Guide to Nail Care

For those seeking efficiency, cost savings, or convenience, DIY nail care is the answer. Begin by ensuring your nails are free of old polish before applying a smooth coat of polish to each nail. If opting for acrylics, align nail tips with your natural nails, secure with glue, and cover with acrylic powder. Regardless of your choice, remember to use base and top coats for added protection.

To start, remove old polish to prepare your nails. Use a dampened Q-tip or cotton ball with non-acetone polish remover to gently wipe away old polish until your nails are clean.

Ensure cleanliness of your hands and nails. Employ a mild soap with warm water to cleanse your hands thoroughly. Then, utilize a nail brush to meticulously scrub around the edges and tips of your nails. Rinse off the soap and gently pat your hands and nails dry using a clean towel.

• You can procure a nail brush from the beauty supply section of a drugstore or grocery store.

Apply hand cream to maintain hydration of your hands and nails. Dispense a penny-sized amount of hand cream, ensuring thorough coverage on each finger to keep your hands and nails adequately moisturized. Massage the cream into your skin until fully absorbed, leaving no residue to prevent dryness.

• Purchase hand cream from a drugstore, big box store, or beauty store.
• Apply moisturizer before tending to your nails and then use a dehydrator before applying nail polish.

Smooth out any rough edges on your nails using a nail file. Glide the nail file along the edge of your nails, filing in one direction. Shape each nail to match the curvature of your cuticles.

• Select a file with a grit of approximately 180 to ensure a gentle touch for a neat, smooth finish.
• Ensure your nails are completely dry before filing them.

Nourish your cuticles with cuticle oil to prevent dryness. Apply the cuticle oil along each cuticle, being mindful not to overuse. Gently massage the oil into your cuticles using your fingertips to ensure even distribution.

• Locate cuticle oil at a big box store, beauty store, or online.
• Apply cuticle oil daily to maintain the softness and suppleness of the skin around your nails, thereby reducing the likelihood of hangnails.

Position your hands on a flat, safeguarded surface. Lay out a paper towel or regular towel to protect the area where you'll be working, such as a table, desk, or vanity. Ensure your hand can lie flat with fingers spread, and choose a well-lit spot to facilitate nail painting.

Shape and trim your nails in preparation for painting. Utilize nail clippers to trim your nails if necessary. Once trimmed to desired length, use a nail file to smooth any rough edges left by the clippers. Shape your nails according to your preference, considering options like:

• Round
• Square
• Rounded square
• Oval
• Squoval
• Ballerina
• Almond
• Stiletto
• Lipstick

Begin by painting your dominant hand to streamline the process. This reduces the risk of smudging and errors, as painting your non-dominant hand afterward is usually easier. Stretch your fingers wide to prepare for painting, and give extra attention to your dominant hand when painting with your non-dominant hand.

• Starting with your pinkie and moving towards your thumb can help prevent smudging.

Apply a base coat for nail protection. Apply the base coat evenly across each nail—even though it's clear and won't show, perfection isn't crucial. The base coat shields your nails from potential damage caused by nail polish and promotes better adhesion of the polish.

• Invest in quality base and top coats for longer-lasting manicures. Additionally, using a base coat prevents nail polish from staining your nails.
• Allow the base coat to dry before applying polish.

Brush nail polish onto each nail using three strokes.

Dip the brush into the polish, removing excess on the bottle's edge. Begin applying just below the cuticle, swiping left, right, and center of the nail.

• Ensure full coverage of the nail with polish, avoiding contact with the skin or cuticles.

Apply nail polish in thin, even layers. Opt for thin coats rather than thick ones to expedite drying time. To ensure thin coats, remove excess polish from the brush by wiping it on the bottle's edge after each dip.

Apply a second coat of polish after allowing the first layer to dry. Wait a few minutes for the first coat to dry completely. Apply the second coat just like the first, ensuring a thin, even application.

• Perform a quick touch test to check the dryness of the first coat.
• If the first coat is still visible or the polish isn't evenly shaded, apply additional coats as needed.

Remove any smudges using a Q-tip dipped in acetone. Dampen the Q-tip with nail polish remover without causing it to drip. Gently swipe along the nail's edge to remove any smudges or errors, leaving the polish only on the nails.

