How To Get The Perfect Nail Polish Application

An in-depth, step by step guide on how to apply nail polish to your nails for a smoother and longer lasting manicure! A 10 step written and visual explanation.

This guide can be used for applying all layers of polish including base coats, nail polishes, toppers and top coats. Take extra care on the first 1 to 2 coats to create a nice shape near your cuticle and fill the nail evenly. These first few coats will create a slight platform, making it easier to apply the remaining coats of polish that follow the shape of the first layers.

If you haven't already prepped and shaped your nails, follow the steps here before you start applying your base coat and nail polish. This will make sure your manicure lasts longer and will give you a nicer nail to start painting on.

1. Warm your polish and mix the pigments by rolling the bottle in your hands. Try not the shake your bottle, this will make tiny bubbles that could mess up your manicure. 

2. Dip your brush into the bottle of polish and wipe the side closest to you on the opening of the bottle as you take it out. you should now have a little bead of base coat on the other side of the brush.

   
   

3. 

   To paint your nail, place the brush on your nail about a third of the way up from your cuticle, with the side with the most polish facing down and on your nail.

4. 

   Push the bead of polish towards your cuticle with the brush, making sure to leave a small gap between the polish and your cuticle to prevent the polish leaking onto your skin.

   
   

5. 

   Now paint back up the centre of your nail. 

   
   

6. 

   Place the brush back down where you did the first time, dragging the polish now to the side. You can gently scrub the brush towards the cuticle to push the polish to create a nice neat shape, again leaving a gap near the cuticle. Now swipe up to paint the remaining nail between your first stroke and the skin on the side of your nail. Id you do get some polish on your skin, use a Q tip to wipe it away while it's still wet.

   
   

7. 

   Repeat steps 6 on the other side of your first stroke, or as many times and sections you need to fill the entire nail.

8. 

   Use your brush to seal the tip of your nail if they are long enough. This will help your manicure last longer and protect your nails. It will be the first part to chip off and sacrifice itself to keep the rest of your manicure looking great! you might need to dip your brush in the bottle for a little more polish

   
   

9. Wait to until dry-ish. You should be able to touch you newly painted nail with your finger and not get any polish stuck to it. At the very least it should feel slightly tacky.

Tip: waiting until fully dry will give the best results but increases the time your at home manicure will take. 

Repeat these steps for each coat of polish until you have a complete manicure! Cleanup any extra polish on your skin with a Q tip and nail polish remover. You can also use a small paintbrush if you prefer, however the nail polish remover can cause damage to the brush over time.

If you would like some help on how to do a full manicure at home, this post here will give you a step by step guide for a beautiful and long lasting set of nails!

Thanks for reading and catch ya next time!