DIY Manicures

Manicures and pedicures were once only considered a luxury for the rich. Women, as well as men, have now discovered the numerous benefits of these treatments. Manicures and pedicures help to improve the appearance of the hands, feet and nails. It helps prevent nail damage (peeling and splitting) and hangnails from forming. Dry, rough skin is deeply moisturized to keep it soft. Plus, massaging these parts of the body helps to relax you which contributes to decreasing stress. For your own Do It Yourself at-home manicure here's what you'll need:

• Bowl of warm water
• nail clippers
• cuticle or orangewood stick
• cuticle clippers (optional)
• nail file/emery board
• nail brush or toothbrush (optional)
• Zularis Soothing Milk Soak
• Zularis Hand and Foot Scrub
• Zularis Intensive Repair Cuticle Oil
• Zularis Hand and Body Rub
• Zularis Aloe and Shea Butter Lotion (optional)

For men: protective nail hardener or top coat (optional)

For women: base coat, colored nail polish and top coat (optional)

If you have protective nail hardener, clear top coat or colored polish on start by removing it with non acetone polish remover. Wash and dry hands quickly to remove traces of polish remover.

Use the nail clipper to trim your nails to desired length. File your nails before soaking to help reduce peeling, splitting or breaking your nails. ALWAYS FILE YOUR NAILS BEFORE SOAKING - WHEN THEY ARE DRY! File nails in one direction only starting at the edges and moving to the center.

Fill a small bowl with warm water. Add 1-2 scoops of Zularis Soothing Milk Soak and stir until dissolved. Soak each hand for about 5 minutes to help soften cuticles. Remove your hands from the water and gently push back your cuticles using the orangewood stick. If there are any hangnails you should carefully trim them with the cuticle clippers. Remember: do not clip into the cuticle. This tissue helps to protect your nails and should not be cut.

Apply a small amount of Zularis Hand and Body Rub. Gently scrub in a circular motion paying extra attention to the cuticle area. If you have a nail brush (or toothbrush) you can also brush your cuticles and under each nail at this time. Do not brush hard. Use soft strokes moving from the cuticle down to the tip of the nail. When finished rinse your hands under warm water to remove the excess sugar. Dry your hands with a clean towel.

Apply a drop of Intensive Repair Cuticle Oil to each cuticle and gently massage in. Apply a small amount of Zularis Hand and Body Rub or Aloe and Shea Butter Lotion to each hand to moisturize and protect them.

If applying nail hardener, clear top coat or colored polish, use a cotton ball or pad with a small amount of polish remover or alcohol on it to remove any lotion/body butter from each nail. This will allow the polish to adhere better. Apply your favorite base coat and allow to dry. Follow this with one or two coats of polish allowing each to dry before adding the next coat. Finish your manicure with a top coat. Allow this to dry and you're done!