• Acetone and nail polish remover are synonymous.
• Alternatively, use a fine-tipped, flat-headed brush dipped in nail polish remover to erase polish from the nail edges.

Apply a top coat to preserve the polish and prevent chipping. Once nails are fully dry, apply a clear top coat in a thin, even layer. It's advisable to also coat the nail tips to enhance chip resistance.

• Note that applying the top coat before the underlying color fully dries may cause bubbles or ripples.

Push back the cuticles on each fingernail. Achieve this with a moist cloth, your fingers, or a wooden cuticle pusher. Gently push back the skin surrounding each nail to reveal the nail bed.

• Ensure clean nails by washing your hands beforehand.
• Avoid cutting or removing cuticles to prevent infections.

Buff the surface of each nail to eliminate shine. Utilize a nail buffer to gently rub the nail surface, creating a textured area for better adhesion of acrylic nails. Repeat this process for each nail until the shine disappears.

• Exercise caution to avoid over-filing and damaging your nails.
• Use a soft brush to sweep away any dust.
• Apply dehydrator spray to your nails after dust removal.

Select an appropriate nail tip for each fingernail. Browse through various acrylic nail sizes to find the best fit for each nail. Align the nail tip with the natural edge of your nail, ensuring it doesn't extend beyond the sides or appear too small.

• An ideal nail tip will align seamlessly with your nail edges.
• Consider using an acrylic nail cutter to trim the tip if necessary.
• Purchase acrylic nails from a beauty supply store or online, either as part of a complete nail kit or as individual nail tips.
• Alternatively, opt for full-cover acrylic nails for a different look.

Adhere each nail tip using nail glue. Apply a thin, even line of nail glue along the edge of your nail. Position the nail tip securely, ensuring it sits flush with your nail bed. Hold it in place for at least 10 seconds to ensure proper adhesion.

• Find nail glue at various retail outlets or online.

Smooth the nail tip for a seamless finish. Once the acrylic nail tip is firmly attached, use a nail file to level the glued edge with your natural nail. File the entire surface of the acrylic nail to remove shine and create a suitable base for further application.

• Shape the edge of the acrylic nail with the file if desired.
• Clean away any filing residue before applying primer and acrylic.

Apply primer on your nails to eliminate oils. Obtain nail primer from a retail store or online to cleanse your nails and facilitate even adhesion of acrylic powder. Apply the primer similar to nail polish, ensuring each nail is thinly and evenly coated.

• Do not skip this step, as proper adhesion of acrylic powder relies on the primer.

Dip a brush into monomer and gather acrylic powder. Use a small makeup brush, dipping it into the monomer and removing excess liquid. Dip the brush into the powder to create a small bead of acrylic on the tip.

• Monomer is a chemical that reacts with the powder to form acrylic paint.
• Eliminate any bubbles in the monomer on your brush to prevent bubbles on your nails.

Apply the powder bead near the nail's top, brushing downwards. Once the bead becomes glossy, begin spreading it on the nail's top. Gently press it beneath the cuticle, using the brush to guide the powder down the nail. As you work, the bead will flatten out. Manipulate the powder bead with the brush until the entire nail is evenly covered.

• Avoid contact between the powder bead and your skin or cuticles.

Allow your nails to dry completely before additional filing or shaping. Wait 15-30 minutes for your nails to dry. Confirm dryness by tapping them—if you hear a clicking sound, they're dry! Use a nail file to shape the nails to your liking.

Protect your acrylic nails with a top coat. After achieving your desired nail appearance, apply a clear protective coat evenly and thinly. Cover the entire nail surface and extend the coat to the nail tips to prevent chipping.

• If you desire long-lasting nail polish for 2 weeks or more, consider opting for a shellac or gel manicure at a salon. Shellac combines gel and regular polish, while gel consists solely of gel. These polishes require UV light for curing and professional removal.
• Avoid using your nails for tasks that could cause damage, such as picking or prying things, and refrain from biting your nails or picking at cuticles.
• Choose an acetone-free nail polish remover if you use it frequently, more than once a week.

Painting Nails

• Paper towel
• Nail polish
• Base coat
• Q-tip
• Top coat

Applying Acrylic Nails

• Cuticle pusher
• Nail file
• Acrylic nails
• Nail glue
• Nail primer
• Small makeup brush
• Monomer
• Acrylic powder
• Top coat