https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:51:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882907 Thu, 02 May 2019 08:54:38 +0000 graceandjoy 2882907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePumps: Oh I totally re-dip all the time. When I see them do it at the salon it just seems so effortless on their part haha! Obviously they do it all day everyday... </p> <p>@LCTBQE: I have to check out Dior Nail Glow! I use something maybe similar, Sally Hanson Hard as Nails as like a stand alone top coat to help my nails get like a slight tint</p> <p>Everyone is recommending Essie gel setter too; I will need to try! I think spend $ on new nail polish will force to attempt to get better at painting my own nails! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882888 Thu, 02 May 2019 04:52:00 +0000 PurplePumps 2882888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found that a good base coat really helped me, I use Essie. And a top coat helped it last, i swear by Seche Vite. And with practice, figuring out how much polish you need to get coverage with out redipping, every time I have ti re dip it was always messy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882886 Thu, 02 May 2019 01:50:06 +0000 agold 2882886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just started doing my own nails because I have almost zero ability to get the nail salon since I had my second baby. </p> <p>I use Essie gel color and then the Essie gel top coat. I don’t use a base coat. I am really impressed and so happy with how my nails turn out! I cut my cuticles, file my nail and actually buff the nails or whatever it’s cslled a little bit. Ditto on making sure no lotion is on your nails. The Essie gel dries rather quick and it stays on for two weeks. I am an incessant hand washer and have no problem with chipping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882845 Wed, 01 May 2019 19:05:32 +0000 LCTBQE 2882845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to stop getting real manicures because I don't have time, and even though I'm precise and have been doing my own nails for years, I still don't mess around much with trying to go "nice", like with color and shaping and stuff, because I can't do an amazing job, so I just go for a clean look which I *am* capable of pulling off. My occupation is literally fine art painting and I still can't do a good job painting the nails on my right hand. </p> <p>I just keep my nails as short as possible, try to do a good job trimming cuticles and buffing/filing so it looks super clean, pretty much everything that @LadyDi: said re cuticle care, and most of the time I use Dior Nail Glow which I LOVE. --it's a clear coat that is a tiny bit tinted with pink and looks pretty and is almost impossible to fuck up.</p> <p>I also have Essie Gel Setter and I know a ton of people who swear by it, but it doesn't do very well just as a clear coat on its own, IMO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882827 Wed, 01 May 2019 15:56:12 +0000 LadyDi 2882827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: I use opi or gelish. I started off with cheaper polish and it looks cheap. I started putting polish or beauty supply gift cards on my Xmas list since they are pricey. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882824 Wed, 01 May 2019 15:37:55 +0000 lindseykaye 2882824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: Ooh good to know! Thanks :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882822 Wed, 01 May 2019 15:18:51 +0000 graceandjoy 2882822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BUNBUN: Ohh the moisturizer around nails is probably going to save all my sloppy work!! </p> <p>@LadyDi: I def will have to at least start trying the gel-like stuff if the consistency is easier than regular polish! I suck even painting with my dominant hand and always feel like I can't get a smooth coat on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882820 Wed, 01 May 2019 15:16:40 +0000 SweetCaroline 2882820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LadyDi: What brand gel polish do you recommend? They are so pricey I've been hesitant to pull the trigger. I have a light but the polish I was given is several years old and I need to start fresh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882819 Wed, 01 May 2019 15:15:14 +0000 SweetCaroline 2882819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindseykaye: The Essie Gel Couture line may advertise it requires a special base and top coat, but I use it with any base and the Essie top coat you recommend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882817 Wed, 01 May 2019 15:09:05 +0000 LadyDi 2882817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree cuticle care is key to making it look good. Soak your nails, push the cuticles back, use a cuticle remover or trim with cuticle scissors. I also keep my nails short because 1. I have a baby and I hate getting diaper cream under them and 2. I have an easier time maintaining the shape if they are short. </p> <p>I actually bought a light and do gel manicures on myself. I really struggle with getting regular nail polish to not look really sloppy (it's so hard painting with your non-dominant hand!) The gel polish is thicker and easier for me to work with. I know the light and curing isn't for everyone but the "gel-like" lines that they have out there are definitely worth a try.</p> <p>ETA: I loved getting manis and cut them out due to time but mostly budget reasons...but now that I do them at home I actually really enjoy it. I wait until the kids go to bed and throw on some trash tv while I do my nails. It's good me time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882816 Wed, 01 May 2019 14:59:30 +0000 BUNBUN 2882816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love a good manicure, but have mostly switched to doing my own to a) save money and b) avoid expensive nail salons with bad ventilation.<br /> Shape: If you like the shape you get from a pro, I would get a pro mani, have them make your nails a little shorter than usual, and work on maintaining that shape as they grow out. A good nail file (fine) makes all the difference.<br /> Polish: For making the polish last, preparation is key! If you soak your hands first (a lot of manicurists are now anti-soaking) or use moisturizer, make sure that your nails and cuticles are dry and oil-free before you apply polish. This is why the best manicurists will go over your nail with a little acetone/remover immediately before applying polish. I then use a sticky primer/base coat to help the polish last. Let the first coat dry before applying the next one and don't apply too thickly. Finish with a clear top coat.</p> <p>I find that consistency of the nail polish really helps me (not very steady hands) get a smooth finish. I like Essie and OPI brands. </p> <p>Another trick I have found to help keep polish off of my cuticles is to moisturize my hands, use a q-tip soaked in nailpolish remover to go over my nails, then apply primer and follow with color. Once everything is dry, I can usually scrape off any polish on my skin easily because of the moisturizer. I also don't worry about getting the color all the way to the sides of my nails. I favor light pinks, which are less obvious when I mess up or chip my polish. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882811 Wed, 01 May 2019 14:48:24 +0000 lindseykaye 2882811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been loving the Essie gel setter top coat. It dries really quickly and helps my at-home manicure last a lot longer than polish alone. You can use this topcoat over any polish I think.</p> <p>Note that this is different from the Essie Gel Coture line which requires a special color/base and top coat set and I have not tried that yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882808 Wed, 01 May 2019 14:18:46 +0000 Autumnmama79 2882808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't forget the soaking part! Soak in warm soapy water for a few mins beforehand to soften the cuticles and make them easier to push back or trim. I feel like that makes a difference in how the manicure looks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882806 Wed, 01 May 2019 14:09:58 +0000 nwm 2882806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i just bought a cuticle clipper a couple of months ago and it has really made an enormous difference in how professional i feel my home manicures look. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-home-manicures#post-2882804 Wed, 01 May 2019 14:06:10 +0000 graceandjoy 2882804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any tips/tricks, products you can't live without, video tutorials you swear by? I am horrible at painting my own nails so I've given up a long time ago, but want to give it a go again as it saves $ and I can do it on my own time (meaning after 9pm &amp; at home). </p>