How to Do a Manicure or Pedicure That Will Last!

Tired of dropping $40.00 on a manicure or or pedicure? It's not hard and if you don't need a fancy paint job, here's a solution for you.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Begin with a nail file and a series of multi-stage buffers. For the final shine, I've found nothing better than the "Flash Shiner" available on Amazon or eBay for about $2.00.

Step 2: Wash Your Hands

The first step is to wash your hands. You want a nice clean slate to begin with.

Step 3: Trim Your Nails to Length

I recommend using a nail file to trim your nails. Filing seems to strengthen them over time. File your nails to the desired length and shape. For men, a compact 1/16" is acceptable. For women, the sky is the limit.

Step 4: Push Your Cuticles Back

Using the back end of the nail file, push your cuticles back toward the knuckle. This exposes more of the nail.

Step 5: Buff the Nails

Notice the ridges on this nail? Left unchecked, they will become quite unsightly and some people believe that they become a harbor for nail fungus.
If your nails are black, you have a disease! See a doctor! There is a cure.!

Step 6: Buff in Stages

First buff the ridges off the top of the nail and dress the edge with the buffer.
Next, going through each  progressively finer stage of the buffer, smooth the nail finer and finer. Just like finish sanding a really great paint job on a car.
Once you progress to the finest grit on the buffer, toss it and break out the Flash Shiner.
This 2-stage process will leave your nails looking like polished glass! And it will last for a month!