Paint Your Nails According to the Time Available

Painting nails can be done either quickly or in greater detail. Choose the method depending on the amount of time you have to spare and vary the process regularly, to ensure that the longer process is used to give your nails the best look possible.

Steps

  1. Decide how much time you have to paint your nails. Choose between either the short process or the long process, then choose the relevant method from below.
    • If you're aware that time is short or that you're likely to be interrupted by people or tasks, choose the fast polish addition. If you know you can block off some time to spend pampering yourself, choose the advanced, lengthier process.

Fast polish addition

This process will take about five minutes.

  1. Use a cotton ball and nail polish remover to remove any old nail polish and oils.
  2. Choose the color you want to use for your manicure.
  3. Start with the painting. Add a layer of a base coat. This helps to protect your natural nails from staining and anchor the polish onto your nail.
  4. Open the bottle of the colored polish. Wipe the side of the brush off using the neck of the bottle. Then lightly tap the other side of the brush on the neck to reduce the amount of polish on the brush.
  5. When painting, place your brush onto the nail a few millimeters away from your cuticle. Push your brush up a millimeter to neatly get close to your cuticle, without getting polish on your skin.
  6. Stroke the brush downwards to cover the entire middle portion of the nail.
  7. Add the next stroke. It will start where the first one did, but will curve to match the shape of your cuticle and then stroke downwards.
  8. Do the same thing on the other side.
  9. Add another coat. You will most likely need a second coat of polish to increase the opacity. This means that the color will be more solid.
  10. Done. You should have avoided getting polish on your skin or anywhere else other than on your nails.

Advanced, lengthier nail painting

This process will take about 15 to 20 minutes.

  1. Choose your color. Remember to consider how each color will look against your skin tone. Take notice of the brand as well. Most likely the cheaper the polish, the easier it will chip.
  2. Fill up a bowl of warm, soapy water. Soak your fingernails, not hands, in it for 3-5 minutes.
  3. Dry your hands. Use a cuticle stick to push back your cuticles. Do this gently, and make sure not to push them back too far.
  4. Get a nail filer. File your nails, either rounded or squared.
  5. Find a base coat. Apply a thin coat of base coat to your fingernails. This will prevent future chipping, as well as prevent the nail polish from sliding across your nails and getting on your skin.
  6. After the base coat is completely dry, retrieve your bottle of colored nail polish (make sure to roll it in your hands (don't shake it) to blend completely).
  7. Twist open the cap of the bottle and gently drag the brush against the side of the bottle, getting rid of excess paint.
  8. Place one side of the brush a little bit away from the cuticle. If you put it right against the cuticle, it will stick to your cuticle and when you go to take it off, there will be a thin line of nail polish left.
  9. Drag the polish toward the free edge of the nail in a thin coat. Make sure to do this in a fluid movement to prevent kinks in the polish.
  10. Continue until you've covered the entire nail, dipping and wiping the brush as needed.
  11. Continue following this stroke method on the rest of your nails, making sure each is completely dry before starting a new coat.
  12. Find a good top coat and gently brush it over your completely dry, painted nails.
  13. Enjoy your nails now that you're done. Your nails are looking good.



Tips

  • If you spill nail polish on carpet, mix nail polish remover with water and dip a cotton ball in it. Then rub on the carpet and it will come out. Nail polish remover melts nylon carpeting, so don't use it on that.
  • Make sure that each nail is dry before starting a new coat.
  • If you happen to get nail polish on your skin use nail polish remover or acetone to take it off.
  • Before adding a new layer of clear white polish, wait for one hand to dry and then do the other.
  • The thinner the coat the faster it dries.
  • Put Vaseline or petroleum jelly around your whole nail and if any excess polish is on your skin all you need to do is wipe off the Vaseline and the mess is all gone!
  • Make sure there's enough polish in the bottle before you start. Having done one hand and not being able to do another is annoying and pointless.
  • Put clear scotch tape around your nails so you don't have to worry about getting nail polish off your skin afterwards.
  • Do your nail polish in three strokes, down the middle, on the left, then on the right.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Soap
  • Cuticle stick
  • Nail polish
  • Towel
  • Top coat
  • Base coat
  • Bowl
  • File

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