If you’re a nail enthusiast, then there’s no doubt that at some point or another the internet has been your go-to for tutorials on how to paint nails. Whether it be with different colors and patterns from all around the world or various techniques involving polish bottles in artistic poses – we’ve seen everything! But what remains questionable is whether one can find their own unique way(s) of painting perfect fingers…
You may think that it is an easy task to create perfect nails at home, but the truth of the matter is there are many tricks and techniques needed in order for it to look properly.
We have put together a list of 5 tips that will help you create the perfect manicured nails in the comfort of your own home.
1. Get Everything You Will Need In One Place
One of the most difficult aspects to nail art is concentration. You will need products and space near your workstation for this particular type of project, so plan accordingly!
It is important to have the best tools to ensure a perfect manicure. Some of these include nail clippers, base coat, nail polish, nail file, cuticle stick, and clear topcoat, to mention a few. You will realize that you may need to include cotton swabs and a good quality nail polish remover just in case you make a mistake and need to rectify that. Focus on the quality of the products, especially the nail polish.
The best quality nail polish will give you the sleek and smooth finish that you’re going for. Choose from high-quality products, or else they’ll end up lumpy in appearance with an uneven coat of color on top before needing another one later down the road! It’s important to make sure you have all these things in place before starting. Grab a comfy chair and start prepping.
2. Prepping Your Nails
Taking care to prep your nails is important before applying any polish. The final stage in the process will depend on how well you prepare them for application, as this may affect both how fast they chip and their durability with respect to color coatings or topcoats that require extra work after a while.
Start by removing any nail polish if you are wearing one. Next, you should push back the cuticles, ensuring that you are gentle and exercising a lot of caution on this. It is best to first soak the cuticles in some warm water for some time to make the cuticle softer and easier to push back using your cuticle stick. Once that is done, trim and shape the nails to the desired shape you may want.
To get the best manicure possible, always file your nails properly and carefully. When filing wet or damp nails they can easily break. Once you are satisfied with the shape, quickly go over the nails with a bit of nail polish remover to clean any excess lotion and oils. Doing this will also help stick the polish to the nails better.
3. Apply A Base Coat First
Most people mistakenly apply polish over their natural nails with no preparation, and that is the first mistake. Not only will you waste time as soon as your colour starts chipping but it could also prevent that smooth finish that you want to create. Industry experts understand that the base coat sticks better to the nail compared to the actual polish.
Applying a base coat to your nails is an important step in maintaining the life of any polish. It not only helps prevent staining but also increases their chances for adhesion with other coats – so make sure you always use one!
Skipping this will almost certainly result in unintentional changes when applying subsequent layers; no one wants unexpected color shifts after all these hours spent working on perfecting your manicure.
4. Play Around With Designs And Colours
This is probably the part that most people look forward to – playing around with different colours and designs. However, there’s more than just picking out what you like; it takes some technique (especially if you are looking to create a chic and beautiful design). First, make sure each coat applied is thin-and-smooth so your polish can settle in seamlessly without bumps.
To make sure the paint is applied smoothly and evenly, you should allow each coat to dry before applying another. Just because they are thin does not automatically mean they will be perfect when put on too quickly; in fact, three coats will likely be required depending on the colour desired. The key here isn’t necessarily to hurry but rather to keep good drying time between coats- this ensures that no brushstrokes show through during the application process as well as ensuring a smooth professional finish.
Finish with the third stroke at the sides of the nails. These simple strokes ensure that your polish comes out looking cute and well defined. There will be no uneven lumps that make your work look unprofessional and rushed.
One pro tip that works magic is to leave a small gap towards the skin but be careful that it is a tiny gap, almost unnoticeable. This will leave you with cleaner nails that are neater with little after cleaning to be done.
5. Applying The Top Coat
The topcoat application is a crucial step in the nail polish process. It ensures that your nails will stay beautiful, even when worn without any additional coatings and it also helps protect them from chipping! The best thing about this layer: you only need one thin layer of topcoats for all week long shine-iness – so don’t be afraid to go heavy or light on coats depending how much protection needed.
Final Thought
Painting your nails in your favorite polish color does not have to be a tricky thing. Learn how to do it right and save yourself the stress of paying too much money for it. What’s more, this skill will allow you to change the nail polish color whenever you desire because you don’t have to pay for the service every time.