Q&A for How to Give Yourself a Manicure

Tighten the bottle really tightly, and then keep them out of direct sunlight. I keep all of my polishes in a plastic bag in my closet. That keeps the air out too, which can also cause a polish to dry out.

You want to work from the harshest to the softest grit. I typically recommend working in this order: 80, 100, 120, 180, then 200. That should give you a nice, smooth texture.

Warm water. Don't use acetone or anything like that if that's what you're thinking. You don't want to use anything outside of moisturize.

Try putting liquid school glue on the skin around your nails so that the nail polish won't get on your skin, then peel off the glue when you're done.

It is a powder that helps remove any base coat polish and any other polish and/or dirt and dry skin.

It's not necessary to do so, but you may do it to give your hands a fresh look.

You can, but let it settle for a long time before you use it again to get the bubbles to rise.

Yes. Trim your nails, use a multi-surfaced nail file, get the dirt out from under your nails, and then soak your nails in soapy water for a few minutes. Towel dry them, then use cuticle cream and moisturise your nails. Apply a clear coat of nail polish/strengthener and you're prepared to paint your nails.

When you want nails to have long lasting color! Gel polish typically lasts longer than regular polish and it will need to be removed with a specific gel polish remover.

If it's done properly, no. You should just buff it to remove the shiny surface. If you buff too hard or too long, or if you use a rough file, it could damage the layer of the nail. Use a gentle buffing block.

Take it off with nail polish remover. Do your base coat, polish and top coat again.

Apply a base coat and top coat, and be sure to prepare the nails properly. If your manicure is growing out, dont be afraid to top with glitter polish to make it last longer.

You can try Amazon, or consult Youtube for a video on how to shape your nails.

Use a good nail polish remover around them so that the nail polish gets removed completely. If its not nail polish, you might have dark skin around your nails. Most of the time it is natural, so don't worry. But if you must get rid of it, dab a cotton ball with lemon juice and rub it on your nails; lemon has lightening effects.

You don't have to shave your hands before giving yourself a manicure, but if the hair bothers you, you can easily shave it off.

Then take good care of your nails. File and shape them, cut them, push back and remove cuticles. Then apply a coat of clear polish or use a buffer to shine them.

Watch some youtube videos. Also, you need good practice so try drawing on small pieces of paper about the same size as your nail.

Leave it alone until it dries out by itself. A lot of people are tempted to pop them, but doing so can lead to infection and more pain.

Time. Eventually the polish will chip away, grow out, etc.

There are many articles on growing your nails! Try this one on growing your fingernails. The gray strips may be dirt from oil or mud. When washing the plates always wear gloves because if left the oil will sink in.

If you prefer absolutely perfect polish and medium to long nails, you'll need a professional manicure once a week. If you favor shorter nails for a more active lifestyle, and you can do polish touch-ups at home, you may need a professional manicure only every two weeks.

The nails look visibly shinier and smoother. There aren't as many ridges as there were before.

Yes. To ensure that both coats are worth the time and effort, let the first one dry completely before painting the second one. It will take time, but will also give beautiful results.

Not really, but nail buffers aren't very expensive so you can easily buy one at any drug store.

Yes, but it will take longer because the end is thinner. You can also try using another nail. Just try not to push your cuticles back too far or they might hurt or get infected.

Curvy nails aren't a bad thing! You can prevent it from having that curve by keeping your nails at a short length. If the curve really hurts you because the nail is digging into your skin, you can file the very side of your nail.

You can do your nails at any age.

I would recommend using Chapstick, Vaseline, nail oil, cuticle oil, or cuticle butter on your cuticles at least twice a day.

You can usually find them at your nearest drugstore like CVS or Walgreens.

Preferably, no. If you only have a top coat, I'd say that you can skip the base, or if you've only got a base, skip the top. Neither of these is absolutely necessary for a mani-pedi, and I'm not sure how using the same clear polish for both will work. Honestly, all you need is the color, and as long as you have that, you'll be okay.