ORLY Home Manicure - Step by Step

Dry, sore, itchy hands!? We are all feeling the effects of the constant hand washing and hand gel application at this difficult time. We are all missing our favourite nail technician, but until we can get back to our nail saviours, ORLY are here to help treat yourself to a salon quality mani at-home with this simple ORLY step by step guide to the perfect at home manicure. It's super easy to do in the comfort of your own home.

Step 1: Remove any existing nail polish

Take some ORLY Genius Remover and saturate a cotton pad with it before applying the pad over the top of your natural nail and then whilst applying pressure pull the cotton pad down over the nail plate to remove any polish, oils or dirt from the nail. 

ORLY Genius Remover is perfect for removing nail varnish, gel polish and hybrids and contains acetone as well as a fantastic selection of conditioning agents including Eucalyptus, Peach and Green Tea extract to counter act any drying effect and leave your natural nails and cuticles in great condition.

Top Manicure Tip - for nail polish that has been on for quite a while or difficult to remove glitter nail polish, hold the pad with the ORLY Genius Remover over the top of the nail polish and apply pressure for 5 seconds before wiping down the nail plate as this allows the remover to penetrate through the nail polish and will speed up the removal process.

Step 2: File the nail

For better control, shape and file your nails when they are dry! This will allow you to be more precise in achieving your desired nail shape and length. Always file your nails in one direction and avoid a see-sawing motion. Filing in one direction helps prevent your nails from peeling, weakening and breaking of the nails free edge.

We suggest the ORLY Crystal File duo which we offer in their own little protective bag – They allow you to file the nail gently. Our crystal travel file has a pointed edge to clean under the nail to help remove debris before hand washing. Our crystal files can be used again and again and are easily sanitised with our ORLY Clean Prep sanitiser, or you can also sanitise by washing with soapy water or by simply pop them in the dishwasher.

Top Manicure Tip- Always make sure the nail files you are using are appropriate for use on natural nails. Our favourite nail file for manicures on natural nails is the ORLY Black Board File it is a 180 grit and this fast and durable nail file is perfect for natural nails and quickly and easily files nails to the desired shape whether it be almond shaped nails, stiletto or square nails. 

Step 3: Soak your hands and nails

You can create your own hand soak by applying 4-5 drops of your favouriteORLY Cuticle Oil to a small bowl of warm water and allow fingers and nails to soak for a few minutes. This is fantastic to help soften and condition the hands and cuticles.

Step 4: Cuticle care

Apply ORLY Cutique to the cuticle area and brush down the nail plate. This wonder product not only softens cuticles but also lifts off any dirt or debris from the nail plate to ensure your nail polish application lasts. Once you have applied ORLY Cutique allow it to work for 60 seconds and then take a ORLY Cuticle Pusher & Remover or orange wood stick and gently glide up the surface of the nail starting at the free edge until you reach the cuticle area then gently push back the cuticles. You should never apply a downward pressure onto the nail plate it should always just be a glide up the nail. Once you have finished pushing back the cuticles wash your hands for a few seconds under running water.

Top Manicure Tip  - ORLY Cutique is also a fantastic stain remover brilliant at removing unsightly fake tan, hair dye and food stains from the nail plate and cuticles.

Step 5: Moisturise your cuticles & nails

Apply a drop of ORLY Cuticle Oil + or ORLY Argan Cuticle Oil to every nail and massage in. Then apply ORLY Rich Renewal generously to hands and lower arms, massaging into skin until absorbed.

Top Manicure Tip - If your hands are really dry and in urgent need of moisture then apply the cuticle oil not only around the nails but also on top of fingers and hands then apply a very generous amount of hand cream over the top We suggest ORLY Rich Renewal or for pure luxury ORLY Argan hand crème. Do not rub it in, instead put hands into sandwich bags or wrap in cling film and then sit with your hands wrapped in a towel and put your feet up and enjoy some downtime. By doing this you will allow the oil and cream to penetrate deeper into the skin and you will get faster better results.

Step 6: Prepare nails for a pop of colour

Before applying any colour nail polish, you need to remove any oil and residue from the nail plate. We do this by ‘squeaking’ the nail. Apply some ORLY Genius remover to a cotton pad and then wipe over the surface of the nail ensuring all oil and residue is removed and once completely clean the nails should almost squeak!

Step 7: Apply a nail polish Basecoat

Why does your salon manicure last? – It’s simple, they apply a professional basecoat. Many people skip this stage and shouldn’t! A nail polish basecoat is used to secure nail polish to the nail for longer lasting wear and helps prevent yellowing and colour stains. ORLY Bonder is renowned in the industry for its incredible formulation. Dubbed as ‘double sided sticky tape’ ORLY Bonder’s unique rubberised formula grips nail polish to the nail surface for lasting adhesion and it also allows the polish to be flexible which helps prevent chipping.

Top Manicure Tip - Apply only one thin coat ORLY Bonder basecoat to each nail.

Step 8: Apply your ORLY Nail Polish

Now the tricky bit!!! Choosing which stunning ORLY colour to apply. Once you have made your decision you need to apply two thin coats. To get a professional looking manicure you ideally want to try and apply your polish in 3 sweeping strokes working from base to tip.

ORLY Nail Polish will help you do this as each of the bottles are fitted with the ORLY Genius Brush. A brush so good they even named it! This 600-count bristle brush will allow you to apply the polish effortlessly with no streaking and pulling. Plus, the brush is curved to fit the shape of the cuticle to help prevent unsightly flooding of the cuticles or side walls. Keep your nail polish application thin as this will help prevent peeling, chipping and flooding of the cuticles.

Top Manicure Tip - Make sure you cap the free edge with every layer of polish you apply including base and topcoat as this will help prevent chipping of the free edge.

Step 9: Nail Topcoat

Apply one coat or ORLY Polishield or your favourite ORLY topcoat. ORLY Polishield is the superhero of nail topcoats! This quick-drying, high shine, chip resistant topcoat contains UV filters to prevent nail colour from fading. The advanced polymer technology fuses together with the nail polish to create a powerful topcoat layer.

Top Manicure Tip - When applying your nail topcoat just apply a thin controlled amount making sure you cap the free edge.

Step 10: Admire your at-home mani

Sit back and admire your beautiful fresh manicure all done in the comfort of your own home. Take time to allow your nail polish to dry so you don’t cause any unnecessary smudging. If you are impatient then simply use ORLY Spritz Dry between layers to speed up the process.

Any questions follow us on Instagram @ORLYNAILSUK we will are always happy to help!

Love, Team ORLY x