DIY Manicure – Beautiful Wedding Hands

With all eyes on your hands checking out your gorgeous wedding ring, you want your hands to look their best. Try this easy DIY manicure once a week.

Time Commitment: 20-30 minutes every week.

Tools: Nail file, clippers, pumice stone or foot file, orange stick, moisturiser, cuticle oil, nail polish, top and base coat, and nail polish remover.

Result: Well-cared for hands that people will notice. If you’re not a fan of nail polish or find it too high maintenance, you can still achieve a glossy finish by simply buffing your nails to a high shine. Buffed nails not only look glossy, they radiate health and vitality. But if you like to have fun with colour, go for it. There are few rules: Short nails are currently more fashionable than long: if your nail bed is large and square-shaped, a square nail shape will look better than rounded: petite hands suit rounded nails more than a square finish.

Step 1: File and shape your nails.

Step 2: Gently massage in a cuticle oil, then wash your nails and/or remove any oil or filing debris with nail polish remover.

Step 3: Soak your hands for two or three minutes in warm soapy water. Clean nails while they soak, then massage in your facial exfoliator. Rinse and pat dry.

Step 4: Either buff your nails with a special buffer (available from pharmacies – one that’s labelled ‘very fine grit’ is recommended) to eliminate any ridges, scratches or imperfections, or apply a base coat of nail polish to create shine. But don’t overdo the buffing: if you’re too rough you can damage your nails.

Step 5: Apply nail enamel –  matching toe and fingernail colours is a contemporary approach but ‘light on the fingers, dark on the toes’ is a more traditional look that has stood the test of time. Wait a few minutes before you apply a second coat of polish, then finish with a top coat. Allow to dry for an hour or two. Daily use of top coat will ensure your manicure lasts for up to a week.