How to Achieve a Salon-Quality Manicure at Home

Giving yourself a professional-looking manicure isn’t just about trimming and filing your nails. Your hands need as much attention as your nails do. With some basic tools and proper care, you can get salon-like results right from the comfort of your home—no polish required. Here’s how experts recommend you take care of your nails for a healthy, polished look, with or without color.

1. Start with a Clean Base
Begin by removing any old polish. Oil-based removers are gentler on your nails compared to acetone, which can dry them out. If you struggle with stained skin while removing dark colors, try applying cuticle oil around the nails before using the remover.

After your polish is removed, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. Contrary to salon tradition, soaking your hands in water isn’t necessary and can actually make your polish streak or take longer to dry.

Next, focus on your cuticles. Push them back gently for a more elongated nail bed, which also helps polish last longer. Soften the cuticles by applying cuticle remover and letting it sit for a minute before pushing them back with an orange stick wrapped in a small piece of cotton. Wipe away any residue, and only use cuticle clippers for hangnails. Leave cutting the actual cuticles to professionals unless absolutely necessary.

2. Trim and Shape
If your nails need length removed, start by clipping the tips. Cut the sides first, followed by the middle to keep them even. If you’re just shaping your nails, filing should suffice. Glass files are ideal because they don’t leave ragged edges and are easy to clean. Emery boards work too, but make sure they’re sanitized.

For natural nails, a grit level of 180 to 240 is best. File at a 45-degree angle using smooth, one-way strokes. Avoid sawing back and forth, which can cause peeling. If you prefer square nails, file the top straight across, then gently shape the sides upward. For a rounded shape, follow the curve of your fingertips.

3. Buff
Lightly buffing your nails can add a natural shine and help polish adhere better. Use a three-way buffer with varying levels of coarseness. Start with the roughest side to smooth any bumps, move to the medium side to even out the surface, and finish with the softest side for shine. Use horizontal motions across the nail to smooth vertical ridges, and don’t forget to polish the edges where your nails meet the skin.

4. Soften and Moisturize Your Hands
Exfoliate your hands twice a week to remove dead skin, then massage them with a rich moisturizer. Pay close attention to the cuticle area, as keeping it hydrated is key to healthy nails. Mix a pea-sized amount of hand cream with a couple of drops of vitamin E oil for an extra boost.

If you plan to apply polish, wipe excess moisture from your nails using a cotton round dipped in rubbing alcohol.

5. Polish Your Nails (If Desired)
If you prefer to keep your nails bare, you can enhance their natural look by applying a nourishing serum or oil for added shine. But if you’re going for color, here’s how to do it right:

Apply a base coat to protect your nails, especially if using light or sheer polish. Then, when applying your main color, wipe one side of the brush along the bottle’s neck to prevent excess polish from dripping. Paint in three strokes—one in the middle and one on each side—starting just above the cuticle. Keep layers thin to avoid clumping. For most polishes, two coats are ideal.

Illustration by Kendrah Smith

Finish with two layers of clear topcoat, paying extra attention to the nail tips, as this area is most prone to chipping. Whether you’re painting with your dominant or non-dominant hand, keep one hand steady while moving the other to avoid smudging.

6. Maintain Your Manicure
Keep your hands and nails hydrated by applying moisturizer regularly, and incorporate cuticle oil into your nightly routine. If your manicure starts losing its shine after a few days, apply a fresh layer of topcoat. And don’t forget: wearing gloves while doing dishes or cleaning will help protect your manicure and keep your hands soft.