Manicures can get costly at a salon. They can range anywhere from $12-$20, while a bottle of nail polish is about $5 and can be used multiple times. So why not save some money and just do your nails from home?
In recent years there have been new ways to dress up your nails. First off, there is Shatter, which you can add on top of your initial color to create a “shattered glass” image. Next, Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects, which are nail strips that you can peel off and apply to your nails. Also there is now the ever popular magnetic nail polish, which creates a cool design on your nails by applying a magnet.  We are not limited to just a set color anymore and can do numerous things to make our nails look like they came right out of the salon!
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The first thing you want to do to create a professionally done look is to apply a base coat. The base coat is applied so that it eliminates the rough texture of your nails and creates a smooth base to work from. Sally Hansen’s base coat usually does the trick.
Next, you apply two coats of any nail color of your choosing. OPI, Essie and China Glaze are popular favorites because they don’t chip easily, leaving your nails flawless. In the winter and fall, darker shades are the trend, such as a deep red, silver, gold and neutrals. In the summer and spring, bright floral colors are in style along with sparkles.
Once you have your finished look, it is essential to add a clear coat on top. “In a Hurry Air Dry Top Coat,” is an excellent choice of clear polish that dries your nails fast without any smudging.
An at-home manicure usually lasts a good week or two and looks just like you stepped out of the salon without spending the extra money. So hit up your local drug store, pick out a few new colors, grab the base and top coats, and have yourself a manicure night with the girls! Â