How to Give Yourself a Good (And Cheap!) Manicure

The most important accessory that completes every outfit in your closet (other than a pair of Louboutins of course) is a good manicure. Whether you’re waving to someone, shaking their hand, or giving them a high-five, people are forced to look at your hands every day. This means a good manicure is vital for making an impression on someone. No one wants to look at bare chipped nails, but everyone loves a compliment on a fresh manicure.

Unfortunately, being a broke college student means you probably don’t have those 15 extra dollars a week to spend on a manicure from a cute little spa on Newbury Street. As someone who loves getting her nails done and is, honestly, a bit obsessive about her nails, I’ve taught myself a few tips and tricks to giving myself the perfect manicure almost identical to the one you’ll get in an over-priced spa. Follow these steps and you are sure to get endless compliments on your perfect nails.

Clean-Up- After you’ve taken off last weeks polish with nail polish remover, it’s time to clean up those nails. It’s important to always have clean cuticles.  Use a cuticle nipper to get rid of any problem spots. Then pick up a nail file and create the perfect shape for your nails. Whether you want them short, long, square, round, or the newly popular almond-shaped, give your manicure the shape that fits your personality best and that you’re most comfortable with. Use some lotion to soothe your hands and your cleanup process is over!

Base and Color- Although not totally necessary, applying a base coat will help your color stay in place longer and prevent chipping. Once you’ve applied your base, it’s time to choose your color. Your choice should depend on the season. As summer approaches you should probably stay away from the deep reds and move closer to the brighter hues. Mint green and coral are some perfection options for spring! Any brand of polish will work, but Essie, OPI, and Revlon are all personal favorites (all of which can be found at CVS). Give yourself two coats of whichever polish you choose. (You may need three if you’re using a light color.) Let your nails air dry for a minute before moving onto the next step.

Design- If you’re feeling daring, you can draw a cute design on an accent nail or even all your nails. Although the task seems difficult, it gets easier with practice. Give yourself some stripes, polka dots, a flower, or the perfect reverse French manicure. Make sure to look up a tutorial on how to create the design so you can ensure its perfection.

Top Coat- When you’re finally satisfied with what your nails look like, wait a minute and then apply a topcoat. Unlike a base coat, this is completely necessary for a good manicure. It prevents chipping and gives your nails the extra shine that makes them look like a professional manicure. Wait for them to dry for at least 10 minutes and you’re ready to go! You’ve created the perfect manicure and saved yourself the time and money of hitting up a spa.

If you still don’t think you’re cut out for a second job as a self-manicurist (it happens to the best of us), don’t worry there is still hope. Ask one of your friends to help you out! If they give themselves bi-weekly manicures like me, chances are they would jump on the chance to do someone else’s nails. If they don’t have the time to help you out, Her Campus will come to your rescue. Come to our Manicure Monday event on April 22 to get your nails done by some of the best manicurists at BU. The event is from 3:00-5:00pm in CAS 234 and will cost five dollars. Stop by for food, fun, and most importantly, a perfect manicure.