Try These Easy Home Manicure Hacks to Keep Nails Healthy & Shiny

Holly Grace
by Holly Grace
5 Materials
$5
25 Minutes
Easy

In this tutorial, I'll be sharing some home manicure hacks. Properly painted nails are not always an option. If you cook, garden, are a healthcare worker, artist, new mom, or if you need to give your nails a break from polish, there are ways to care for your nails so they look beautiful.


Here is a low-maintenance manicure that will leave your nails looking healthy, clean, and beautiful. I’ll also teach you how to make your DIY cuticle oil. Let’s get started!

Tools and materials:

  • Cuticle oil
  • Paintbrush (fine)
  • Cuticle pusher
  • Emery board
  • Clear nail polish/top coat
How to make your own DIY cuticle oil

DIY cuticle oil

  • Aloe vera oil
  • Vitamin E oil
  • Lavender oil
  • Tea tree oil
  • Bergamot oil
  • Tablespoon for measuring
  • Ramekin or small glass jar
  • Stirrer
Mixing the DIY cuticle oil ingredients

How to make your own DIY cuticle oil

Put all of these ingredients into a ramekin

  • 1 tablespoon of aloe vera oil
  • 4-5 drops each of pure vitamin E oil, lavender, tea tree, and bergamot oil. 


Mix with a wooden stick or stirrer to combine the oils. You can decant the remaining oil into a glass or ceramic container that has a cover. These oils are fantastic for the skin and have many health benefits.


Home manicure routine

Applying DIY cuticle oil with a paintbrush

1. Apply cuticle oil

If you’re applying my easy DIY cuticle oil, use a paintbrush to put it on. Save this paintbrush to use for your nails only!


Cuticle oil helps to increase the circulation around your nail, helping your nails to grow. This oil also helps to protect your cuticle and nails against trauma, making your nails look and feel better. 

Softening cuticles with DIY cuticle oil

Start by dipping the paintbrush into the oil and applying the bristles to an edge of the nail, working around the cuticle in a “U” shape and then spreading the oil around the nail.


The hardest part is waiting. Let the oil soak into your cuticles and nails for a good 5 to 8 minutes. It’s important to let the DIY cuticle oil sit for the recommended time to absorb properly and bring all the benefits to your nails, cuticles, and the surrounding skin.


The oil softens and primes the cuticles.

Pushing cuticles back with a cuticle pusher

2. Push your cuticles back

Use a clean cuticle pusher with the spoon shape hugging your nail and gently push your cuticles back. It’s super easy to do once the oil has softened them. Pushing them back doesn’t hurt your nail or skin and helps with the health and appearance of your nail.


Don’t cut your cuticles because doing so can lead to infections. The cuticle’s job is to protect your nail. When the skin is cut, your nail is left unprotected from bacteria and fungus.


If any loose skin does pop up or you have a hangnail, you can trim those off because they are no longer deeply attached and have been loosened by the oil. 


Once all the cuticles have been pushed back, gently rub each nail on the cuticle line, working in any residual oil.

Filing nails with an emery board

3. File your nails

File down the nail with an emery board file, so they’re all the same length and you can remove any scraggly or scratchy bits. Some nails do grow faster than others. Smooth those overachievers so all the nails are of equal length.

Applying lotion to hands

4. Lotion up

Follow up with your favorite hand lotion and rub it all over your hands, paying special attention to the tops of your hands.

Applying clear nail polish to nails

5. Apply clear nail polish

Use a clear polish top coat to strengthen your nails. You can just apply one coat to make your nails shiny.


Do this home manicure routine every 2 weeks to give your nails, cuticles, and skin on your hands this deluxe strengthening and beautifying treatment.

Home manicure hacks

Home manicure hacks

I hope you enjoyed this low-maintenance manicure tutorial. In under a half-hour, you can give your hands the self-care they deserve! 


Let me know what you think of these tips in the comments below.

Suggested materials:
  • Cuticle oil
  • Paintbrush (fine)
  • Cuticle pusher
See all materials

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