There are so many great methods of doing your nails on Pinterest that I thought it might be a good idea to share some information concerning painting your nails. If you decide to try one of these at home manicures, it pays to know exactly what you are getting into. By all means, have some fun with your nails. Just don’t forget a few simple steps that can save you from agony when your polish comes off in a day or two.
Prep for Paint
The fact of the matter is that when you paint anything at all–including your nails, there is some prep work involved if you plan for the paint to last. When you prep your nails to paint them you are putting in extra effort to make your efforts last a bit longer, but you are also protecting your nail and nail bed at the same time.
Scuff and File
File your nails so that they are the desired shape. This step should be based on personal preference as well as finger and nail shape. The next step is to scuff your nails. If you have ever worked with paint, you know that it adheres to scuffed or sanded areas much better than smooth ones. The same premise applies to your nails. If you have ridges on your nails, this process also reduces them so that you end up with a smooth finish.
Clean Your Nails
When you clean your nails, you really should use a brush. This ensures that all the debris is removed so that you won’t have those little bumps that we all dread so much.
Apply a Base Coat
Have you ever wondered what the base coat is for? Consider it the primer of your paint job. The base coat helps the polish last much longer than it does without it. It also protects your nails and nail bed. Nail polish has dyes in it that can seep through your nail. This is why when you remove red nail polish that was applied without a base, you sometimes end up with pink fingernails. The base coat prevents this from happening.
Apply a Fast-Drying Top Coat
After you have applied the nail polish over your base coat, wait for it to dry and then apply a top coat. If your nail polish is one color, you can even apply the top coat before the nail polish is dry. The top coat helps maintain your nail polish longer, but it also helps to “cure” the polish underneath. Your nails will look better and last longer because of this final step. Use a fast-drying top coat to speed the process up.
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