From selecting your desired nail shape to prepping the right way, extend the life of your at-home manicure with these nine tips.
Nailed it.
Getting a good manicure at home takes a lot of practice and skill (and frankly a level of coordination I just can’t achieve). Even if you’re a DIY pro, at-home manicures never seems to last as long as when the actual pros do it. The simple solution would be to go to the nail salon, but that’s not always time or cost efficient. I decided to talk to six professional manicurists to get their insider tips for a better at-home mani.
It turns out I was committing a few common faux pas that shorten the lifespan of my mani. And apparently there are a lot of BS tips out there (why am I not surprised…). For example, that trick where you dunk your freshly-painted nails in ice water to quick dry—false. Now, I’m wondering what else I have been doing wrong.
Here are nine ways to keep your nails looking perfect when you DIY your manicure, according to the nail experts.
1.
Select the right shape.
2.
Make sure to buff the edge of your nails.
3.
Prep your nails properly before you paint.
Some salons will use vinegar for a pre-mani soak, but that’s also a no-go, according to editorial nail technician Honey, who explains that the acid in vinegar could make your nails brittle. “I use vinegar on feet to make sure there is no bacteria, but not usually on the hands. A dry manicure is best,” she says.
4.
Don’t shake the nail polish bottle.
Honey uses a roll-and-shake combo. “Some people say not to shake or roll because it makes bubbles in the polish, but I do a combination of the two at the start of a manicure,” she explains. “By the time I am ready to use the color, the bubbles have settled.”
5.
Two thinner coats are better than one thick coat.
Celebrity manicurist Sarah Chue breaks it down a bit further. “Many thin coats will allow polish to dry in between—use only three layers max of color,” she says. “In general, one layer of base coat, two coats of color, and one layer top coat. Sometimes if you'd like more pigment or the color seems a bit sheer, a third coat of color is tolerable.”
Remark agrees. “Almost any polish you’ll find on the market is formulated to be polished with two coats, so use this as a rule of thumb for polishing at home,” she says, adding, “if the polish texture is sheer, oftentimes it will look good even with one coat. However, if it’s an opaque color, it will absolutely require at least two coats.”
6.
Apply product in three strokes.
7.
Avoid heat when drying your mani.
Fix mistakes ASAP.
For smudges, you can gently use your finger to push polish back into place before adding a layer of top coat. “If it’s beyond fixing, like when you get those dents, it’s best to just wipe it off and re-do,” Gracie J adds.
9.
Make manicure maintenance an everyday thing.
Narva is a huge fan of hand creams—two of her favorites are from Omorovicza and Tatcha. “Both are super hydrating but do not leave an oily finish,” she says.
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
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