Save time with an at-home manicure

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (AP) -- With a rush of holiday activities, who wants to waste time at the salon? Give yourself a manicure.
Tweezerman, which manufactures manicure equipment, and nail polish maker Essie suggest the following to make an at-home manicure last longer:
UClean nails with a nail brush with stiff bristles for cleaning underneath nails and softer bristles for hands and the tops of nails.
UFile nails using long, smooth strokes in one direction only. Do not file with a back-and-forth motion.
UMoisturize hands by soaking them in warm water or wrapping them in a warm wash cloth. After soaking, apply cuticle oil and use a heavy cream on your hands to repair dry skin.
UGently push back cuticles and trim hangnails with a stainless steel cuticle "nipper."
UYour nails are ready for polish now. Apply a base coat and let it dry before applying nail color. The base coat provides a smooth surface for nail color application.
UApply two coats of nail polish, let them dry and finish up with a top coat, which provides a protective top layer and adds a glossy sheen to the color. If you're in a hurry, add some drying drops, a product that shortens the drying time.