DIY Manicure

All the products mentioned are available at Rite Aid or CVS/Pharmacy or Drugstore.com

1. File your nails with a nail file. This is one of those products where it doesn't matter if it's a really cheap one. You can get one for 99¢.

2. Use those rectangular block-shaped nile-file like thing that you've all seen manicurists use on you (er, currently drawing a blank...will fix once I remember what they're called). To use: rub on your nails in order to scrape off the dead skin and prep them for the manicure. 

3. Paint a "base" clear coat on your nails. (I just use a clear bottle of Wet 'n' Wild nail polish, usually $1, but it's probably better if you use something better, like a Sally Hansen clear coater, because that lasts longer)

4. After the base coat dries, paint your nails with the color you've chosen. Don't worry if you get it on your skin, because it will come off during your next shower. Wait for it to dry before painting a second coat.

5. Paint a clear top coat...you should probably use the same thing you used for the base coat. 

You are finished! wait 5 minutes for it to dry and then another half hour or so for them to COMPLETELY dry. I recommend painting them, watching an episode of your favorite TV show on TV, and then taking a shower or something.