Doing a Manicure at Home? 10 Easy Steps for Perfect DIY Nails

Longevity

Learning how to achieve a quality manicure at home can save time and money, but many people still turn to salon treatments for chip-free longevity. If you’re worried about chipping, “take a top coat and apply it horizontally to the edge of your nail after you’ve applied your last coat,” says celebrity nail artist Gina Edwards. “Let it dry and repeat again.”

Effects on nails

Trendy nail effects, like chrome finishes, can be applied just as easily at home as in the salon. To achieve Hailey Bieber’s iconic glazed donut look at home, “apply a long-lasting top coat and let it dry for four minutes,” says Edwards. “Then, while it’s still tacky, apply a chrome or holographic nail powder using a foam eyeshadow applicator.” Finish with another top coat.

Beetles Gel Polish Sliver Chrome Nail Powder

Nail health

A major benefit of DIY manicures: It’s much easier to preserve the integrity of your nails without the rigorous removal processes, chemicals, and UV exposure that accompany most salon services. “While gel manicures themselves are not inherently dangerous, misuse, overuse, or lack of proper protection can cause real problems,” says Mona Foad, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mona Dermatology. If your nails appear weak or brittle from professional treatments, switching to DIY manicures periodically can help them regain their strength while maintaining their polished look.