by Susie Turk

Created on: October 29, 2010

So you're not exactly sure how to file your own nails, and you really can't see spending your hard earned cash at the local salon, right? You my friend, are NOT alone!

You see, whether male or female, filing and shaping your nails not only makes them look better, grow faster, and remain healthier, but having well manicured nails also makes you FEEL GREAT!

However, just how do you begin to get that professionally trimmed, manicured look at home? Well I'm here to tell you there is no need to fret because in no time at all you'll be a PRO just like me!

So if you're ready, then let's GO!

But, just where to begin...

Items you'll need:

Anti-bacterial Soap (preferably liquid)

Nail Brush

A few paper towels, old newspaper, or small towel

Sanitized Nail Clipper

Emery Board, or 180 or higher grit Nail File

Buffer Block

Trash Recepticle

Base Coat, Colored Polish, and Top Gloss/Coat (if desired)

Lotion

Cuticle Oil

409

Note * All supplies required are generally available at your local grocery or pharmacy retailer.

I suggest beginning by trimming your nails with a standard nail clipper, clipping your nails free edges to their desired length and shape.

Starting at the nails' free edge corner, clip corner to center then to corner again. Be sure to use sanitized clippers, and clip atop a piece of paper, a towel, paper towel or garbage can to keep it CLEAN. Nobody likes nail clipping on the floor now do they? Most importantly though, DO NOT clip to deeply or you may cause yourself injury and we wouldn't want that now would we?

Next, using a simple disposable Emery board, utilizing  the rough grit side for thicker, tougher nails, or the softer grit side for thin, or egg-shell nails, beginning by filing at the nails side-wall where the side-wall meets the corner, gently filing in a continuous motion from the nails' corner to the center of the nail plates free edge using single strokes only, rather than a see-sawing motion. A see sawing style motion may likely lead to snags and hangnails, and that's no good at all. OUCH!

Continue to repeat this process from the nails other corner, side-wall to center, until reaching your desired nail shape, then move on to the next nail until all nails have been manicured to your personal satisfaction.

Once all 10 digits nails have been satisfactorily trimmed and filed, buff as needed using a basic block buffer, and perfect you newly trimmed, filed, and now magically transformed nails as desired.

Next, clean up by discarding nail clippings, wiping up filing dust with an anti-bacterial sanitizer such as 409 or a bleach-water mixture and a paper towel, then move on, because well, it's just part of the job.

Oh yes! After cleaning up your work space remember to wash your hands, too.

I believe a liquid anti-bacterial soap, warm water and a nail brush work best. Dry your hands thoroughly and polish as desired, or not... The choice is yours and yours alone. So many choices!

Should you choose to apply polish, remember that a good base coat should always be applied first, and, a quality top gloss applied last will insure the least amount of chipping and polish peeling, as well as a longer lasting, pretty polish application.

Finish off by massaging a nice quality lotion onto the skin of your hands, and wrists . I recommend either OPI's AVOJUICE Skin Quencher, or OPI's Cappuccino Massage, which of course, is MY personal favorite.

Lastly, massage a bit of cuticle oil onto your cuticles and VIOLA! Beautifully cleaned, newly manicure nails for a well manicured NEW and IMPROVED, YOU!

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