Finishing touches are often the things that make or break an outfit. These little touches, such as having one’s nails finished or having polished shoes are often the signs that people look for when deciding if a person is as put together as they are attempting to appear or not. This is because an outfit can be put on and left as is and still look good. The small details have to be kept up. Nails in particular require upkeep. Applying the nail color correctly can help to decrease the amount of work needed to keep the nails looking good though.
Shaping
When doing your nails, first you should consider shaping your nails. There are 2 shapes that most people use when shaping their nails. There is the pointed nail, which is a soft point or rounded edge and there is the square nail shape. The rounded edge nail is great for those people who do not do a lot of typing and have non-physically demanding jobs. The square shaped nail is great for typing and more athletic or active workers. Do not cut the nails into the shape you want, but instead file them into the shape using a nail file.
Cuticles
Cuticles are the thin skin that covers the nail closest to the moon and the rest of the skin. This skin works to protect the nail bed from infections and contaminants. However, this skin is also creates an uneven nail polish finish. In order to achieve the ideal look for your nails, gently press the cuticle back. Do not cut the cuticle back as this can cause the cuticle to bleed and open the finger up to infection. Cut only the skin that has lifted off the nail itself.
Polish
When picking the nail polish to use, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost is what the properties of the nail polish are. Use nail polishes that promise to strengthen the nail. Also pick up a top coat and a base coat. This will help to maintain the beauty of the nail polish and prevent the polish from chipping off. The base coat should also be one that strengthens the nail and helps it to grow properly.
Application
Before applying the nail polish, wash your hands thoroughly. This will help to remove any oils from your nails that will hinder the nail polish. Once your nails are completely dry, place a coat of base polish on your nails and allow this to dry completely. Then apply 3 coats of color, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next coat. Do not apply heavy coats of color, but rather thin coats as this will allow the polish to dry faster and will provide a more even covering on the nail. Once the color is dry, apply the top coat and allow this to dry completely. Apply a second coat of top coat if necessary.
Tips
Doing one’s nails is not rocket science, but it is not easy either. This is why there are so many nail parlors open. When you are going to do your own nails, make sure you give yourself plenty of time. Do not plan on doing anything for at least an hour. Be sure to have nail polish remover on hand and q-tips to wipe away any stray polish from the sides of your fingers. Try to apply the nail polish on a non-humid day as this will help to speed up the drying process. If possible, allow the nails to dry in the sun or under a warm light.