutes before you do this. One you’ve sprayed it on your nails, wash them in freezing cold water. It makes your nails soo smooth and helps the polish last. Almost like a wax for a car

    Reply
  45. Lene says

    January 26th, 2013 at 8:59 am

    Thanks for the last tip about the cleanup!!! I’ve been wondering how my favorite bloggers have been achieving that crisp, uniform and perfect line!

    Reply
  46. Prabha says

    February 2nd, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    If I do some nail art to my nails and after that if I use nail enamel as top coat the designs gets smudge…tell me the apt solution to prevent it…

    Reply
  47. Julie says

    February 12th, 2013 at 7:42 pm

    I found your tutorial very useful. I also read that if you apply baby oil around your cuticles it helps from the nail polish stickin to your cuticle ( or skin, in my case).

    Reply
  48. Miria says

    December 21st, 2014 at 9:40 am

    Great! Thank you for the tips! 🙂

    Reply
  49. Shelly Golding says

    December 17th, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    Nail Envy bubbles when I use it as a base coat

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

SHOP THE STORE


Long Live Lipstick Tee 💄



Blush Is My Crush Tee



Mascara & Kitties Tee



Thank You For Being a Friend Tee



You Hair Me Tee


Recent Posts

This or That: The Hair Dye Edition

coycoy fifth birthday 2

Five Days –> Five Months –> Five Years

5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

good morning spring flower

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 667

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 648

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

red brown smokey eyes tutorial top pic 2

A Glamorously Grungy Makeup Tutorial: Smoky Reddish Brown Eyes and Vampy Matte Lips [MODERATE SKILL LEVEL]

Copyright © 2020 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.