Tutorial: DIY Manicure Part 1 |The Indian Make-up Diva

Here's something I haven't revealed to the world yet. I love nail polish. At one time, I would change the colour every day. After a tragic accident in September last year, I lost an entire nail (I have photos for all who have a strong stomach) and the bare nail bed on my left index finger (completely bare mind you; and might I remind you that I can post that pic if you'd like).

So now that my nail has almost healed, it still looks 'slightly vomitous' to quote my husband, here's a quick tutorial on a DIY manicure.

Tools Used:

Nail File according to the level of coarseness that you need
Lacrosse Cuticle Pusher. I like this infinitely more than cutting my cuticles
Finger Bowl. That's what I call it at least for soaking your fingers.
Cotton wads for removing nail polish

Products Used:

Sally Hanssen Gel Cuticle Remover
Softsoap hand soap
Non-Acetone Polish Remover from CVS. I prefer non-acetone but most people don't.
Yes to Carrots Feel the C Pampering Hand & Nail Spa
Essie Lemon-Guava Smoothie
Lavender essential oil (optional)
Nature's Gate Vitamin E oil

Pardon my horrific nail if you chance to see it.

Before Starting:

Squirt some hands soap into the finger bowl and fill with warm water. You can add a few drops of essential oils to this if you'd like.

Step 1:

Start off by drenching a cotton ball with nail polish remover and getting rid of all the old polish on your nails.

Step 2:

Soak your fingers in the finger bowl for five minutes or so.

Step 3:

Scrape some of the Yes to Carrots scrub out of the pot, mix with a little water, and exfoliate your hands.

Be sure to exfoliate around your nail as well. I like to do this as it keeps my cuticles soft and more pliable. This way I can just push them back and no need for cutting.

Step 4:

Dab your hands dry with a towlette or tissue.

Step 5:

Apply Sally Hanssen Gel Cuticle Remover to your cuticles and massage it in.

Step 6:

Push your cuticles back gently. I find that I get to 'shape' my cuticles a bit and they look neat and, well, manicured if I push along the sides and the cuticle rim.

Step 7:

Remove dirt from under the nail. I used the other side of the cuticle pusher as it has a blunt knife on the other side which can't even cut through butter. Feel free to use a nail brush or whatever you prefer for this task.

Step 8:

Shape your nails by filing them. If you need to cut them down a bit before filing them, you should do so and then proceed to shape them. I find that filing my nails doesn't work out as well if i use a left-to-right motion to shape them. Instead, I shape by filing in one direction.

Step 9: