Quick and Easy Nail Care

Written by April Reinhardt (last updated July 20, 2020)

If you've ever had a professional manicure or pedicure, you know how expensive it can be. While visiting a salon in preparation for a special event leaves you feeling pampered, it also costs time and money. Did you know that you can develop your own nail care routine at home for less time and a lot less money? All you need are a few simple tools available at any grocery or drugstore, a little know-how, and your nails will be healthy and look great in between those rare visits to the salon.

The tools you need for quick and easy nail are:

  • Cuticle oil
  • Q-Tip cotton swabs
  • Nail clippers
  • Nail file
  • Orange stick
  • Nail buffer

While many people pay great attention to their fingernails because they are seen more often than toenails, both sets of nails require the same attention to maintain health and hygiene. For fingernails, follow this ten-minute routine once weekly:

  1. Prepare your cuticles by applying a bit of cuticle oil with a Q-Tip on each cuticle.
  2. Using nail clippers, trim your nails straight across to whatever length you prefer.
  3. File your nails either oval or square, without filing into the sides of your nails.
  4. Since the cuticle oil you applied earlier has softened your cuticles, push back your cuticles gently with your orange stick flat against your nail.
  5. Buff your nails with your nail buffer with quick, even strokes using the rough side. Then, using the smooth side, buff your nails until they shine.
  6. Wash your hands thoroughly, making sure you remove all of the cuticle oil since it can be caustic and irritating to other skin areas.

Use hand cream each day, making sure to rub some into your cuticles to keep them supple and soft.

For quick and easy toenail care, follow this routine once weekly:

  1. Soak your feet in hot water for about 10 minutes, and then dry your toes thoroughly.
  2. Apply cuticle oil to your cuticles with a Q-Tip and massage into the cuticle area.
  3. Use your orange stick to gently push back the cuticle.
  4. Clip your nails with your nail clippers straight across and just above the tip of your toe. To avoid ingrown toenails, never clip your nails into the nail bed.
  5. File your toenails with your nail file, removing all rough edges.
  6. Wash your feet and toes with hot water and soap, and then dry them.
  7. Massage your feet and toes with moisturizing cream.

Whether you're a man or woman, following these quick and easy steps once weekly can ensure nail health.test

Author Bio

April Reinhardt

An admin­istrator for a mutual fund man­age­ment firm, April deals with the writ­ten word daily. She loves to write and plans to author a memoir in the near future. April attend­ed More­head State Uni­ver­sity to pursue a BA degree in Ele­men­tary Edu­ca­tion. ...

MORE FROM APRIL

Top Sexy Hairstyles

Asking your stylist to give you a Paris Hilton haircut will not make you look like Paris Hilton. Find a sexy hairstyle to ...

Discover More

Pruning Evergreens

Pruning evergreens takes quite a bit of time and patience, due to the nature of the spindly, twining branches. However, ...

Discover More

Preventing Ants from Killing a Lemon Tree

To prevent ants from climbing your lemon tree, use a few common substances you probably already have on hand. Ants hate ...

Discover More
More Beauty Tips

Removing Fingernail Ridges

If you are trying to get the look of glamorous or sophisticated natural nails, you may be foiled in your attempts by ...

Discover More

Choosing Artificial Nails

Artificial nails can be fun to wear and can be a fun way to let a piece of your personality shine. When choosing ...

Discover More

Ridged Fingernails

Just as the eyes are the window to the soul, a ridged fingernail can be an indicator of overall health. There are two ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 7 + 8?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)