So it’s been a couple of weeks since your last manicure. Normally you wouldn’t worry, but you’ve got that big romantic date tonight followed by that really important meeting with your boss in the morning.
What do you do when your nails are just a tad too long for a firm handshake or aren’t smooth enough to confidently caress your date’s hand? Oh, and to top it off you have no time to go and get a professional manicure done.
Sometimes doing your own manicure maintenance is a great way to lengthen the life of what you got done at the salon, as well as being a fast fix to keep your hands presentable. Here are a few simple tips to try when you need to do a quick DIY manicure:
Step 1: Tools. Let’s not talk about the eminent disaster using your teeth and paper scissors to trim your nails will cause. Pop into a Duane Reade or Walgreens for their Crafted Imports Men’s Grooming Kit, a $25 lifesaver. Not only do you get a decent pair of clippers and a metal nail file, but it also comes with nose scissors, a lint brush, a razor and a comb. It’s everything you’ll need to clean up your look in a pinch.
Step 2: Trimming. This step brings you back to the good ol’ days of clipping your own claws. The easiest way to do it? Follow the white nail line as best you can with a steady hand.
Step 3: Filing. Yes, guys file their nails too. File down the edges until they are rounded and neat. This prevents the creation of jagged edges, which stresses the nails. The pointed end of the file also serves as a pick to scrape out any leftover dirt that cutting the nails didn’t uncover.
Step 4: Rinse. There’s dirt and nail dust everywhere and we need to seal the job you just did, so run your hands under some water and dry them thoroughly.
Step 5: Moisturize. Nothing combats rugged hands like a lotion designed to tackle the guys. Jack Black’s $15 ‘Industrial Strength’ Hand Healer combats the toughest skin to go deep and not only softens hands but heals them as well, promoting even smoother skin in the future.
And you’re done! You’ve successfully thrown your manicure a life ring. Give yourself a pat on the back with your refreshed, just-like-new nails.
Be sure to check back here regularly for more reviews and tips on how guys are NAILING IT when it comes to their grooming!
