A brand new manicure has the power to transform your whole look — but lets be honest, bi-weekly trip to the salon can seriously break your bank account. Luckily, achieving a flawless at-home manicure can be effortless with the right tools and a few pro-approved tricks. Whether you're looking for a minimalist, traditional manicure with neutral palettes or a maximalist, bold look with fun patterns and a brighter palette, this guide will take you through the perfect DIY manicure.

Must-Have Tools

A foundation of a salon-worthy manicure lies with selecting the right tools. Aside from the obvious nail polishes and protection layers, there are a few necessary tools you'll need to keep healthy nails:

• Nail Clippers and File: This duo is the second most important step in creating the perfect manicure. Clippers keep your nails neatly trimmed to your desired length while a file can be used to smooth and shape the edges.
• Cuticle Pusher and Nippers: These two are typically used to take care of your nail bed. A cuticle pusher can shape your nail bed while gently pushing back excess cuticle growth, while nippers help remove any excess hangnails or dry skin tags along the edge of your nails.
• Nail Buffer: Buffing your nails creates a smooth and even surface that leaves your nails with the perfect surface to apply your polish to. The polish will stick to your nail longer, and if using a clear polish, will allow for a natural shine for a natural nail.
• Polish Remover: Polish remover is one of the most useful tools in a manicure. Choosing the right polish remover makes all the difference in the world when maintaining your nail health. Acetone removers are best for gel polish while non-acetone removers keep your nails healthy without drying them out.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prep Your Nails: Start the process by getting rid of any old nail polish still lingering on your nails with a polish remover. Cut your nails with the clippers to your preferred length before styling them to the shape you want with your file. File horizontally for a squared look or file all around the edge of the nail for a rounder, almond look. ‍
2. Prep Your Cuticles: Soak your fingers in warm water for a few minutes to soften your cuticles to make it easier to shape them. Use the cuticle pusher to gently push against the edge of your skin, and use the nippers to clip any unwanted hangnails and leftover dry skin.
3. Buff and Cleanse: Use the buffer to go over each nail and buffer to create a smooth surface. Get rid of any extra nail dust by soaking a cotton pad in polish remover to prevent uneven polish appliance and chunky base layers.
4. Apply Base Coat: Apply a layer of base coat polish to each nail to protect your nail from color stains. A quality base coat will help ensure the color polish lasts longer.
5. Apply Nail Polish: Wait for your base layer to dry before adding two coats of your chosen nail polish colors. Allow each layer to dry completely before moving on to the next. Keep the layers thin to avoid chipping and present a smooth coat.
6. Apply Top Coat: Apply a layer of a high-quality top coat to seal your nail polish and protect against chipping. Use high-shine formulas for traditional manicures and matte finish formulas for a fresher look.
7. Dry, Dry, Dry: Allow your nails to sit for at least an hour to ensure they're fully dry.

Gel at Home

If you want to take your manicure a step further for an even longer-lasting look, gel nails might be better. A gel manicure can last for as long as two week or more depending on the type of polish you use. After applying the first three steps for a normal manicure, try this gel manicure routine instead:

1. Apply Base Coat: A gel base coat is the primary layer of a gel manicure to achieve the long-lasting look. Apply one layer and hold under a gel UV or LED lamp for 30-60 seconds or until you feel the layer harden.
2. Apply Gel Polish: Select your chosen gel color and apply a single layer in a thing coat. Hold your nails under the lamp until it hardens, and repeat for each layer you choose to do. Two to three layers typically achieve the best look, with any more layers risking a chunky, heavier nail.
3. Apply Top Coat: Lock in your gel polish with a top coat, similar to a regular manicure. You'll want to use a high-shine finish gel coat to lock in the natural shine of the gel polish. Hold under the lamp for up to one minute to dry.

Note: To remove your gel nails, gently buff the layer of your top coat to break the seal. Soak cotton pads in acetone and place them over your nails. Wrap each finger in aluminum foil to lock in the acetone and leave your nails to sit for about 15 minutes. The acetone should loosen the gel up enough for you to gently push them off your nails with a cuticle pusher.

Pro Tips

Now that the fun part is out of the way, it's time for the hard part: upkeep. Healthy nails are long-lasting nails, and long-lasting nails are happy nails. Hydration is the key to finalizing your manicure, whether with regular polish or with a gel manicure. Try using a cuticle oil to nourish the nail bed along the base of your nail. Rub a small amount along the nail bed to prevent dryness. You can use a hand cream on your fingers and hands to keep them soft and hydrated, too. Regular hydration helps prevent unnecessary breakage or damage. Don't forget to keep your nail polishes and nail removers stored in a safe, room-temperature space. You can use a small piece of cotton ball or a cotton swab and dip it in nail polish remover to get rid of extra nail polish on the skin along your nails.