10 Easy DIY Manicure Tips to Keep Your Nails Glamorous on a Budget

Achieving beautiful, salon-quality nails doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. With the help of Reddit beauty enthusiasts, you can create stunning DIY manicures right at home. Here’s a comprehensive guide featuring tips and tricks that are both budget-friendly and effective in giving you that glamorous look.

Tips for a Perfect DIY Manicure

• 1. Clean Edges: After painting your nails, use a clean-up brush dipped in acetone to tidy up around your cuticles. As one Redditor shared, “a clean-up brush dipped in acetone can elevate a manicure so much. Having clean edges turns an at-home mani into something you’d see from a salon. Also, practice. I know it’s cliché, but it’s true.” This helps to elevate the overall look and gives a neat finish to your manicure.
• 2. Start Slow with Your Non-Dominant Hand: “Start by using your non-dominant hand and paint from pinky to thumb. It makes a huge difference because it’ll make you go a lot slower!” said one Reddit user. This technique can help you focus on precision, especially when you’re getting the feel for DIY manicures.
• 3. Don’t Overdo Coverage: A helpful tip they added is to “wrap the tips, clean up edges, don’t worry about going to the edge of the nail, instead opt for less coverage and clean edges.” This approach makes your manicure look more refined and polished, while the extended base and top coats (just past the color) help lock it in for longer wear.
• 4. Smaller Brushes for More Control: “In addition to cleaning up your cuticles with acetone, using a smaller brush to paint your first coat helps a ton,” says one user. “If you just go ahead and buy a few small brushes at once, use one for clean-up and have a few for colors. Paint your first coat very thin and get around the edges easier with the small brush. Then, for the next coat, you can use the regular brush that comes with the bottle.” This tip works for both regular polish and gel, giving you more precision and ease while applying polish.

• 5. Cuticle Care: Keeping your cuticles neat is crucial for a polished, professional look. One Reddit user suggests, “Push back cuticles before you start (you can use a cuticle remover solution or just do it after a shower and use your thumbnails to push them back).” Healthy cuticles create a clean canvas for nail polish application and enhance the overall appearance.
• 6. Finish with Nail Oil: After your polish has cured or fully dried, finish your manicure with a nourishing nail oil. A Redditor added, “Finish off your mani with nail oil after your polish is cured or fully dry. It keeps your nails healthy and adds a nice shine.”

7. Using Press-Ons

Press-on nails are an affordable alternative to professional manicures, and with the right preparation, they can look just as polished and professional. Proper nail prep is crucial to ensure that your press-ons stay secure and last longer. Nail enthusiasts recommend cleaning your nails with acetone to remove oils and debris, followed by lightly buffing the surface.

One tip shared is, “Whenever I do press-ons, I clean my nails free of oils and debris with acetone and lightly buff my nail, so the tabs have something to stick to.” This step creates a rougher surface for the adhesive to bond with, improving the longevity of your press-ons.

For even better results, some enthusiasts take the extra step of prepping the press-ons themselves. “I have a little cuticle pusher thing that has a dull blade like end, and that’s what I use for the scoring,” explained one nail lover. “I create little cuts in all directions on the underside of the press on, making sure to get the entire surface where it will adhere to the adhesive strip.” This technique ensures that the press-ons adhere more securely, reducing the risk of lifting or peeling.

To further improve the longevity of your press-ons, try applying a bit of nail glue between the adhesive tab and the press-on or between the tab and your natural nail. This can help keep the nails in place longer and also makes it easier to reuse them if desired. Another tip from a nail enthusiast is to wear gloves while cleaning, as water can weaken the adhesive and cause the tabs to peel. With these simple yet effective tips, you can enjoy long-lasting, beautiful press-on nails without the high cost of salon visits.

Additional DIY manicure ideas

DIY nail art doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a bit of creativity, you can use household items to create stunning designs. Here are a few ideas:

• 8. Polka Dots: Use a toothpick or bobby pin to create playful dots on your nails.

• 9. Ombre Effect: Blend two colors with a makeup sponge for a trendy gradient look.

• 10. French Tips: A classic French manicure can be done at home with the help of sticky tape for clean, even lines.

Stay tuned! We’re about to reveal 10 nail designs that will completely transform your nails, proving glamorous style doesn’t have to be basic.