Nobody likes to have boring nails. If you are a trendy person, you definitely want your nails to be too. What better way to express your personality than to apply a colorful and fun nail polish? You can create the effect you like best; for example, you could be daring with a classic red or convey all your cheerfulness with a nice bright yellow. How many things can you say with a natural green or a deep black! You can also combine nail polish with clothes or accessories. The result will be so exciting that you forget that applying nail polish alone can be a complicated and time-consuming process. Read the guide and follow the advice: they will be of great use to you.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting started
Step 1. Choose the nail polish of the color you prefer
- Choose one that reflects your mood or matches the clothes you are wearing. Darker colors (like purple, black, or dark red) make your nails appear smaller, so only choose them if you have long nails.
- Do not use old nail polishes as they may have become too thick or dried out and it would be difficult to apply them.
- If you really want to use an old one and it's dried out, try adding two drops of acetone to the bottle, close it and shake to mix them. You can also buy nail polish thinners from famous brands.
Step 2. Choose a clean area with a flat, well-lit surface for your manicure, such as a desk or kitchen table
Put some handkerchiefs under your hand so as not to dirty the table and place them in a well-ventilated place, because the vapors of the enamel are harmful to health.
Step 3. Prepare cotton balls, Q-tips, nail polish remover, nail clipper, file, cuticle stick and clear polish
Having everything on hand will speed up your manicure and reduce smudging.
Step 4. Remove the old nail polish
Dip a cotton ball into the acetone and press it on the nail for ten seconds, then rub it to remove the nail polish. Also soak a cotton swab in the acetone to remove any nail polish residue from the edges.
Even if you don't have polish on your nails, before applying a new coat, scrub your nails with a thin layer of nail polish remover to remove all natural oils from the skin. You will get a more uniform and lasting result
Step 5. Cut and / or file your nails
Use the nail clipper if your nails are too long or have an uneven edge and try to get them all the same length. Then use a file (glass ones work best) to shape and soften your nails. You can give them a rounded or square shape - it depends on your taste.
Use the file by rubbing it from the outside of the nail towards the center (do it for both outer sides of the nail), always going in the same direction, otherwise you could weaken and break the nail
Step 6. Push the cuticles back
Cuticles are small bits of skin at the bottom of each nail and can make your manicure look messy if you don't push them back before applying nail polish. It's simple to do: soak your nails in a bowl of hot water for a minute or two, dry them well, and use the cuticle stick to push them back.
Step 7. Rub the nail polish pack between your hands for thirty seconds to warm it up:
serves to mix the contents, moving the color that has settled on the bottom. Don't shake it. Simply rotating it will prevent the formation of air bubbles and the polish applied to the nails will appear smoother.
Part 2 of 3: Applying the Color
Step 1. Apply a layer of clear nail polish (a base coat is more effective
). Let it dry completely before proceeding further.
- You don't have to pay too much attention during this step - even if nail polish gets on your skin, no one will notice!
- There are two different types of nail polish bases you can buy: the smoothing one, which smooths the nail and provides a flat, matte surface on which to apply polish, and the strengthening one, which protects the nails and helps them grow stronger and healthier.. If you like, you can apply a layer of both!
Step 2. Keep your hand steady on the table:
press your hand to the surface of the table, spreading your fingers. Start from the index, moving along each finger to the little finger, then move your hand and place your thumb on the edge of the table to put the polish on it.
It doesn't matter which hand you start with - do as you please. When you use your left hand to apply the nail polish, you will tremble a little (right for left-handers); however, it is a matter of practice
Step 3. Open the colored nail polish and remove the excess from the brush, in order to have the right amount of nail polish to put on the nail (the right amount to put on you will find it by trying and trying again)
Look at the shape of the brush - many are round, but several brands are introducing a flat brush, which ensures easier application without messing around
Step 4. Put a drop of polish on the bottom of the nail, then pass the brush over it, directing it towards the center of the nail
Drop a drop of nail polish on this spot and cover the entire nail.
