Get a manicure and pedicure without ever having to leave home
All you need to keep your DIY nail care game strong
We’re officially missing parlour didi – clicking tongue, disapproving glances, and all. On day 5 of the lockdown, your ragged cuticles decide to make an appearance – not the kind of company you were hoping for. Also, a nail care manual didn’t exactly feature in your list of lockdown essentials.
But before you launch an Instagram campaign to make chipped nail polish the next French manicure, we invited the experts at Jean Claude Biguine to break down the basics to ensure our nail care is on point.
Manicure 101: Up your nail care game while retaining moisture
Keeping your hands clean is Rule 1 of this timeline, but in the process you end up losing a lot of moisture. This manicure will not just scrub your hands clean, but also ensure they remain soft and supple.
Supplies:
- 1 big bowl
- Hot water
- Antiseptic liquid
- Rock salt
- Cotton
- Cotton towel
- Shampoo
- Nail cutter
- Nail file
- Orange stick (manicure tool used to push back cuticles and clean nails)
- Nail brush
- Nail polish remover
- Moisturiser
Directions:
- Remove nail polish using the nail polish remover and cotton.
- Cut, file and shape nails.
- Pour the hot water in a big bowl. Make sure the water temperature is hot, but also comfortable for you to soak your hands in. Add rock salt, shampoo and 1 cap of antiseptic liquid.
- Soak both your hands in the hot water, and leave them in for five to seven minutes.
- Take your hands out, wipe them using a cotton towel, and clean your nails using the orange stick.
- Apply a little moisturiser on the nail bed, and with the help of an orange stick, try to push back the cuticle. Then brush the nail bed and nails using a nail brush.
- Wipe your hands clean.
- Apply moisturiser on both your hands. Keep moisturising regularly, especially after washing your hands.
DIY pedicure: How to get rid of all the dead skin
Use nail care as an excuse to make up for the yoga classes you are missing. Get your stretches in by bending down and giving your feet some tender love and care.
Supplies:
- Tub to soak your feet
- Hot water
- Rock salt
- Cotton
- Cotton towels
- Shampoo
- Nail cutter
- Nail file
- Orange stick (manicure tool used to push back cuticles and clean nails)
- Cuticle pusher or a orange stick,
- Nail brush
- Foot scraper or pumice stone
- Nail polish remover
- Moisturiser
Description:
- Add hot water to the tub, ensure it’s comfortable for you to dip your feet into. Add rock salt, shampoo and a cap of antiseptic to it.
- Remove nail polish with the help of nail polish remover and cotton
- Cut and file nails.
- Soak your feet in the hot water for five to seven minutes.
- Take one foot out and start cleaning your nails with an orange stick.
- Apply some moisturiser on your nail beds, and push the cuticles back using an orange stick.
- Brush the cuticle area and nails using a nail brush.
- Put the foot back into the tub to soak some more while you repeat the steps for the other foot.
- Now, take a foot scraper or pumice stone and start scrapping and cleaning the heal area of the first foot. Do the same all over the sole of your foot. Apply pressure to ensure the hard dead skin is scraped off. Once you’re done scrubbing, brush the entire foot with a nail brush.
- Do the same for your other foot.
- Once you are done with the entire process, wipe your feet clean using a cotton towel.
- Apply moisturiser on your feet.
- Wear socks right after to lock in the moisture.