A couple of things to keep in mind about polish and nails...
- You should always keep the same nail polish on for at least a week, using remover that often strips your nails making them weaker
- Always, always, always wash your hands after using nail polish remover to get it off your nails and hands
Here is a picture of my nails after cleaning them.
After cleaning my nails I will either cut or file them, if needed. If you are going to cut your nails, soak them in warm water first. This makes the cut easier and smoother. If you are going to file your nails, Only File Them Going One Direction!! Filing back and forth tears the nail apart and they will split and crack easier.
When I am done cleaning my nails, I add one of two things. I add either a base coat or a nail hardner. This time I used a hardner to help my nails stay strong. I use Rock Solid by Essie. It is nice and smooth and it works. I put one coat of the hardner or base coat on. Once that dries, I move on to the polish.
A little tip, to make sure to get just enough polish on the brush. Too little and it doesn't go on smoothly, too much and it is way too messy. I just clean one side of the bristles by running the side of the bristles on the bottle top. Also, to get the right color and lasting wear, always put on two coats of polish. For this manicure, I went with a pink color.
This is the color after one coat.
This is the color after two coats.
I usually give about 10-15 minutes to dry. I am always afraid about messing up my nails when they are wet or tacky. This color is Hot Magenta by Sally Hansen, part of the Hard as Nails line.
Hope you got some good and useful tips, and enjoy!
<3 Michelle