This technique is used by professionals. You will need to practice a little, but it is the best technique
Step 5. Use the three-stripe rule
Estheticians and beauty experts agree that this is the easiest and safest way to apply nail polish: apply a vertical stroke of color, right in the center, and then proceed first to the left and then to the right.
- You should have enough polish to cover the entire nail in one stroke; if you apply too much polish, your nails will take a lot longer to dry, and therefore you could damage them in the meantime.
- Always leave a space between the nails and the skin; you hardly notice it and you can avoid getting all your fingers dirty with nail polish.
Step 6. Let the first coat dry for about 5-10 minutes before applying another coat
Typically, you need to go over the nail polish two or three times. It is better to apply several thin layers instead of just one, but thick.
- To apply the second and third passes, use the same method used for the first.
- Putting on the nail polish can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, so you can watch TV or have a snack to let the time pass while you wait for the nail polish to dry.
Step 7. Apply a coat of clear nail polish to make it more durable and give your nail polish shine
Step 8. Remove any smudges once the polish has dried
To do this, dip a cotton swab in acetone, then use it on the edges of your nails to remove excess polish.
- Do it gently, otherwise you could ruin your manicure.
- Use a new cotton swab for each nail; if you always use the same, you could cause more damage than you should.
Part 3 of 3: Add the decorations
Step 1. Use the nail stickers:
they are very easy to apply and can be bought in any shape and color. Take the adhesive (in some cases you have to apply some glue) and press it on the nail for about 10-20 seconds for it to stick. Small adhesive glitter, like the ones shown in the image below, are the most popular and you can easily get them at the grocery store.
- You can help by using tweezers to prevent the adhesive from sticking to your fingers or falling off.
- Attach these stickers only after the polish has dried.
Step 2. Make your nails shiny
Sprinkle some glitter or white sugar on your nails while the clear polish is still wet. When the nail polish is dry, the glitter will be well fixed on the nail and will have a really nice effect!
Step 3. Try the nail art:
includes a wide range of techniques and designs, all of which require a steady hand and lots of practice! You can create polka dots, flowers, ladybugs and bows, using only nail polishes of different colors and a toothpick or you can try more creative and complex techniques for a bold and unique look.
Step 4. Make the "Color block":
use two or more glazes with contrasting colors to create geometric shapes for each nail. Don't use the nail polish brush, but use a smaller one for this job.
Step 5. Make the French:
it is a natural or peach colored enamel crowned with brilliant white tips. It's a sophisticated and elegant look that you can do at home with a little practice.
- First you need to do the white line, using normal white nail polish. Use a French manicure kit as they usually come with adhesive strips to apply to your nails, so you don't go wrong. You will need a very steady hand!
- Once the strips are dry, apply the natural colored nail polish and then put on a clear nail polish to protect it.
Step 6. Try other nail polish ideas
Now that you know how to put it, the possibilities are endless! Try painting the galaxy on your nails, be fabulous with leopard nails, or express yourself with smudges of nail polish. You can create anything you can think of!
Advice
- You can use a bobby pin to make dots and create fun designs according to your style!
- Put some petroleum jelly around your nail before you polish, so you can easily remove any polish from your skin.
- If you have brittle, cracking nails and polish is making them even more messy, buy a nail hardener. Applying it before the colored nail polish, you will get a better result.
- Put duct tape on the nail; it will prevent the polish from going all over the place.
- Start with the little finger, so there is no risk of touching the fresh nail polish while you do the other nails.
- When the nail polish has dried, to remove the excess color from your hands, wash them under lukewarm water, rubbing it off. It is a safe method and does not cause problems for your nails.
- Before you do it on yourself, try putting some nail polish on someone else - that way you can practice.
Warnings
- Always keep nail polish and other chemicals out of the reach of children.
- Remember to always close the bottles of nail polish: you will prevent them from drying out and protect your health.
- If you've forgotten to use a nail polish base and your nails turn yellow, one way to get rid of this color is to soak (without nail polish) in fresh lemon juice. Make sure you don't have any cuts on your nails, otherwise the wound will pinch you!
