How To Get The Perfect DIY Manicure At Home On A Budget

Saving Money

diy nails

The Perfect Manicure

Starts with a nail soak, a hand massage, a cup of coffee or tea followed by pampering and beautiful nail art.  This doesn’t have to change because you are tight on cash or doing life on a budget.  Get the perfect DIY nails at home.  

DIY Nails

Get the perfect set of nails, nail art included at home for cheap.  Checkout the step by step professional manicure instructions below.   Plus tips on how to do a simple manicure, gel nail and acrylic nails at home. 

Nails On A Budget

Doing life on a budget or being tight with your money doesn’t mean you have to skimp out on the things you love. If a monthly manicure or pedicure and beautiful nails is what you need than beautiful nails is what you shall get. 

Doing Your Nails At Home

Doing your nails yourself is really super simple and requires limited supplies. And it will save you loads of cash. Plus your nails can be beautifully designed with spa quality colors and nail polish.

How To Do A Manicure

A basic manicure will involve soaking your hand to soften the skin and cuticle area of the nail.  Shaping of the cuticle and nail. A hand massage and nail shaping.  Some manicures will include exfoliation, moisturizer and nail polish application.

How To Do Your Nails At Home

You can do both a simple manicure and a professional manicure at home with the right supplies. A basic manicure kit is required to help shape the nail and cuticle area. 

Soaking your nails and cuticle area can be done while enjoying a hot shower or bubble bath or by adding a few drops of lavender essential oils to warm water in a bowl and soaking your nails for a few minutes. 

Using the tools provided in your manicure kit you can reshape and trim your cuticles.  Cut and file your nails. 

Exfoliating and massaging lotion into your skin will help eliminate dry skin and help with nail growth and structure. 

Once your nails are shaped you can apply a nail polish base coat, the nail polish color of your choice and a top coat for protection. 

DIY Manicure On A Budget

Doing your nails on a budget. DIY nails at home can be done super cheap.  All you need is a simple manicure kit, lotion and nail polish. 

DIY Exfoliant

You can create a homemade exfoliant using sugar and a small amount of olive oil (or body wash) which you massage around your nail bed and hand to remove dry skin.  Wash with soap and water.  

If you don’t have lotion a small amount of coconut or olive oil can be used to moisturize your hands. 

Nail polish can be purchased cheap online or at your local drug or cosmetics store. 

diy at home nails

Step By Step Professional Manicure – Just Like The Spa

1. Clean your nails with nail polish remover and a cotton ball.  This will remove any stains and old nail polish.

2. Soak your hand in warm water.  Add a few drops of lavender essential oil for added moisture and relaxing scent. 

3. Trim and push back your cuticles using the tools in your manicure kit or a cuticle remover. Cuticle softener can be used to help soften and shape the cuticle. 

4. Clip file and buff your nails as required. A nail buffer and shine kit help remove nail spots and bring out the nature shine in your nails. 

5. Exfoliate your hands and wrist using a mild skin exfoliant like this sugar scrub. 

6. Massage lotion into your hand, fingers and wrist area in circular motions.  Ensure you massage the palm and finger areas to help relieve tension and stress. 

7. Wipe nail area with a clean cotton ball and nail polish remover to remove any lotion.

8. Apply a nail polish base coat, nail polish of choice in two coats and a nail polish top coat.

9. Relax and let your nails dry. 

At Home Manicure Tips

You can save a ton of money by DIY nails at home.  A basic manicure kit is all you need.  Olive oil or coconut oil can be used as a lotion and/or base for an exfoliant. 

Shaping your nails and touching up your nail polish once or twice a month will help them last longer.  Limit the amount of cuticle oil or cuticle cream you use as this helps promote nail growth and more frequent manicures. 

Ensure you allow time for your nail polish to dry before handling to many things. Nail polish will last for numerous applications as long as bottles are sealed and stored properly. 

Simple Manicure

A simple manicure is shaping your cuticles, cutting and filing your nails and applying nail polish. You could eliminate the nail polish and simple file and shape the nails for a quick manicure on the run. 

⭐Best Supplies For At Home Manicure

At Home Acrylic Nails

DIY acrylic nails can be done at home with a few supplies and some time.  Remember to follow the instruction on the given acrylic nail kit you are using. 

Gel Nail Polish At Home

Gel nail polish is a longer lasting nail polish applied with use of a UV light at most nail salons.  You can apply your own gel nail polish at home using a gel nail UV light dryer and proper gel nail polish. 

At Home DIY Nail Art

Nail art or nail designs are very popular especially around the holidays.  You can achieve basic to advanced nail art designs at home with the right nail art kit, some patience and time.  Checkout some of the nail art and design videos below for inspiration. 

Nail Art Videos

Other At Home DIY Projects:

Updated June 7, 2021

How To Get The Perfect DIY Manicure At Home On A Budget