How to Give Yourself a Salon Manicure at Home: Step-By-Step Guide

If you’re tired of spending a lot of money getting regular manicures at the salon, it might be time to try out a DIY manicure at home. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to get salon-worthy nails at home, and we’ve got just the expert to share all her advice on giving yourself a DIY manicure. Julie Kandalec is a celebrity manicurist and founder of Julie K Nail Academy, and knows a thing or two about nailing, well, the perfect at-home nails. 

Below, she guides us on how to give yourself a DIY manicure, as well as some product recommendations she likes for a flawless polish.  

How to give yourself a DIY manicure

Step 1: Remove old polish 

Tools you’ll need: Lint-free cotton rounds, acetone-based polish remover 

How-to: Saturate the lint-free rounds in the remover and remove all traces of polish. For stubborn polish, allow the cotton to sit on the nail for 10-20 seconds before swiping toward the tip

Step 2: Trim free edge 

Tools you’ll need: Nail clippers 

How-to: Trim the free edge with a pair of sharp, clean nail clippers. “I prefer to use toenail clippers, as they are stronger and easier to hold,” suggests Kandalec. 

Note: Kandalec suggests doing dry manicures, as it helps the polish adhere better than if the nails were expanded after soaking in water. 

Step 3: Push back cuticles 

Tools you’ll need: A glass nail stick from Germanikure 

How-to: Gently push back cuticles using a cuticle pusher. “I like this glass one because it exfoliates as well,” says Kandalec. “Use it in a circular motion for any resistant cuticle.” 

Step 4: Gently buff the free edge and surface 

Tools you’ll need: A fine grit buffer like, like the Maryton Nail Buffer Fine Grit Finishing Block

How-to: Gently run the dry buffer over the entire surface of the nail using moderate pressure, and on the free edge as well. According to Kandalec, it’s fine enough to smooth any major ridges to give you a perfect surface and smooth any snags on the free edge as well. 

Step 5: Remove dust

Tools you’ll need: Disposable mascara wand or nail brush 

How-to: Remove nail dust using a disposable nail brush or bamboo mascara wand. This is in lieu of soaking in or cleaning with water.

Step 6: Prep the nail for polish 

Tools you’ll need: 91% Isopropyl alcohol 

How-to: Swipe the nail plate with isopropyl alcohol to remove any remaining dust or oils. “Use a new mascara wand to clean under the nail and in the corners for hidden oils as well,” suggests Kandalec.  

Step 7: Apply base coat 

Tools you’ll need: Base coat, like the So Clingy by Lights Lacquer

How-to: Apply one thin coat to the nail, including the free edge. 

Step 8: Apply your color 

Tools you’ll need: Nail polish 

How-to: “Start 1/16th of an inch away from the cuticle using my ‘push and pull’ method,” explains Kandalec. “Push the brush to the cuticle area, allowing the bristles to fan out, then pull towards the tip.” Repeat on the left slides, then the right sides, depending on the nail and brush width. 

Step 9: Apply top coat 

Tools you’ll need: Top coat, like Seche Vive Gel Effect Top Coat Nail Polish 

How-to: After allowing the color to dry, swipe on a coat of the top coat. To prevent streaking, use very gentle pressure and use a bit more top coat than average. 

Step 9: Condition hands 

Tools you’ll need: Hand cream or cuticle oil 

How-to: Apply hand cream to hydrate the skin, like CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream

More recommendations 

1. GERMANIKURE 4pc Manicure Set in Black Suede Case ($92, amazon.com)

“Although this manicure set is pricey, I like that it will last years, and you will know the company doesn’t use child labor to make their tools,” explains Kandalec.

2. Kiss Salon X-Tend LED Soft Gel System ($26, ulta.com)

Kandalec recommends this Salon X-Tend kit from Kiss because it has a lamp in it and the tips are already decorated and ready to go.

3. Julie K Nail Artelier Beauty Bestie 2-piece Book Set ($44, julienailart.com)

“My nail art book comes with color theory and endless color combos, plus illustrations of nail art brushes and what they’re used for,” explains Kandalec. “You’ll also find pages to sketch your nail art in.” 

4. Artistro Miniature Paint Brushes Set ($10, amazon.com)

“I love these paint brushes to use for nail art,” says Kandalec. “Note, many sets on Amazon are just wood handles with paint, and one spot of acetone will ruin them. Look for handles that are acetone-resistant.”

5. CND The Cuticle Couple ($19, ulta.com)

If your cuticles are in need of some TLC, either in between your DIY manicures, or right after your mani, consider this duo from CND. The kit features the CND SolarOil and Cuticle Eraser to get beautiful-looking cuticles every time. 

6. Olive & June Nail Polish Mani Prep Set ($20, target.com)

This is a wonderful five-piece mani prep set from Olive & June includes everything you’ll need to create a perfect DIY manicure at home. You’ll find a nail file, nail buffer, nail clipper, clean-up brush, and a super cool nail polish remover pot.

7. Le Mini Macaron Nail Play! DIY Nail Art Set with Tweezers & Top Coat ($18, ulta.com)

This is another DIY nail kit that allows you to create fun art all over your nails. Thanks to pink polka dots, holographic stars, mini hearts, nail art stickers, pointed tweezers for easy application, and a top coat to seal everything in, this pick is great for the creative nail artist ready for some cutesy looks.