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In the run-up to the big day, it is more important than ever to keep those fingernails and tootsie-nails in as best shape as possible. Doing some home maintenance on them is an effortless, inexpensive and fun way to keep them looking good. It is also a great excuse for some self-pampering.

For a miraculous home manicure and a perfect pedicure, that will give you back the skip in your step, just follow our 5-easy-steps guide.

Just remember that these last few months before you get married is a sacred time, so it is essential to make it yours. Have fun with a pedicure and manicure (you can always tell "himself" that you're staying in to "wash your hair"!).

The Miracle Manicure

Step 1
Take the phone off the hook, put on some all-time great girlie music and get out all the magazines you can find. Have a friend around to join you - or else just enjoy this time for yourself. With all those wedding plans and worries to think of, you know you deserve it!
Step 2
Start preparing you hands and nails for their makeover by removing the old nail varnish with polish remover. Clip your nails into a round, square or square-oval shape. File your nails, ensuring you start at one edge and move across the top in one swift motion.
Step 3
Soak your fingernails in a bowl of warm water for about five minutes. Dry them off and use cuticle cream to soften cuticles, and a cuticle stick to push back your cuticles. Then massage hand cream into fingers. Wipe nails with a nail polish remover to rub off any residue.
Step 4
Apply a base coat to each nail and let it dry thoroughly for at least two minutes. The base coat is important as it helps to hold the nail varnish in place and makes it last longer.
Step 5
Apply varnish. The best method of doing this is applying one stroke on each side, and then one stroke down the middle. Wait until it dries and then put on another coat. Apply a third, only if needed. Finally, follow with a top coat of clear varnish.
Products and handy packs: Do a sweep at your nearest chemist for nail files, nail varnish remover, clippers, base coat and topcoat polishes. Other than that, a clutch of cotton wool and some moisturising cream, and you're ready to go. Recommended (and inexpensive) products to try are Vaseline Intensive Care Hand and Cutex Nail Polish Remover.

The Perfect Pedicure

Step 1
Prepare you feet by removing old polish, clip toenails with a toenail clipper, and file nails with an emery board to make the edges smooth. Be sure to file straight across the nail so there are no curved edges (curved edges may encourage ingrown toenails).
Step 2
Soak your feet in warm water for about ten minutes. Dry off and apply cuticle cream or oil to the cuticles and push back with a cuticle stick.
Step 3
Bring your toenails a shine with a nail buffer. This will encourage growth, increase circulation and will also make your toenails stronger.
Step 4
This is where the fun starts. If you can use a toe separator, without giggling or getting the tickles, you're lucky because they make painting toe nails so much less messy. Apply a base coat, let it dry and apply two more coats of your favourite coloured polish.
Step 5
Be sure to let nails dry thoroughly to avoid smudges. That means you have to wait a while after the treatment before you go trying on those wedding slippers and dancing around your bedroom!
Products and handy packs: You need basically the same as above for your pedicure (as well as some fun toe-separators), but there are some yummy pedicure packs you could also add. Recommended is the Body Shop kit, which includes a pumice foot scrub to exfoliate, a refreshing foot spray to stimulate and deodorise, and a peppermint foot lotion to cool and calm your feet. Dr Scholl's Pedicure Essentials is a range with a similar peppermint foot & leg lotion, as well as a sea salt scrub and foot bath salts.