5 Simple Steps to a Better DIY Manicure

As much as I love going to the nail salon for a little pampering, I don't manage to find the time as much as I would like. Typically my free time starts at about 9:30pm and oddly enough, I haven't found a place open that late. (Ridiculous, right?) As a result, I'm left to fend for myself when it comes to getting my nails did done. While I don't typically do anything fancy, I've found a few simple steps help make even the most basic of manicures turn out beautifully.

Step 1: Leave them alone.
As a general rule, try to leave your nails alone as much as possible. No picking, biting, obsessive filing, cuticle cutting, etc. Lay the foundation for lovely nails by giving yourself a great foundation to work with. The less you mess with them, the less maintenance they will require. Keep your hands well moisturized to prevent hangnails and cracked cuticles.

Step 2: Practice proper preparation. 
Moisturize your hands well before removing nail polish. This will help avoid having your skin stained with remover and color. Use a non-acetone polish remover and a cotton ball or swab to remove any polish on the nails. Use a nail file to shape as desired. Wash your hands (and nails) well with soap and water. Dry well. These clean, dry nails will absorb the polish best.

Step 3: Paint (way) inside the lines.
Apply one thin coat of polish. Be sure that your polish brush doesn't have any large drips coming down the sides. Remember that it's easier to add polish than to remove large globs. Start with a single dot just above your cuticle line. Paint one line upwards to the nail tip. From the same original dot, swipe a line to the left of the center. Follow the same process on the right. The three lines should blend into a solid u-shape that is inside your nail enough to not touch any part of your skin.

Step 4: Don't forget the tip!
After one coat of polish has been applied to the nail body, swipe polish along the top edge of each nail. This will help avoid chipping from the most vulnerable part of your nail. Finish with a second (and third, if desired) coat of polish in the same three-line pattern. The second coat should help blend your tip polish in with the nail body.

Step 5: Finish strong.
Clean up any stray polish spots with a q-tip dipped in nail polish remover. Use a clear top coat on the body and tips of your nails to seal in your color and make your polish last longer.

What are some of your favorite tricks to a perfect DIY manicure?