6 Common Mistakes You Make Painting Your Nails
1. Painting your nails when they're dirty Get the surface superclean. Any trace of dust, moisture, or leftover polish will keep the new nail polish from sticking. For true staying power, drizzle an old toothbrush with hand soap and use it to "get into the corners and under nail tips. Check out all the latest Drugstore 20% off everything when buy Nails 2016.
2. Not prepping the surface Before you paint, you should also swipe clean nails with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover. "Greasiness from lotion prevents polish from adhering," Jin Soon Choi, owner of Jin Soon Natural spas in New York City. Polish remover that's pure acetone
will get rid of residue faster, but if that's too drying, try a nonacetone remover.
3. Skipping the basics: a basecoat A bottom layer gives the polish something to latch onto. Plus, studies show that a base coat sticks to nails better than nail polish itself. Arnold says a base coat is soft and sticky, so that it can expand and contract with your nails and help color adhere. 4. Practicing the wrong painting technique Apply your polish in three narrow, even strokes, one down the middle and one down each side. Then wait two minutes before applying a second coat. And don't goop it on: The thicker the layer of polish, the likelier it is to peel. 5. Not sealing the deal with a topcoat Once your manicure is on, seal it with a slowsetting topcoat. Quickdry kinds are tempting to use, but what you gain in speed, you lose in protection, says Arnold. A sloweracting topcoat leaves a harder and more protective finish. Save the quickdry coat for a postmanicure touchup a few days later. 6. Forgoing maintenance It sounds like a nobrainer, but if you're going to scrub pots and pans with nail polish on, wear some rubber gloves. Ditto for any
other activity that potentially involves chipping your nail polish. Every other day, apply a layer of quickdry topcoat to prolong your mani and increase shine. To keep your nails hydrated, apply oil to nails and cuticles and slather on some hand cream every other day.