DIY Mani/Pedi

Try these do-it-yourself manicure and pedicure tips from Rachel Gower, founder of The Upper Hand salons in Houston, and Susan Russell, manicure specialist at Mania’s Hairstyling in Park Ridge, New Jersey.

File nails in a squared-oval shape to minimize trauma to fragile sides. Use an emery board instead of an abrasive metal file, and file in a single direction rather than sawing back and forth, which can weaken your nails’ inner structure. Try: Earth Therapeutics Smooth & Shape Emery Boards ($5, 3 pack; earththerapeutics.net).

Push back cuticles with an orangewood stick covered in cotton. Metal cuticle tools can scrape the nails, removing layers and weakening them. Cutting your cuticles hurts—and can cause the cuticle to grow back faster. One exception: hangnails. Trim cuticles to where the hangnail starts to prevent tearing.

Let nails breathe between polishes to keep them from turning yellow. Conventional brands OPI and Sally Hansen have removed the carcinogens toluene, formaldehyde, and phthalates from their formulations, but they still contain chemical solvents like acetate. Water-based polishes are solvent-free and offer solid staying power but can be tough to remove. (See Mind Your Manicures for our picks for natural nail products.)