To do nice manicure Housesit takes a lot of practice. An easy solution would be to go to a nail salon, but this is not always time or cost effective. I decided to talk to six professional nail artists for tips on how to get the best manicure at home.
Turns out I made some common mistakes that shortened the lifespan of my manic. And apparently there are a lot of home manicure tips out there. For instance, the trick where you dip freshly painted nails in ice water to dry quickly is a lie. Now I'm wondering what else I was doing wrong.
Here are nine ways to keep your nails looking flawless when you do your own manicure, according to nail experts.
1. Choose the right shape.
Despite all the trendy shapes (like coffin or stilettos), it turns out that rounded nails are the best way to avoid tearing and jamming. “The smooth shape makes it less likely to catch on something,” says Rita Remarque, Essie's leading teacher worldwide. "If you prefer square nails, just round off the edges on either side of the nail."
2. Be sure to polish the edges of your nails.
When you reach your final shape, it's important to make sure there's nothing hanging on the edge. “When the nails are slightly filed, it is important to use a nail buffer to remove any remaining nail debris from under the nail and from the sides of the nail along the cuticle line,” says Carly Narva, nail enthusiast and vice president. merchandising in the beauty salon Violet Grey. Another tip: make sure you file in one direction, especially on the sides, to ensure you don't damage the nail fibers.
3. Carefully prepare your nails before painting.
Most nail salons force you to soak before pushing through cuticles and filing, but pros say a dry manicure is more hygienic and helps polish last longer. The note says that soaking in water causes the nail to expand. Then, as it dries, the nail shrinks and your nail polish chips off. Instead, she says, rinse your nails with nail polish remover or alcohol before buffing.
Some salons use vinegar as a pre-manicure soak, but that too is illegal, according to nail editor Honey, who explains that the acid in vinegar can make your nails brittle. “I use vinegar on my feet to make sure there are no bacteria, but usually not on my hands. It is best to use a dry manicure,” she says.
4. Do not shake the nail polish bottle.
We've heard this advice time and time again, but many of us keep shaking our nail polish when it's peeling off and then wonder why we don't get a one-piece manicure. “I prefer to apply polish if I buff my nails right away,” explains Kiss celebrity manicurist Gina Edwards. Many bottles have a small metal ball inside to help stir the product. “Shaking creates bubbles in the polish, and you can see these if you apply polish soon after,” she says, adding that if you shake, you should wait an hour before polishing.
Honey uses a combination of rolls and shakes. “Some people say not to shake or roll because it causes blisters in the polish, but I use a combination of the two at the beginning of my manicure,” she explains. "By the time I'm ready to use color, the bubbles will settle."
5. Two thinner coats are better than one thick coat.
While it's tempting to enjoy one thick coat, don't. Varnish drops simply mean longer drying times and a higher risk of smearing. "Thick coats don't fit!" exclaims nail artist Gracie J. “Thin and even coats are best for creating a seamless look.”
Celebrity manicurist Sarah Chue takes this a little further. "Many thin coats allow the polish to dry in between - use a maximum of three coats of color," she says. “In general, one coat of base coat, two coats of color and one coat of top coat. Sometimes if you need more pigment or the color seems a little sheer, a third coat is acceptable.”
Remark agrees. “Almost any polish you find on the market is designed to buff in two coats, so use that as a rule of thumb for polishing at home,” she says, adding, “If the texture of the polish is clean, it will often look good even with just one coat.” . However, if it is an opaque color, at least two coats will be required.”
6. Apply the product in three strokes.
One move and you're gone? Not so fast. “A professional approach to filing is the middle, then the sides,” says Edwards. "However, as long as you completely cover the nail, that's really a comfortable level for the person."
7. Avoid heat when drying manica.
For drying, air dry or use cold air instead of hot air. “The heat actually prevents your polish from hardening. Cold air does the opposite,” Chue says. "[If you're in a hurry], try quick-drying drops after a few minutes of drying." For a home manicure, Narva likes to wait 5 to 10 minutes and apply one drop of Tenoverten ($18) non-toxic quick-drying drops to each nail, hands down, so that the drop covers the entire nail.
8. Fix bugs as soon as possible.
A little overdone with varnish? This is a quick fix. “Use a flat-edged stick, dip it in acetone, and run it over the eponychium after each nail,” explains Gracie J. (The eponychium is the cuticle area). "That way you won't have to wait until the end when the varnish is already dry in the crevices."
To remove stains, you can gently push the polish back into place with your finger before applying the top coat. “If it can’t be fixed, like if you have dents left, it’s best to just erase them and redo them,” adds Gracie J.
9. Make nail care a daily routine.
After all your hard work, a few good habits can make your manicure last longer. “I always recommend that my clients wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning the house,” shares Gracie J. “I also advise them to use cuticle oil. It helps keep the skin around the nails healthy and promotes healthy nail growth.”
