Love pretty nails but don’t want to go to a salon? Me too, friend. Luckily, you can give yourself a simple, polished-looking manicure at home in just a few steps.
Whether you’re using regular nail polish, Color Street, or press-on nails, good nail prep is always the place to start.
Get started
Start with clean, dry nails.
You don’t need to soak your nails before a manicure. Prolonged water exposure can contribute to splitting and other nail problems.
If you’ve just washed your hands, dry your nails thoroughly before you begin.
5 steps for an at-home manicure
1. Remove old polish
Start with a clean slate. Remove any old nail polish using your favorite nail polish remover.
I rotate between this one I’ve been using for about 15 years and this one from Color Street, but this one is also a nice, more economical option.
2. Clean up the cuticle area
If you use a cuticle remover, apply it according to the product directions and gently remove the softened, dead cuticle from the nail plate with a rubber cuticle pusher or an orange stick.
Please note: the cuticle is not the same thing as the skin fold at the base of your nail. The proximal nail fold is living skin that helps protect your nail, so don’t cut it or aggressively push it back.
3. Wash and dry
If you used cuticle remover, wash your nails according to the product directions and dry them completely.
You don’t need to soak your hands or nails. Just remove any remaining product and make sure your nails are dry before moving on.
4. Shape your nails
Use a fine-grit nail file to shape your nails however you like. File in one direction.
Skip aggressive buffing. Over-buffing can thin the natural nail. If your nails are overly oily, you can gently buff just enough to remove some of the shine from your nails.
5. Clean the nail surface
I typically use an alcohol prep pad or a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to remove any dust left behind from filing and any oils from the nail surface.
Polish or nah?
After those five steps, you’re ready to apply your manicure.
- Using Color Street? Apply your strips as normal.
- Using regular nail polish? Apply your favorite base coat, two coats of color and your favorite top coat, letting each coat dry completely before applying the next layer.
- Using press-on nails? Follow the application instructions for the specific press-ons and adhesive you’re using.
If you’re not applying anything right away or your manicure is finished – the polish or nail strips are fully dry or the press-on adhesive is set – apply cuticle oil to moisturize the skin around your nails.
One last nail tip
If your polish (including Color Street nail strips) develops a few small cracks after several days of wear, this can be normal. Your natural nails are flexible, and your polish isn’t. As your nails bend and move, the polish can sometimes crack with them. This doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong with your nails or the product.
And if you want more tips for keeping your nails and cuticles healthy, check out my guide to cuticle care next.
Last updated: August 2026
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