When talking about manicure, what comes to mind first is nails. But no, manicure is not just about taking care of our nails but the entire hand. Most men also seem to look at manicures as routines done by women only when in reality this is something that should be adopted by both genders. Everyone should take care if their hands because they are the most used part of our bodies and therefore should be treated with so much care. Your hands are also a very big first impression. If you shake hands with someone for the first time you can immediately judge them based on the feel of their hands. And when the feel is raggedy nails, rough and dirty hands then chances are, you will not get the outcome you were looking forward to.  

Manicures not only keep the hand healthy but also exponentially improves the look of the hands. Frequent visits to the salons for regular manicures is great but you could also opt to take matters in your own hands and do it at home by yourself. You will only need to get the required supplies and you will be good to go.

In this article we have a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect manicure as well as get the most out of this entire process. So let’s get right into it:

Step 1: Soak your hands

Soaking your hands is the first step as it will help give your nails and skin time to soften before you do anything else. To soak, fill a bowl with warm water and leave your hands in for about 10 minutes. Ensure the bowl is big enough so it can fit both of your hands. Afterwards, pat your hands dry with a clean towel and proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Scrub and clean nails

After soaking, your hands are now soft enough for scrubbing. Use a nailbrush and gently scrub your nails to get rid of any dirt and loose skin around your nails. Ensure you use a soft nail brush that won’t be too rough on the skin and nails. For stubborn dirt that don't come off immediately, use a metal manicure stick to gently remove them. Use the metal stick to also clean under the nails as well. Be sure to use the slanted or rounded side of the stick though as you might hurt yourself while using the pointed side and cause damage to your nails.

Step 3: Trim your nails

By the end of the manicure we want out nails looking neat, therefore use a nail clipper to trim down your nails to desired length. Ensure that the nails are square-shaped and relatively short as this helps to prevent ingrown nails and improved the health of the nails as well.

Step 4: Care for cuticles

Cuticles are the thin layers of dead skin that form at the bottom of the nails. To remove them, first apply a cuticle remover to soften and wipe away the dead skin. Next, use either a metal or wooden stick to gently push back the cuticles. Avoid cutting cuticles as this might lead to infections in future.

Step 5: File and buff nails

Next, file your nails to smooth out the edges as trimming them often leaves jagged edges. Filing them will also help prevent chipping and breakage. Afterwards, use a nail buffer to smooth out the ridges of your nails. Buffing also helps improve blood flow to your nail bed as well as leave the nails with a subtle shine.

Step 6: Rinse and dry your nails

Finally, wash your hand with soap and rinse off any residue left over from trimming, filing and buffing. Ensure you use soap that’s meant for the hands so they don't dry out. Afterwards, gently pat your hands dry with a clean towel.

Step 7: Apply nail polish

This is step is absolutely optional but I’d advice you not to skip it as it has lots of benefits. Nail polish helps strengthen nails therefore if you have weak and brittle nails, do this to make your nail tips stronger. A clear polish would work best to leave your nails looking clean and neat. Though, you could apply matte polish if you don't want your nails to appear too shiny.

Step 8: Moisturize

Lastly, apply a hydrating hand cream then massage it into your hands, nails and cuticles. This will help smoothen tour hands and boost overall circulation. You could also apply cuticle oil on your nails to prevent them from looking dry and crusty.