Nail Care for Prom: Manicures and Pedicures

When planning your prom, you will want to add to the list the care and preparation of your nails. Happy hands and happy feet are a must to complete a gorgeous pulled-together prom look. Whether you choose to have clean natural prom nails or polished nails for prom that complement, match, or contrast your prom dress, you can check out this advice from PromGirl on DIY manicures and pedicures for prom and tips on what to expect from a professional salon manicure or pedicure. Take a look at Pinterest and other social media sites, as well as magazines, for great ideas to fancy up your prom nails for the big event. Treat yourself at home or in a salon with a prom mani-pedi to further accessorize your total prom look.

What Can I Expect from a Professional Manicure and Pedicure for Prom?

Planning to get a professional manicure and pedicure for prom? Try to schedule your appointment for the day before (or day of, if time allows) the big event so that your nails for prom are fresh and chip-free! There are many options to choose from when you go to a salon for prom nails. Ladies with short nails that want long nails can have tips or gel products applied to add length. These can then be polished to perfection. There are plenty of colors from which to choose to have your prom nails match your dress. Professional technicians can pamper your hands and feet with scrubs, lotions, massages, and heated paraffin wax treatments. Once your hands and feet have been pampered, you are ready for the stylistic touches.

When picking a nail polish color, consider matching your dress, or you can make a bold statement with a contrasting color. Choose an ombre effect for multiple hues or colors, or select a polish that changes color with temperature for a new fun twist. A traditional french manicure can go from classic to contemporary by having a colored tip, and dress it up further by having a silver or gold line accent. For a unique look, ask about nail art. Currently very popular, nail art is a great way to add in fun details and colors, and a lot of nail technicians love getting creative with designs (on one or all of your nails). Be edgy with stripes or zig zags. Go extra fancy with a glittery finish or have jewels attached to your nails. Ask for ideas at the salon. Most salons will have pictures or fake nails polished with art to use for inspiration. Be creative, the options are endless!

How Do I Give Myself a Manicure for Prom?

If you are a do-it-yourself kind of girl, follow these DIY tips for an at-home prom manicure that will complement or match your prom outfit. You will need a well-lit, solid surface to set up your personal nail salon! Remember, nail polish will stain cloth and nail polish remover is harmful to furniture finishes. So, choose your space wisely! Be sure to have standard nail care tools handy:

• Nail polish remover
• Nail clipper
• Emery board
• Cuticle softener
• Liquid soap
• Hand lotion
• Astringent (witch hazel or rubbing alcohol)
• Base nail coat
• Nail polish
• Top coat
• Nail art materials (optional)

Here are the steps you should take:

1. Before you begin, remove any existing nail polish.
2. File your nails with an emery board; don’t use a clipper unless you are taking off a lot of length. Nails should be filed straight up at the sides, and not filed inward. The thinner your nail, the finer the emery board should be. Shape your nails oval, rounded, square, or pointed. Choose a shape that suits you and makes you feel pretty.
3. To soften cuticles and avoid hangnails, cuticle softener should be applied to the edges of the nails. Massage it in gently.
4. Soak your fingers in warm soapy water using a liquid detergent. If fingernails are stained, dissolve a tablet of denture cleanser in the water.
5. Use a cuticle pusher to push the nail back, and a cuticle cutter to trim as needed.
6. Massage moisturizer all over your hands.
7. Remove any excess oil from your nails with a cotton ball and an astringent (like witch hazel or rubbing alcohol). This is necessary for nail polish to go on smoothly without bubbling.
8. Apply a clear base coat and allow at least 10 minutes for it to dry before applying color.
9. Brush on one to two coats of polish for desired look.
10. Then, jazz up your prom nails with nail art, if desired. You can apply decals or jewels, or try using a thin nail art brush to apply a contrasting color in a line, swirl, or other creative design for your own work of art.
11. Finish with a protective top coat and be sure to allow plenty of drying time. Pro tip: If you are short on time, consider using a quick-drying polish and top coat.

How Do I Give Myself a Prom Pedicure at Home?

Well-pedicured feet for prom are happy feet. It’s important that your feet look and feel their best, especially if you’re wearing open-toe prom shoes. For your at-home pedicure, choose a well-lit location with a solid surface for your pampering. Remember, nail polish will stain cloth and nail polish remover is harmful to furniture finishes. So, choose your space wisely! You will need the following supplies:

• Nail polish remover
• Shower gel for soaking
• Foot file
• Toe separators (or simply cotton or tissues)
• Exfoliating scrub (sugar or salt scrubs)
• Lotion
• Astringent (witch hazel or rubbing alcohol)
• Nail polish
• Nail art supplies (optional and can be made to match any designs you have on your fingernails)

Follow the tips below for a salon-style prom pedicure in the comfort of your own home:

1. Before you begin, remove any existing nail polish.
2. Soak your feet in shower gel and water to soften them.
3. Pamper your feet with an exfoliating scrub and or a foot file, then rinse and massage with your favorite lotion.
4. Use toe separators for easier polishing. In a pinch, separate your toes with tissue or cotton.
5. File toenails into a square or rounded shape by running the file vertically over the nail. This will help to prevent future snags.
6. To prevent the nail polish from bubbling, remove any excess oil with a cotton ball and an astringent (like witch hazel or rubbing alcohol).
7. Apply a clear base coat and allow at least 10 minutes for drying. Necessary even on a pedicure, this step helps to prevent discoloring your nails and to make the polish color last longer.
8. Apply one to two coats of nail polish, allowing it to dry for a minimum of 10 minutes between coats.
9. Optional: Add your choice of nail art or decals. This is an excellent opportunity to coordinate with any designs chosen for your fingernails
10. Finally, apply a top coat, and allow polish to dry for 30 minutes (though some polishes have faster drying times).