If your nails are long or uneven, cut and file them. Depending on the type of nails and fingers you have you will want to have different shapes. For example, if you have a short square finger, you will want a squared off type of nail. Make sure to file them when you are done and get rid of any excess stuff on your hands.

Soak your hands in warm water. Add some soothing oils or bubble bath if you want. Soak for a few minutes. Rinse off your hands and dry them off.

Put some cuticle oil, or some olive oil, on your cuticles. Using a cuticle stick, push back your cuticles. If you have any part that sticks out, cut it but don't cut the whole thing, just the part that sticks out.

Exfoliate with a body scrub or hand scrub. Rub it all over for a few minutes and then wash your hands. Make sure you get it all off.

Rub on some lotion and moisturizer. You can use any kind you want, but scents that are relaxing help to make the manicure process more enjoyable and obviously, help you to relax more.

Put nail polish on. If you don't want to add color, just use a clear coat or one that has nail strengthener in it. You need to keep those nails healthy. Put on one coat of nail polish. Brush down the middle of the nail, the bottom, and then both sides. It will give you a professional looking nail.

Let your nails dry and then add another coat. If you don't want another coat of color, add a clear protecting polish. There are lots with ones that will help repair nails or keep them from drying out. Use that kind if you want.

Wipe up any leftover nail polish that got onto your hands or skin. Use a q-tip for small spots or buy a nail polish remover pen. They have fine tips that you can use for getting really small areas.

Don't use color all the time. You need to let your nails breathe to keep them healthy or they will turn yellow. If they do turn yellow, buy some medicine immediately. If things get worse or not better, then go to the doctor. Yellow nails start to crack and get worse. You don't want that.

You can use your own recipe or mixture for the lotions and scrubs. Recipes are online or in magazine and books. If you see an ingredient that you don't recognize, check to see how much it is before you buy everything, because making your own can get expensive. Manicures are a great way to keep your hands looking great and doing them at home saves money and is a great way to relax and have fun.