We are living in very weird times. It’s been a little more than a month since we’ve all been asked to practice social distancing and quarantine in our homes, which means the responsibility of grooming yourself has fallen completely into your hands—no more trips to the salon.
I’ve always been a huge proponent of at-home self-care (mostly because trips to the salon requires some serious cash), so here are a few ways you can treat yourself from the comfort of your home, from practicing nail art to trying on new face masks (the other kind). Throw on a robe, start a bath, and play that next episode of The Sopranos.
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Taking Care of Your Hands and Nails
You’re probably washing your hands excessively right now (you should be!). That might be drying out your skin though, so you should follow up with a moisturizer. Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula Hand Cream is a favorite among some WIRED staffers.
De-Stress With a Manicure
With all that extra time spent on your hands, don’t forget about your nails. There are a lot of pre-packaged manicure tool kits you can get to keep your nails looking clean—but you probably don’t need them. They often include a bunch of products you likely won’t use. Instead, get yourself the basic tools: clippers, a file, and a buffer.
I know it’s tempting to cut and push those cuticles, but you should refrain from it as you can introduce bacteria and get it infected. Try a cuticle oil and keep your hands moisturized to avoid cracking.
If you’re set on a manicure in a box, try one of the Olive and June Mani Kits. They offer polishes and the high-quality tools you need without all the extra junk in other kits. Depending on which option you go with, you’ll get a nail clipper, file, buffer, nail polish remover, thin nail brush, cuticle serum, polish, and universal polish bottle handle that helps keep you steady.
I’m a huge fan of the Green Bell G-1008 clippers because they’re sharp, sturdy, and will last a long time. The only downside: there’s no built-in tool for cleaning out under your nails if they get grimy. A simple nail brush will do the trick.
As far as files go, an emery board is the most common and they’re pretty cheap. These ones from Tropical Shine and Beauty Secrets should suffice. Professional nail techs recommend crystal or metal files since they are easier to clean, so if you want an upgrade pick, I like Sephora’s crystal nail file.
Lastly, buffers smooth your nails and make them shiny, which is a nice touch to an at-home manicure. I like this one from Tropical Shine, but try to only use it once a month so you don’t accidentally wear down your nails.
False Nail Fix
If you typically wear acrylic or other false nails, you might need to fill in the gap from where your nails have grown.
We really like Kiss’ fill kits if you feel comfortable doing your own nails (there are endless instructions you can follow along on YouTube). Unfortunately, they’re selling out fast so if you can’t find them online, try looking for them when you’re out shopping for other essentials like food and toilet paper. You can also try Kiss’ dip kits, which might be an easier interim solution.
