How to Paint Your Nails: 20 Nail-Painting Tips for the Best DIY Manicure

I will acknowledge that it has taken me a long time to get comfortable painting my own nails. Much like, yes, I am a beauty editor who writes about nail polish for a living, but that does not mean I came out of the womb with flawless nail-art skills. Although I usually like going to my nail salon, my budget is limiting visits there (I love you, New York City!). As such, I've utilized the time necessary to master the art of painting my own nails in order to save money. Below is a listing of my favorite products, resources, and hacks that I've learned along the way.

1. You only need three strokes

Before starting to polish your nails, keep in mind that you only need three strokes to dry your nails. You want the polish to do most of the work and spread as it goes on your nail, says celebrity nail artist Simcha Whitehill, or Miss Pop. Starting from the root of your nail, brush the brush to the left, to the right, and then down the middle. Voila!

2. Always use a base coat

The base coat can leave your nails with a colored coat, thus making your manicure last longer than expected. It also prevents sanding from staining your fingernails.

3. Don’t forget top coat

You might be surprised at how many people neglect to top coat their nails. Expert tip: Don't be one of them, as top coat is an easy way to prevent chips. Use a top coat (For example, Naked Manicure Glossy Seal or No Chips Ahead Top Coat by Essie), and paint it completely up to the tip of your nails to lock in your polish.

4. Clean up your edges

When you're painting in the portrait style, you may have trouble, as you may keep away from outlining the edges of the lines. Whitehill advises you to use the side of an old lip brush dipped in nail polish remover to take care of this problem, as long as the nail polish you're utilizing is old.

5. Find the right white

So you want to recreate the cool ass white manicure you saw on Instagram. Before you choose your shade, make sure the formula is thick and appropriate to avoid it going on too sheer or streaky. If you aren t sure how opaque the shade is by looking at the bottle, take the brush and wipe it against the inside of the cap.

6. Skip the quick-dry polish

I believe a fast-drying nail polish is often recommended. Although the formulas are normally harsh, remember that they'll undermine the health of your nails. In my opinion, healthy nails and all other things, then you should take full advantage of your drying time by queuing up Netflix and cracking open a bottle of wine.

7. Use cuticle oil religiously

An easy way to seem like you just came out of the salon is to use cuticle oil, which instantly hydrates your nails, according to Whitehill. Apply the oil over your entire nail after you ve painted it in the event that you accidentally hit your fists against something, the oil provides some slip, so more nails are saved from nicking.

8. Dry with cold water

All right, bear with me. Putting your hands under cold water or dipping your fingertips into cold water for a minute or two helps your polish dry faster. So, fill up a small bowl with cold water and kick back and literally chill out.

9. Ground your neon polish

Nail polish that's neon is undoubtedly in right now, but it's not easy to make it look salon worthy. To create your neon polish look even brighter and better, be sure to use an opaque white base. Neon nails look a little thin at first, so a solid white base will help your polish look fuller and thicker.

10. Thin out your polish

You know that thick and gloopy nail polish that's sitting in your bathroom cabinet? It's actually salvageable. Stop by your local beauty store to purchase nail polish thinner to add a few drops to any nail polish that's too thick.

11. Use only three coats

Resist the temptation to layer it on, people! Three thin (not thick and gooey!) coats is all you need for the best manicure anything more will take too long to dry.

12. Store your nail polish wisely

There are actually reasons why purchasing that cute little beauty fridge that ’s sitting in your Amazon cart makes very good sense. Fact is, storing your nail polish in the fridge helps the formula last longer, since heat and sunlight can alter the thickness and shade of it. It tuns out, there's a reason for this.

13. Never cut your cuticles

Ugh, I know. There's something so satisfying about cutting your cuticles, but the truth is that it hurts by accidentally cutting into them. To prevent infection or bacteria, push back your cuticles with an orange stick and some oil.

14. Clip your hangnails

This is the only time a cuticle nipper needs to be used. Hangnails are unavoidable, even if you do not moisturize often, and regrettably, the only way to get rid of them is to cut them.

15. File carefully

Always use your emery board to stroke the file in one direction, otherwise the other end of your nail might be torn off. If you tend to use file incorrectly, you can wind up damaging your nails over as long.

16. Don’t shake the bottle

Holding your nail polish bottle upside down and swirling it vertically in your hands is a way to avoid air bubbles in the nail polish or on your nails as you paint it on.

17. Use non-acetone remover

If you are having peeling or dry nails, you may want to use this formula and strengthen your fingernails as a result.

8. Stay away from hot water

You wouldn't do your nails and then go into the kitchen or wash in the shower, which is why Whitehill recommends against doing your nails. Hot water is nail polish's worst enemy, and its telltale signs are cracks in your synthetic nail. You heard exactly what she said! You companero s night is for the dishes.

19. Go for glitter

If pearl or metallic nail polish fades or chips quickly, consider using it to cover up chips and scratches.

20. Soak before removing

The downside to long-lasting nail polish? It becomes more difficult to remove. Whitehill suggests a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover, putting the cotton ball over each glittery nail, and then letting it sit on your hands for several minutes.