There is nothing wrong with going to a nail salon now and then, but it can get quite expensive. If you’ve ever thought to yourself, I can do this myself, you can, and here is how.
The process of painting your nails should be relaxing and soothing, which is why you should take your time and give your self at least 20 to 30 minutes to do the process without the stress or rush.
The tools you will need are a nail polish remover, a nail file, a cuticle pusher, a buffer, base coat, polish of your choice, a cleanup brush, topcoat, and to finish cuticle serum or oil and hand cream.
To start, remove any previous nail polish you have on. Make sure there is no residue left, as it can mess up the polish you apply on top.
Use a file to shape your nails in the desired shape. Long strokes work the best and will prevent the damage of your nails. Try to mirror the shape of your cuticles to achieve natural-looking nails.
After filing, use a cuticle pusher to push your cuticles back gently. Then, you want to use a buffer to buff your nails. This will help remove any ridges or rough patches on your nails and will leave them smooth, so the polish applies more evenly.
To help dehydrate the nails and prep them for nail polish, you can apply a small amount of polish remover with a small brush. Make sure the remover you are using for this step is acetone-based and not oil-based because the acetone will dehydrate your nails, while oils will leave them greasy.
Apply the base coat to the nails and give it a couple of minutes to dry. The base coat will help the nail polish stick better and stay on for longer. After applying the base coat, you want to apply the desired nail polish. To revive a nail polish, try rolling it between your hands instead of shaking it. Apply a thin layer of polish and try to be as even and as precise as possible. To make your nails look longer, don’t apply nail polish to the ends of your nails. Using two or three thin coats is always better than one thick layer. Make sure you wait for each coat to dry properly.
After you’ve finished applying your nail polish and given it enough time to dry appropriately, use a small brush dipped in acetone to clean up any mistakes you have made.
Then, apply the topcoat to secure everything in place and make your nail polish last longer. To finish everything off, apply cuticle serum to your cuticles and hand cream to restore moisture to your skin.
