You don’t need to heat the water on the stove. It should be comfortably warm to soak your hands in, so it’s fine to take it straight from the sink.

If your bowl isn’t large enough to soak both hands at once, it’s best to use two smaller bowls so you can still soak your hands at the same time. If you have to soak the hands separately, the water will likely cool by the time you’re ready to soak the second hand. Dump out the old water, and refill it with warm water. You can skip soaking your hands if you take a warm shower just before you do the manicure.

Be sure to choose a soft nail brush that won’t be too rough on the skin and nails.

It’s best not to use the pointed end of the manicure or orange stick when you’re cleaning your nails because you may hurt yourself. The slanted, rounded side usually works best.

Use a soap that’s meant for the hands so you don’t dry out your skin. Antibacterial soaps are generally not recommended as they are more drying, do not clean better than regular hand soaps, and contribute to bacterial resistance.

Make sure to use a good quality pair of clippers. A stainless steel pair is the best option, but check the feel of the pair too to ensure that there’s no risk of your thumb slipping off when you’re clipping. [1] X Research source Don’t trim your nails too short. That can expose the nail bed at the tip of your finger, which may remain sore until the nail grows back.

You usually have to allow the cuticle remover to sit on the cuticle for 30 seconds to 1 minute for the skin to be properly softened. Consult the package instructions to be sure. You can purchase cuticle remover at a drugstore or beauty supply store.

Never cut, trim, or snip your cuticles. They can easily become infected.

It typically takes only a couple of strokes to file the edge of your nails. File your nails in the same direction rather than going back and forth. That helps round out the shape of your nails for a neater look.

Pay attention to the instructions that come with your buffing block. One side is typically meant for buffing away ridges and smoothing the nails while another is meant for buffing shine into the nails. Use the proper side for your desired effect. You can buff your nails to give them a subtle shine that’s not as obvious as a shiny topcoat. However, some men don’t like the shiny look so be careful when buffing.

Massaging the hand cream into your skin also helps boost circulation to your fingers and hands.