I do my own manicures. I use to go biweekly to do my nails in the salon but it was just to much when I see how easily it is to do it yourself. Do not get it twisted its a must that i go at least once a month for a pedicure.
i learned the best way to keep nails looking healthy is weekly at home manicures..i've had them done at salons and they file too thin and my nails would never grow...over and above that they wouldn't ever grow! i don't eat particularly well but i've found a way to grow nails out without the help of vitamins or anything and my nails would NEVER grow but this worked for me..i do this weekly but aim to do it bi-weekly (beginning and near end of the week)
heres what i do specifically....
-take off my nail polish with acetone remover (from both hands)
-fill up a small tupperware with very warm water and castile soap
-soak nails, use a nail brush, q-tip, or dip my hands very quickly into the water and castile mixture to remove dirt, grime, bacteria, and discoloration then i dry the surface of the nails
-file the tip of the nail to make sure its smooth and wont snag on anything
-and lightly file the surface if i have any potential splits on the edges of the nails- NEVER SEE-SAW over the nail either! can cause thinning of the nails and damage....and if you buff do so rarely because it also weakens nail surface- also don't re-shape nails too much by filling the tip....weakens as well..
-then i dip them in the water and castile mixture again and dry throughly
-then i paint the nails with OPI base polish, than some nude or crazy color of choice but I much perfer french manicure on my hands and feet.
-wave hands in the air to dry throughly before applying another coat
then once hands are dry, i apply aveeno lotion and I also put Vitamin E , on my actual nail and because it helps whiten my nail tips , now only if I can stop bitting my nails if my Pharmacy classes weren't so crazy...