Painting your nails at home can save money but takes practice.
What you’ll need:
- Nail file
- Buffer
- Cuticle pusher
- Cuticle nippers (optional)
- Acetone or non-acetone nail polish remover
- Base coat
- Top coat
- Cuticle oil
- Hand cream (optional)
- Nail polish
Steps:
- Prep your nails:
- Push back cuticles.
- Trim and file nails.
- Wipe nails with acetone or non-acetone remover.
- Apply base coat.
- Paint your nails:
- Use the three-stripe method: paint a stripe down the center, then one on each side.
- Apply thin layers and let them dry completely between coats.
- Use a clean-up brush for mistakes.
- Apply top coat.
Aftercare:
- Use cuticle oil daily.
- Wear gloves when doing chores.
- Avoid prolonged contact with water.
- Don’t pick at your polish.
Tips:
- Roll the nail polish bottle before using to avoid bubbles.
- Use a thin first coat of color to prevent streaking.
- Don’t be afraid to apply 3 thin coats for full coverage.
- A clean-up brush can help with mistakes, especially on your non-dominant hand.