This article was co-authored by Marta Nagorska. Marta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition.
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Do you want gorgeous nails, but can't fit a manicure into your busy schedule? You don't need to spend all that precious time to get awesome looking nails. You can become your own manicurist with just a little practice, and a couple quick tips.
Steps
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Pick the right polish. Not all polishes are created equal. Some have potentially harmful chemicals, and others just look downright bad. There are a number of things to keep in mind.
- Use a B3F, or “3 free” nail polish and base/top coat. These polishes contain no formaldehyde, DBP, or toluene, and are becoming a standard in the industry. They are safer than polishes that contain these chemicals.[1] [2]
- Glittery polish lasts longer.[3]
- When looking for white nail polish, find one that is thick and creamy, not opaque.
- Quick-dry nail polish can be convenient, but it tends to dry out your nails.[4]
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File your nails.[5] Position the file between your skin and your nail, and move it in short, sharp strokes in one direction. Never file back and forth.[6] [7] [8]Advertisement
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Mix the polish. Roll the nail polish container between your hands to mix the contents together. Do not shake it, as this creates bubbles that make application a challenge.[14]
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Use the 3-stroke application technique. This is the technique that many professionals use. Done well, it makes the process of applying nail polish efficient and neat.[19] [20]
- Put a drop of polish at the base of the nail, slightly above the cuticle.
- Push the drop back a bit with your brush until it is almost touching your cuticle, then pull it in a smooth, straight stroke to the tip of your nail.
- Move the brush back to where you started, just above your cuticle. In another smooth stroke, swipe it over the curve of the left side of your nail.
- Repeat the same process on the right side of your nail.
- Erase any mistakes you make with a small brush (an old lip brush, for example) dipped in nail polish remover.[21]
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Make sure your nails are dry before applying each new coat. Soak your fingertips in ice water to help your nails dry faster. Let them air dry for a couple minutes, then submerge them in ice water for a couple more. The cold will sting a bit, but your nails will dry much faster, enabling you to apply the next coat sooner. Dry them gently but thoroughly before applying a new coat.[22] [23] [24]
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Let your nails dry. No matter what you do to try to speed the process up, nail polish needs some time to dry. Exposing them to too much wear and tear before they're ready never ends well. There are a couple things you can do to speed things up.
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Fix any smudges. It's hard to be patient, and while soaking your nails in ice water does make the drying process faster, it always takes a while for freshly painted nails to truly set. Most people smudge their nails at some point in the drying process. If it happens to you, just wet a fingertip with your tongue, and gently smooth over the smudge. The moisture on your finger will help it slide easily, without leaving fingerprints.[27]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I paint my nails quickly?Marta NagorskaMarta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition.
Nail ArtistWork in thin coats of polish. Try doing 3 really thin coats instead of 2 thick coats for a smoother appearance. -
QuestionIs one coat of nail polish enough?Marta NagorskaMarta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition.
Nail ArtistOne coat of polish can be enough, but you still want to apply a base coat and top coat. -
QuestionWhat are some ways I can decorate my nails besides glitter polish?Cecilia FloresTop AnswererYou can use so many more finishes of polish than just glitter! Creme, matte, shimmer, metallic, holographic, pearl, and jelly. You can also use studs, charms, and rhinestones.
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References
- ↑ http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/27-nail-hacks-for-the-perfect-diy-manicure#.hqw4d4j8a
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5101/things-about-painting-your-nails-you-might-not-know
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5101/things-about-painting-your-nails-you-might-not-know
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5101/things-about-painting-your-nails-you-might-not-know
- ↑ Marta Nagorska. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.
- ↑ https://verilymag.com/2013/08/how-to-apply-nail-polish-like-a-pro
- ↑ http://youqueen.com/beauty/diy-beauty-treat-your-nails-like-a-pro-with-10-handy-tips
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5101/things-about-painting-your-nails-you-might-not-know
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5101/things-about-painting-your-nails-you-might-not-know
- ↑ http://youqueen.com/beauty/diy-beauty-treat-your-nails-like-a-pro-with-10-handy-tips
- ↑ Marta Nagorska. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.
- ↑ https://verilymag.com/2013/08/how-to-apply-nail-polish-like-a-pro
- ↑ http://youqueen.com/beauty/diy-beauty-treat-your-nails-like-a-pro-with-10-handy-tips
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5101/things-about-painting-your-nails-you-might-not-know
- ↑ Marta Nagorska. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/nails/tips/a19889/diy-professional-manicure
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5101/things-about-painting-your-nails-you-might-not-know
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5101/things-about-painting-your-nails-you-might-not-know
- ↑ http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/27-nail-hacks-for-the-perfect-diy-manicure#.hqw4d4j8a
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5101/things-about-painting-your-nails-you-might-not-know
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5101/things-about-painting-your-nails-you-might-not-know
- ↑ http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/27-nail-hacks-for-the-perfect-diy-manicure#.hqw4d4j8a
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/nails/tips/a19889/diy-professional-manicure
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5101/things-about-painting-your-nails-you-might-not-know
- ↑ http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/27-nail-hacks-for-the-perfect-diy-manicure#.hqw4d4j8a
- ↑ http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/27-nail-hacks-for-the-perfect-diy-manicure#.hqw4d4j8a
- ↑ http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/27-nail-hacks-for-the-perfect-diy-manicure#.hqw4d4j8a
- ↑ http://youqueen.com/beauty/diy-beauty-treat-your-nails-like-a-pro-with-10-handy-tips
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/nails/tips/a19889/diy-professional-manicure
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
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"I've always applied way more polish than I should and always wondered why was it taking so long to dry. Now I know why."..." more