The inflation that is here is so unbelievably costly. I mean I used to spend $150/week for groceries for my family of 3 and now I’m spending over $200 each and every week. I know that’s probably cheap for some of you but we were a family of 5 so we were so excited when it went down a bit to $150! Because of these prices I find myself cutting back on anything extra. The first thing that went was my manicures and pedicures. I only got them 3-4x a year but I no longer do them at all. I found myself trying to find any little tips I could to help give myself a better manicure at home. Here’s what I found. 

5 tips to give you the best manicure/pedicure at home

1. The first tip I have for you is to take your shower and once a week when you take a shower to use your fingernail to gently push your cuticles back. I do this on both my toes and my fingers. It really does help me because my skin is so soft from being wet in the shower that it just moves them back easily. It’s a great time saver and a tip! 
2. The second thing I now do is to use a pumice stone to remove your callouses and dead skin on your feet. You do this, again, right after you shower or bath. The first time I did this it took me about 2-3 minutes per foot. But now that I do it 2-3 times per week it takes me about 30 seconds per foot. It’s so fast and your feet will thank you for it. You don’t have to use those fancy graters or expensive little machines on your feet. A simple but effective pumice stone will do. 
3. My third tip is to make sure you use good hand lotion before you go to bed each night. My hands stay in water almost all day. So I have to do this multiple times per day. But I always remember to do it at night before bed. Keeping your hands in good working order is so important. 
4. My fourth tip is to use good polish. My friend (who does her nails bi-weekly) swears by OPI brand. I like the ones at Walmart just as well. But she says the OPI brand polish lasts longer. And I usually don’t get more than 4 days before mine chip so ymmv (your milage may vary)!
5. If you are giving yourself a manicure it’s helpful to make sure your nails are clean and dry. If I wash my hands I try to wait an hour before I paint them. Dip in nail polish remover first to make sure there’s no oil on your nails. Then I use a good base coat, apply polish in thin sheets, and then use a good top coat. 

I have one more tip for you…if you get in the shower the next day after doing your nails you can scrape your nail polish off your fingers and toes wherever it went wrong! lol Most people know that but if not there you go! 

That’s it. That is my routine. 

Please be sure if you are painting your nails a lot to let your nails breathe. I try to let my nails breathe at least a month after my polish has been on consistently for 6-8 weeks. Then during the winter I try to let my toes just be naked. I need my toenails to breathe without polish on them during the cold. I’m mostly in socks and shoes anyway so why paint my toes? 

With everything use your good judgement and moderation. I also cut my nails sometimes when my polish comes off that one nail. That way my polish still looks so good. 

What other tips do you have to share with us about giving yourself a mani/pedi?