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DIY Nails
Here are 8 tips for a flawless manicure.
Home manicures can be great for self-pampering -- and can become frustrating when the results are less-than-polished! The following tips will help you perfect your manicures:
Tip 1: Check your polish.
Old polish can become clumpy and thick, causing uneven application and bubbles. If your polish has become thick, add a few drops of polish thinner to the bottle and shake well. (Note: Don't use nail polish remover to do this!) Or treat yourself to a new bottle.
Tip 2: Start with clean nails.
If yours have traces of lotion or cuticle oil on them, polish won't stick evenly and will chip more readily. Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or nail polish remover to clean the surface of nails before you paint.
Tip 3: Begin with a base coat.
A base coat smoothes out nail ridges, and allows polish to go on more evenly. A base coat also protects nails from becoming stained when you wear dark polish.
Tip 4: Watch your brush.
As you remove your brush from the bottle, carefully wipe one side of the brush along the bottle's neck. This removes excess, bubble-producing nailcolor.
Tip 5: Apply in minimal sweeps.
Apply color from cuticles to tips in three swipes: One in the middle, and one on either side of the nail. You may need to use more strokes, but keep in mind that the fewer sweeps of color, the more even the result.
Tip 6: Clean up as you go.
It's inevitable that you'll wind up with some polish on the skin around your nails. Use a wooden nail stick to quickly swipe away the excess as you go.
Tip 7: Finish it off with a top coat.
A top coat seals the polish onto your nails and gives a high-shine finish (which can camouflage streaks or small bubbles).
Tip 8: Allow ample drying time.
Set aside at least an hour of hands-off time for nails to dry. And remember that while they may feel dry to the touch after that time, nails can still be tacky and more prone to nicking for a few hours afterward.
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