Yes, You Can Tackle An At-Home Manicure — And Here's How
The last several months have brought a lot of unexpected changes. On the one hand, the concept of vanity (in terms of your beauty and style) can seem superficial and inconsequential when compared to global issues we’re facing. But while it’s no substitute for doing the deeper work — like donating to anti-racism causes, speaking up against discrimination, and educating yourself as we gear up for the election — self-care can be a source of stress relief for many, so some pampering practices could be more powerful than you think. Enter the elusive at-home manicure.
In many places, safety precautions for COVID-19 still include the closure of spas and salons — and even in places where you can hit up your usual nail spot, you might not feel comfortable heading back in just yet. Staying at home is good news in terms of protecting yourself and others, but could be bad news for some of your usual personal care practices. For those who are used to gels, acrylics, or just straight up cuticle care and a flawless coat of polish from the pros, it could be intimidating to take on the task. Not to worry, Olive & June is here to the rescue.
The LA-based company, founded by Sarah Gibson Tuttle, earned recognition as the first affordable-yet-luxurious nail salon in town, but has since expanded to offer its own line of products, which have become even more helpful as customers have to take their beauty routines totally into their own hands (pun intended). Besides genius tools like its patented Poppy (a universal nail polish handle that makes painting practically foolproof) and totally inclusive kits, O&J has also rolled out tons of tutorials on Instagram — including a seven-day Mani Boot Camp.
That said, we polled you guys on Instagram to get your most pressing nail care questions, and asked Tuttle to give us some answers. So until you can safely head back into your go-to salon, follow her advice ahead to tackle the at-home manicure like a pro. After all, even a few moments of self-care can help make a summer of staying at home a whole lot more manageable.
Help! I had gels or acrylics. How can I safely remove them at home?
Proper removal of gels and acrylics at home requires time. I recommend removal while you're FaceTiming a friend or watching TV so you're not tempted to damage your nails by rushing or picking them off. You'll need a nail clipper, file, acetone, tin foil, and a hot towel is a bonus.
For gels, first gently file just to break the topcoat seal. The polish should no longer be shiny and you'll want to go over the full nail with your file. Then, place cotton balls soaked in acetone on your nails and wrap your fingertip tightly in tin foil. Ideally, soak until the gels are lifting off entirely which will take at least 15 to 20 minutes. We like to wrap a hot towel as well to expedite the soaking process. The most important piece is having the patience to allow the gels to lift before removing the cotton. If the gel still isn't popping off easily, just re-wrap the nail and let them soak longer.
The removal process for acrylics is similar but much longer. You will first need to clip the edge of the acrylic nail down before you file to properly break the seal. Then follow the same steps for gel removal. You'll also need to let your nails soak for closer to an hour until the acrylics are removing easily on their own.
Let's say I don’t want to let them breathe and I'm used to a salon mani: What are the essentials I need to create a good DIY version?
Step one: Prep is the key to a long-lasting mani. Don't wash your hands before you paint and dip nails in the remover pot for a clean, dehydrated surface for polish.
Step two: Paint thin coats. Polish works best (and lasts longer) when you apply thinner coats. Three thin coats is always better than two super thick ones.
Step three: Take your time. Go slowly and let each coat dry as long as you can. This is your moment.
The Olive & June Studio Box includes everything you need for a salon-quality manicure at-home. Check out our Mani 101 on IGTV for all of the helpful tips you need!
The Studio Box, $50
What's the biggest mistake people make trying to do their own nails? And how can it be stopped?
Trying to trim your own cuticles! I know, this may come as a shock but this is the way to go for perfect cuticles: Just gently push back your cuticle with your thumb in the shower or bath weekly and then use the buffer cube to gently buff back and forth along the edge of the cuticle to erase dry skin and smooth things out. With the proper tools and a quick tutorial you'll be a mani pro in a week. You can do it, I promise!
Should I be using non-toxic polish? If so, what are the pros?
Although it is extremely hard for nail polish to get through your nail plate, using clean ingredients where possible is a priority for us, even for that small chance. Our nail polish is free from seven harmful ingredients including DBP, Tolulene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, and Xylene. We worked really hard to create a formula that is as clean as possible without compromising on performance.
*Thumbnail image via @whatwouldmickeywear
