Some Tools Of The Trade

Anyone can do a home manicure with simple stuff. Here's the stuff I use.

I like cheap nail polish remover that smells like strawberries (sort of) because it doesn't dry me out as much as the pure acetone, which is even cheaper. That's an old kool-aid container that I keep cotton balls in and I throw them in the lid.














I like Nutra-Nail products because they are gentle. I used some Sally Hanson cuticle remover (green stuff) and I didn't wash it off immediately and one of my toenails came off! Horrible.

This is a container my son made for me that I keep shea butter in. Isn't it completely gorgeous?













My cuticles do not grow very thick, so I can use some gentle stuff like this. I use the side of tweezers to push them back and pick off the extra skin. I also keep a pair of cuticle cutters handy so I can clip of any hangnails.

I have a glass file for my nail edges, but I use an emery board for the sides of my nails because it's thinner. I tend to get some thick edges along the sides of my nails. I clip the edges sometimes instead of filing them because I'm impatient. Shorter nails are way easier to deal with than longer ones.

Glass files are nice because they don't wear out, but they are kind of thick.









Once I'm filed I wash my hands, put on a base coat, polish, top coat, cuticle oil and shea butter.

I buy this stuff at an Amish farm market. It comes in a little condiment container and it's like $4.00 and lasts forever and a day.














A little goes a looooong way. It's a bit greasy at first, but that goes away. I love it!

That's all you really need for nice looking nails. You can get way fancier, and I have some fancier stuff, but if you start simply you will probably get in the habit of taking care of them. I used to pick my nails and cuticles to death and always had sore and ragged hangnails. This feels much better, is healthier and got to be a great hobby for me.

Pedicure, same thing, if you can reach your feet. If you can't you can probably get them done about once a month or so to keep the cost down. I think it's important to take care of your feet too.