Tips For At Home Manicures

Some people are blessed with beautiful cuticles and nail shapes. However, many of us are not. We struggle with over grown cuticles that are dry and snag when the skin becomes overgrown. Cuticles bleed when the skin is pulled away from the nail bed. The skin around the cuticles become red and sore. Actually, this can be quite painful.

With a few of my at home manicures tips, I will share how I found to alleviate these problems with difficult cuticles.

(source)

I have found that manicures, you give yourself, in the luxury of your own home, are relaxing. So, when the children are napping, make time for yourself and give yourself a quick and relaxing beauty spa treatment.

The first tip is to soften your cuticles. I use warm water. Fill a small bowl with warm water and soak the cuticles. Approximately 10 minutes. I soak the cuticles until my fingers become wrinkled. For additional relaxation, add 2 or 3 drops of lavender oil to your warm water. 

I dry my fingers with a dry towel. As I dry my nails, I apply pressure and push back my cuticles with the towel. I do this step before I use the cuticle stick. The towel helps to push the skin back while the cuticles are still damp.

(source)

Next tip, I use an orange stick to push back my cuticles. I have difficult cuticles that are not only dry, but a thin cuticle skin grows over the nail bed. Because I have soaked the nails, this thin layer is easier to push back with the cuticle stick.

I use a variety of cuticle sticks. Not one is my favorite. But, I do tend to reach for the small orange stick when my cuticles are finished soaking. 

I push back the cuticles with the orange stick. This is easier when I take the time each week to give myself an at home manicure. But when I neglect the spa treatments, pushing back the cuticles may take a few minutes. When I finish with a cuticle, I then use the towel to push the cuticle bed back. In other words, I use the orange stick, then the towel to finish. Then, I move to the next finger. 

"I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and... I believe in miracles." Audrey Hepburn

Another tip, I have shared that my cuticles do snag, so I use a cuticle trimmer to remove excess dry cuticles. 

I use the brown trimmer on the extra cuticle that grows across the nail bed. I use the cuticle nipper for any skin that has pulled back from the cuticle.
(Note) Many suggest that cutting the cuticle is not healthy. And while I do agree with this statement, I do have to trim my cuticles from the nail bed. I do not cut into the fresh skin, I just trim any excess cuticle. If, by chance, I trim too much, I apply a small amount of Neosporin to the cut.

Again, I use the towel to push back the cuticle.

My last tip is to finish with a hand lotion. Rub into the cuticles. 

I try to apply lotion daily to my cuticles. Sometimes, I do forget, even though I have the lotion sitting next to my computer. 

I hope these tips help anyone struggling with difficult cuticles. These tips are what I found work for me. I know I will never have beautiful cuticles, but the manicures I give myself, do alleviate the redness and soreness that occurs when I neglect time for myself.

Now to you:

Please share any tips that you use for your at home manicures.