Getting your nails done is a great way to change up your look and feel that bit more polished and put together, but sometimes getting to the salon is one task too many. If you need to do your nails at home, read these tips to ensure that your own manicure skills are almost at a level with your nail technician’s.
Condition Your Nails
Before you begin, make sure your nails are well moisturized and in good condition. Any flakiness, dryness or brittleness will affect the finished look of the manicure, so if needed start prepping a few days in advance by rubbing coconut oil (or a similarly softening product) into your nails. Avoid hot water and if washing up, make sure you wear gloves.
Treat Your Cuticles
If your cuticles are rough, then the nail polish won’t apply evenly and smoothly. Once the nails are well conditioned, use a cuticle pen to gently push the skin on the nail down towards the nail bed. Avoid pushing too hard, and follow up with more conditioning oil or moisturizer.
Apply More Than One Coat
Once you’re ready to apply the nail polish, remember that less is more. For the first coat, apply a thin layer as this will dry quicker and lay down the foundation for the next layers. Make sure that the second layer of polish coats all of the nail, if you’re worried about painting your skin then rub Vaseline onto your fingers before you start applying the polish. You can finish the look with a clear gloss polish, which should help to prevent chipping.