How to Get the Perfect Manicure at Home
Whether you're trying to save money or you're still iffy on going to the salon, there's never a bad time to master doing your own manicure at home. Not only is there a real satisfaction to painting your own nails (and saving a little cash), but it can also have therapeutic benefits. Plus, the whole not-leaving-the-house thing is very appealing, without factoring in health and safety concerns. But even if you've become devoted to DIY manicures over the past two years, it can be hard to get the same results at home that you're used to at the salon.
Between chipping, warping, glops, bubbles, and smudging, there's a lot that can go wrong with a DIY mani. Zipping up your pants, changing the channel, or answering a text suddenly becomes a life-or-death situation—and don't even get us started on the risk of getting nail polish all over your couch. From prepping your nails to choosing the right shade, there's plenty of room for error. The stakes are even higher if you're attempting something fancy like a gel manicure, experimenting with fun nail art, or learning how to do a French manicure (here's our guide, by the way).
But it's not impossible to get Insta-worthy nails by yourself; in fact it's pretty simple to figure out how to do a manicure at home. A little practice, patience, and the right nail tools will take you far. To help ease your DIY worries, we had celebrity manicurists spill their best self-manicuring nail tips for how to paint your nails like a pro. Turns out, it's easier than we thought. All it takes is 10 simple steps. Follow along for a mani so good you'll have people asking where you got your nails done. Don't worry, your secret is safe with us.
Did you know you can shop right here, right now on Glamour? Hit select Buy Now buttons in this article to start building your cart. Once you’re ready to check out, complete your purchase without ever having to leave the article. Best part? There’s free shipping on all orders. Happy shopping!
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
-
1/20
Sally Hansen Strengthening Nail Polish Remover
To get a great manicure at home, do as the pros do by spending as much time on nail care as you do polishing them. That means starting with a good nail polish remover like Sally Hansen's. It quickly takes off all polish (even glitter) and has essential nutrients to help strengthen your nails and moisturize your cuticles. Even if you don't have polish on, you'll still want to run a cotton ball of remover over each nail to get rid of any oils or dirt that could warp your polish. Don't forget to wash your hands with soap and water after.
-
-
EntertainmentMiranda Derrick’s New Post May Be a Subtle Response to Dancing for the Devil
By Glamour
-
-
-
5/20
Flowery Cuticle Sticks
Prep cuticles with cuticle remover—make sure it's not an oil or a balm—to help dissolve dead skin and soften the area. Contrary to popular belief, cuticle oils and cuticle removers are not one and the same, nor can they be used interchangeably. Oils help moisturize, while removers act like an exfoliating treatment for your nail beds. Then push back gently with a cuticle stick. We love Flowery Birchwood Manicure Sticks' sleek updates on the basic orange stick, which are also the best for cleaning underneath nail tips, and highly recommend adding them to your at-home manicure kit. Your cuticles protect your nails from bacteria and keep them soft, so avoid cutting them.
-
-
-
EntertainmentMiranda Derrick’s New Post May Be a Subtle Response to Dancing for the Devil
By Glamour
-
-
-
-
EntertainmentMiranda Derrick’s New Post May Be a Subtle Response to Dancing for the Devil
By Glamour
-
-
-
9/20
Mario Badescu Rose Hips Nourishing Oil
Moisturize now to avoid smudging almost-dry nail polish later. A luxe, light alternative to hand cream that's also ideal for cuticle hydration: Mario Badescu Rose Hips Nourishing Oil, which manicurist Geraldine Holford used for Gigi Hadid's showstopping Met Gala manicure. Take the opportunity to give yourself a mini hand massage—just because you're not at a spa doesn't mean you can't relax for a minute. To finish, swipe each nail with nail polish remover to get rid of residue.
-
-
-
EntertainmentMiranda Derrick’s New Post May Be a Subtle Response to Dancing for the Devil
By Glamour
-
-
-
-
EntertainmentMiranda Derrick’s New Post May Be a Subtle Response to Dancing for the Devil
By Glamour
-
-
-
-
EntertainmentMiranda Derrick’s New Post May Be a Subtle Response to Dancing for the Devil
By Glamour
-
-
-
-
EntertainmentMiranda Derrick’s New Post May Be a Subtle Response to Dancing for the Devil
By Glamour
-
-
-
17/20
Zoya Naked Manicure Glossy Seal Top Coat
A topcoat protects your manicure from chipping and adds shine to nails—don't skip it, or you'll significantly shorten the lifespan of the paint job you just worked so hard on. It's especially crucial to lock in any cute nail designs you've attempted. A word of warning: Be careful when you put your topcoat on, since a messy application can ruin your entire manicure. “I see this all the time,” says manicurist Madeline Poole. “Women think, It's clear—you can't tell. But really, you can, once it dries.” The reason? Shrinkage. “Topcoats tighten as they dry, which is what can cause those little ridges if you don't put it on properly.” To give nails that truly mirror-like gleam you get at the nail salon, follow that up with a separate shine enhancer like Zoya Naked Manicure Glossy Seal Top Coat.
-
-
-
EntertainmentMiranda Derrick’s New Post May Be a Subtle Response to Dancing for the Devil
By Glamour
-
-
By Elizabeth Logan