For nine months, you shared your body with a baby - and you might still be right in the thick of it. Motherhood turns your world upside down, physically and mentally. What matters: taking care not just of your baby, but of yourself too. Doesn't always feel easy to feel good about yourself when you're caring for your little one around the clock? Every parent goes through that at some point. So take a bit of time for yourself now and then - let your partner enjoy the baby while you enjoy something else. Even something small, like a manicure at home. How? We'll walk you through it in four simple steps.
1. Remove old polish
The first step, just like at a nail salon: remove the old polish. Use a cotton pad, or for stubborn residue, a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover.
2. Trim and file
Time to trim: use nail clippers that work for both left- and right-handed use, so you can be more precise. Then file your nails, paying as little attention as possible to the sides - that's where a nail's strength lies. Always file in one direction, not too hard, to avoid splitting. Struggling with brittle nails? Try a cardboard-style emery board, which is gentler.
3. Soak and moisturise
Before you polish, soften your hands by soaking them briefly in lukewarm, soapy water. Then apply a good hand cream to your hands (and nails) and let it absorb well. Now comes the best part: massaging your fingers.
4. Polish
Your at-home manicure wouldn't be complete without a lovely coat of polish. Start with a clear base coat, follow with two coats of colour (a solid shade always works), and finish with a clear top coat.
Before you know it, you're ready to face the day again - just make sure this doesn't stay a one-off, and carve out this kind of time for yourself a little more often.