Cheap Home Manicure and Pedicure

I mentioned in an earlier post that manicures and pedicures were cut from my expenses because well, they’re expensive. This doesn’t mean that I chose jagged nails though, I just decided to do simple manicures and pedicures at home. Besides being able to sit at home in my pajamas, it saved me quite a bit of money.

Home Manicure Supplies

There are a few basic supplies you’ll need that don’t cost much and can be used over and over again. Here are the basics:

Nail Polish Remover and Cotton Balls- Obviously to remove old polish.

Hand Lotion- any kind will do, nothing fancy is necessary. Keep some of the little bottles to refill and carry in your purse or keep at work. Moisturized hands and fingers will keep them looking young.

Nail File- I like the ones that include buff and shine edges in case I don’t want or have time to do a full manicure. I suggest a stronger grade file for toes as sometimes they seem to be thicker than fingernails. Maybe it’s just my toes.

Nail Polish – Most manicures include a bottom clear coat, a nail polish, and a clear top coat. I’ve found that the bottom coat isn’t necessary unless you’re using a color of polish that will stain your nails, like Fire Engine Red. If you’re really in a hurry, the clear top coat isn’t necessary either, it does give the nails a nice shiny finish. It will also look more like a professional manicure with the top coat as well as seal in the polish so it’ll last longer.

Steps for the Home Manicure and Pedicure

1. Wash and dry hands. If you have time soak your fingers for a couple minutes to make the cuticles soft and easy to push down. This step can be done anytime you’re in the shower or bath also. I should also mention that all nail polish should be removed before you wash your hands.

2. File your fingernails, straight on the sides and across the top for square nails (which don’t break as quickly) or round the edges if you prefer the oval shape (which makes the nails look longer). Use the buffing edge or a buffing nail file to smooth out any ridges in the nails. This will help the polish go on easier and will look better.

3. Apply the polish, one stroke in the middle then one on each side. Let dry and apply a second coat of color and after that one has dried apply the top coat.

4. Lotion your hands after the polish is completely dry. If you put the lotion on before the polish, it could mix with the polish and become oily.

Tips for Pedicures:

1. If you’re giving yourself a home pedicure, soak your feet for a while. It’s a nice relaxer after work and will help loosen any dry or rough skin on the feet and toes. There are inexpensive buffers for the rough parts of your feet that are a good investment and will help keep off the dead skin.

2. If you have extremely dry skin on your feet, try soaking them in a bath of water and then applying vaseline to them before bed. Cover with warm socks and wash off in the morning.

Manicure and Pedicure Extras

If you feel like trying something different, there are cheap kits to do your own French manicures. Also consider trying the stencils or decals. There are rhinestones, flower stickers and all sorts of artsy things you can try for usually just a couple bucks. Way cheaper than going to the salon and you can usually buy a packet that will last a while.

There is also a number of types of quick dry sprays that you may want to buy just to keep on hand if you’re in a hurry. This isn’t a necessity though, I’ve found that most polishes dry relatively quickly.

Always keep a bottle of clear polish on hand. Clear nail polish has saved me many times and can be applied without giving yourself a full blown manicure. It will appear as though you do have perfectly manicured nails even if you don’t.

Stained nails can be freshened up by soaking them in peroxide for a while. Clean nails with a coat of clear nail polish can sometimes pass for a light French manicure.

My daughter and I actually do manicures and pedicures together on the weekends. It’s a fun and cheap activity that makes us feel pretty. Once you get into the habit of doing your own, you’ll see how much more relaxing it is at home…and save a ton of money.

Operation Where in the Heck is My Money Going? (WITHIMMG)
Day 9-30.00 gas, filled up the car. Actually cost 29.40 for some reason there was some kind of discount. I’ll stop at that gas station more often.
Day 10-2.00 juice and chips
5.00 stopped for fast food. I have an excuse but I’ll leave that out.