Do it Yourself Manicures
First begin by shaping your nails.
Whether they are long or short, use a file! Trying to clip your own nails perfectly will not work out the way you expect it to...promise. Anywho, take your trusty nail file and file each nail horozontally aka straight across.
Now we need to get to those cuticles.
Cuticles are the narrow bands of skin extending from the nail wall onto the nail surface. To prevent them from becoming dry, we venture to our kitchen and grab some olive oil (you can really use any kind of cooking oil you like but I find that Extra Virgin Olive Oil works wonders). Rub a dot of olive oil onto your cuticles and allow to sit for a few minutes, then take your wooden stick and gently push the cuticles back towards your skin.
Sweep your entire nail with nail polish remover and wash your hands.
Grab your top coat and paint one coat on each nail. This polish drys very fast so you do not have to wait.
Now the fun begins...COLOR!!!
Pick your favorite nail polish color and apply two coats to each nail. *Do a thin coat at first then a normal coat. This will enhance the color on your nail.
This is the hard part - LET YOUR NAILS DRY!!!
Sit your little buns on the couch and watch TV. Don't touch anything. Oh, and ladies for the love of god, don't blow on your nails. Blowing wet nails creates bubbles, ew.
After your nails have completely dried, wait at least 30 minutes, then apply the top coat. Allow this to dry and you are done. The first few times may be hard, your skin may get painted as well, but you are saving alot of moolah.
The average stylish gal gets a manicure once a week, that's about $13 including tip. $13.00 x 4 weeks, $52.00 a month (suprising, huh?)
All of the supplies shown above you probably already have but if for some reason you don't own any, you will only have to spend about $15.00. All the supplies last months and you can spend that $52.00 on more important things like...shoes. ;)
SOURCE: http://www.examiner.com/x-10805-Hartford-Budget-Fashion-Examiner~y2009m5d24-Do-it-yourself-manicures