If you ask us, we'd all like to get our palms massaged and nails buffed with a relaxing manicure on the daily. But unless we're made of money, that isn't always possible. So on days you feel like pampering yourself without spending those big bucks, try a DIY manicure using trusted ingredients you can find in your kitchen cabinet. Who would have thought happy hands and healthy nails came this easy?
1. Lemon
Besides just dressing your salad, this tangy staple can come of use in a manicure as well! Cut a lemon into slices, press it into your hands and nails and let it sit for 15 minutes. Lemon is filled with citric acid which visibly brightens the hands with ease. Bonus: if you mix a squeeze of lemon with vinegar, it can be used as a natural nail polish remover!
2. Baking soda
The secret ingredient in every cake will also come to your rescue for your next DIY manicure. Baking soda is coarse yet not abrasive, which is great for banishing dead skin. Combine 2 tablespoons of it with a teaspoon of water, gently massage the paste on your hands and leave it to dry for 10 minutes. Then wash it off with warm water.
3. Green Tea
If you go through cups of green tea to cleanse your system, try using it in the same way for your hands too. It is rich in antioxidants which repairs skin discolouration and soothes irritation... Do you need any more reason to try it out? In a basin of warm water, mix in 2 tablespoons of loose green tea leaves and soak your hands in it for 20 minutes until the water is cold.
4. Honey
If your hands are looking for nourishment, you've come to the right place, honey. This sticky, sweet stuff is an incredible moisturiser which also has the ability to draw moisture in from the environment. So just imagine how smooth and soft it can leave your hands? Combine 2 tablespoons of honey with a pinch of turmeric and apply it over your hands. Let it sit for 20 minutes and wash away with warm water.
5. Almond oil
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The final step of any good manicure? The massage! At home, we suggest you turn to your almond oil bottle. Apply 2 tablespoons of it generously over your palms and fingers and massage it gently into every joint. Almond oil is replete with nourishing agents and Vitamin E which softens the skin and works hard to brighten its appearance.
