Similar to how going on a juice cleanse or eating clean can help detox your body, taking a break from nail polish can help your nails grow and recover between manicure appointments. Today we’re sharing our easy 5-step no-polish manicure that you can follow at home. Trust us, with this manicure you can go bare and still look great!

If you’re like us, the most reliable relationship you have in your life is the one you have with your manicurist. Unfortunately, this relationship can potentially be toxic for your nails. See, along with harsh weather conditions, irritating soaps, and constant hand use, repeat gel manicures can wreak havoc on your cuticles and nail bed.

For those who don’t even like nail polish (not us obviously), or often chip nails because of our jobs or lifestyle, this manicure should be a quintessential addition to your self-care Sunday ritual.

So, how do you make your nails look fab without getting yourself to the salon? Our latest Nail Health 101 guide will help you create an easy routine for keeping your nails in shape between manicures.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

Are nails healthier without polish?

For those of us who are up to date with the latest nail trends and get manicures like clockwork, I bet the thought of nail polish being toxic for you has never crossed your mind. If you’ve ever wondered; are nails healthier without polish? In general, the answer is yes — but that doesn’t mean you need to quit nail polish forever. Everything in life is better with moderation and the same holds true for getting your nails done.

How can I protect my nails without polish?

To protect nails without using polish it is generally recommended to use nourishing creams and oils suitable for your skin type. A fun fact about humans is that our bodies produce a natural sebum to protect our skin from dehydration. The hands, however – specifically the palms of our hands and soles of our feet – are the only places on our body that do not have sebaceous glands. We recommend creating a habit of putting on hand cream and cuticle oil.

Read More: Our Beauty Editors Spill Their All-Time Favorite Hand Creams

Supplies Needed:

• Hand lotion (We reviewed some of the best hand creams, these are our favorites)
• An orange cuticle stick or a metal one wrapped in cotton
• Nail file
• Clippers (This cheap nail clipper is loved by high-end salons)
• Buffing block
• Cuticle oil

5 Steps for a No-Polish Manicure:

1. Soak or Soften with moisturizing hand cream

Alas, bare nails aren’t nearly as effortless as one would think. The first step of our no-polish manicure is finding a good show to watch. Why? Because you’ll have to find an activity to do for the next 10 minutes that doesn’t require the use of your hands. If you’re not coming up with any ideas, Gilmore Girl reruns are always a good idea.

So this part of the process requires soaking your hands in warm water OR lathering your hands with your favorite hand cream. As far as hand creams for this step go, we love this ultra-rich creme from L’Occitane, the lavender one smells absolutely divine. You might want to mix in a little bit of olive oil to your cream (avocado oil or aloe vera also works). Leave for 5-10 minutes.

Another option is to soak your hands in warm water or milk for 5-10 minutes. For even better results, add a few drops of nourishing vitamin E oil to the water or milk.

If I’ve been doing a lot of handy work like gardening or cooking, I often add a few drops of tea tree oil because it’s a powerful antiseptic – it’ll kill off any pesky germs lurking underneath the nails. A good soak aids in reversing dryness and helps the cuticles from getting too raggedy. If you choose the ‘soak’ option make sure to apply hand cream after, not before.

Read More: Our Beauty Editors Spill Their All-Time Favorite Hand Creams

2. Push-back cuticles

Proceed with caution!!! Use a cuticle stick to gently push back your cuticles. Like gatekeepers around your nails, your cuticles seal out bacteria, so cutting them too deeply opens the door to infection. Don’t just use anything other than a dedicated cuticle stick. We recommend this stainless steel cuticle pusher or try these wooden ones from Amazon. Another reason for being careful when pushing back the cuticles is that it may cause serious damage to your nail plate. Next, clip any hangnails you may have with a cuticle trimmer. & just like that, you have cleaner-looking nails!

3. Shape Nails

Cut down your nails into a desired shape using a nail clipper. Nail clippers actually come in many different sizes, and shapes, and also vary by function. If you’ve ever wondered if you’re using the right type of nail clipper for your nails make sure to learn more about the different types of nail clippers here.

Read More: The 5 Best Nail Clippers Loved By Salon Experts

Next, comes shaping with a nail file. Generally, a rounded shape looks good on short nails. Shaping your nails so they’re straight across may lead to nail breakage later on so keep that in mind. Pro tip: remember to file in one direction instead of sawing back and forth—this helps to stop nails from breaking as quickly.

4. Buff Nails

Yes, you need a buffing block. Once you use a buffing block you will wonder why you’ve never used one before – that is, if you’ve never used a buffing block before. With a buffing block, your smooth and shiny nails will last for days. Buffing your nails will lead to less chipping in the long run and can help reduce the appearance of nail ridges. We prefer using a two-way buffer because it’s gentler on the nails and won’t harm the nail bed. Next, flip over to the smoother side to help achieve a reflective finish. We’re loving this Shape ‘N’ Buff Nail File & Buffer from Revlon.

5. Brush on Cuticle oil

Our last step is the easiest one, and it involves cuticle oil. Simply dab a cuticle oil onto your cuticles and massage it in. Cuticle oil helps cuticles (and nails) stay hydrated and strong. Cuticle oil also aids in preventing hangnails so keep one handy if you often find yourself cleaning dishes or doing laundry with harsh liquids. This cuticle oil has 120,000 ratings on Amazon and for good reason- it’s a great deal, all-natural, and contains a powerhouse of nourishing rich oils like safflower oil, cottonseed, vitamin E, & honey.

Read more: The 10 Best Cuticle Oils of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

How can I make my nails shiny naturally?

Rose Water:

Rose water is the ultimate beauty hack and has many uses. You can use rose water as a toner, add it to a warm bath, or even apply it after shaving to help reduce redness and bumps. Rose water keeps your nails looking shiny and healthy without the need for nail polish

Petroleum Jelly:

Apply petroleum jelly to your nails and watch what happens! The trick is to apply petroleum jelly after showering/bathing because that’s when your pores are open. It’ll trap moisture and keep your nails looking shiny and healthier longer.

Oils:

We use oils for everything, so why not our nails? Great natural oils that double as great cuticle oils are argan oil, almond oil, coconut oil, rosehip oil, and olive oil. These oils help your nails from becoming brittle and dry, plus your nails will look lustrous and shiny.

The Bottom Line 

Just because you’re on a relationship break with your manicurist doesn’t mean you should leave your nails alone. This 5-step no-polish manicure is used religiously by the Gloss Gurus and help your nails breathe and grow in between manicures.

How do you take care of your nails? Are you a nail polish or a natural girl?