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This could just be me, but I think a manicure is the perfect way to treat myself. It’s a bit indulgent, it forces me to just sit and take a break, it makes me feel pretty, and I get to enjoy the results for about a week. And it’s a relatively inexpensive way to pamper myself. So when I need a little pick-me-up, or I just feel like I deserve a treat, I head to the nail salon.

While a single manicure might not be that much of a splurge, paying for one every week or so can add up. The good thing is that you can easily treat yourself to a home money-saving mani (pedi too!) and keep the money in your own pocket. Here are the simple steps to a beautiful and budget-friendly manicure:

• Remove any polish you might have from a previous manicure. I really love Target’s own brand of nail polish remover and it costs less than $1.00!
• If your nails are too long, trim with a clipper, then file the right way: do not saw back and forth because that will weaken your nail. Instead, move the file in one direction and your nails will look a lot better.
• Buff your nails lightly so that your polish will adhere better. You don’t need to spend a lot on a good nail file or buffer.
• Salon manicurists trim your cuticles, which is really not good at all. It will just create more of a cuticle problem and opens the risk for infection, so you’re better off just skipping this step altogether.
• Make sure your nails are clean and dry before you start polishing. You might want to go over them with a little nail polish remover again
• Use a good base coat because that will help even out the surface of your nails and help your polish last longer
• Finally… polish your nails with a color that makes you happy! Choose a color that complements your skin tone, but make sure it’s something that makes you feel good. Having your own  little collection of colors is another indulgence that’s well worth the small expense. Find out how to get free nail polish samples here. If you’re skilled with a nail polish brush you might even want to try some nail art!
• Make sure you finish with a top coat to give your manicure that glossy finish that looks so nice, and to help it last. You can apply a coat every few days to make it last longer. Don’t worry if you were a little sloppy- if you got some color on your skin, go over it with a Q-tip dipped in remover.

The last (and best) step, of course, is to sit and not do anything until your nails are dry! Just admire your beautiful handiwork (Hah! Great pun!) and relax for a few minutes. A DIY mani is a great way to look good and feel good about saving some money!

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