Whether you’re a nail novice or want to improve your home manicure application skills, at Nail Polish Direct, we have all the tools and tips to help you get the perfect nail polish manicure.
Read this easy step-by-step guide and learn how to apply nail polish perfectly at home and everything you need to get a perfect, long-lasting finish.
Table of contents:
- Things you need for the perfect nail polish manicure
- How to apply nail polish steps
- Nail polish application top tips
Before starting your nail polish manicure, gather all the tools you need. Having the best tools will set you up for the best manicure finish.
Things you need for the perfect nail polish manicure:
- Nail polish remover
- Cotton balls or pads
- Nail file
- Nail clippers or scissors
- Cuticle pusher
- Nail polish base coat
- Nail polish topcoat
- Your chosen nail polish colour
- Nail polish remover pen (optional for cleaning up mistakes)
How to apply nail polish steps
Learning how to apply nail varnish perfectly is easier than you think. Now you have everything you need, just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be on your way to a flawless manicure.
1. Prepare your nails
Getting a flawless nail polish manicure is all in the preparation. Before you begin, remove and clean off any old nail polish to get a smooth finish using nail polish remover.
Decide whether you want an acetone-based nail polish remover or an acetone-free one. Acetone nail polish remover has a much more powerful solvent, and you should use it to clean difficult-to-remove varnish like glitter nail polishes. However, it can dry out your nails. Acetone-free nail polish works just as well and is better if you have sensitive, dry or brittle nails, prefer a product with a milder odour or are concerned about the drying effects of acetone.
Next, you should trim and file your nails to your desired length and shape with nail clippers and a nail file.
Then, gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher. Doing this will give you a larger canvas and cleaner look. Some prefer to trim their cuticles with cuticle nippers for a cleaner look, but this is optional.
2. Clean your nails
Use a nail brush and manicure stick to ensure your nails are clean and dry. You can also use lint-free wipes to ensure no lint remains on your nails for a perfect finish.
Once your nails are clean and dry, it’s time to start painting!
3. Apply base coat
Use a base coat for the best results and a longer-lasting nail polish manicure! Apply a thin layer of base coat to each nail. Base coats help the polish adhere better to the nail bed and protect your nails from staining.
Many base coats also offer additional benefits and treatments for weak and brittle nails, such as hydration, bonding formulas and strengthening elements.
Let the base coat dry completely before applying the nail colour. Drying time can depend on your surrounding environment but usually takes 1-2 minutes. But you can leave it up to 5 minutes to be sure it’s completely dried. Quick-drying base coats can take as little as 30 seconds to a minute.
4. Apply nail polish
Whatever nail polish colour you’ve chosen, the method remains the same. Start with a thin layer of your chosen nail colour by placing a drop of polish at the centre of your nail just below the cuticle, then push up towards the cuticle and swipe down to the tip of the nail. Repeat and apply polish on both sides of the nail.
Let this dry completely and apply the second coat in the same way, resulting in a more opaque, vibrant finish.
Drying time can take 1-5 minutes, with fast-drying colour polishes taking 30 seconds to one minute. If you want to ensure your nail polish coats are fully dry, wait 5-10 minutes between coats.
5. Clean up mistakes
Take this opportunity to clean up any mistakes. Bold colours like red and blue will show mistakes more prominently. Use a nail polish remover pen or a small cotton bud dipped in nail polish remover to clean up any nail polish that may have gotten on your skin or around your nails.
6. Apply top coat
To solidify your nail polish, apply a top coat for a longer-lasting finish. Applying a thin layer of nail polish top coat seals in the colour and shine, helping to make your manicure last longer, stay vibrant and prevent chipping.
You can also choose top coats to create extra shine or matte effects.
7. Drying
Allow your nails to dry completely before going about your daily business. Nothing is worse than spending hours on the perfect nail polish finish only to knock them on something, causing a streak!
Ensure each coat dries completely; wait 10-15 minutes between each coat to ensure they are fully set.
8. Hydrate cuticles
Let your nails completely dry before adding cuticle oil or hand lotion to moisturise your cuticles and hands.
Nail polish application top tips
Now you have the method down, here are our top tips for nail polish application for a flawless finish every time!
- Apply thin coats. Multiple thin coats are better than one thick coat because thin layers dry quicker. Also, excess polish smudges easier.
- Steady your hand. A steady hand comes with practice, but if you’re struggling with a shaky hand, especially if you’re using your non-dominant hand at home, rest your painting hand on a stable surface.
- Temperature. Ensure you’re painting your nails in a well-ventilated area at a comfortable temperature. High humidity and extreme temperatures can affect the drying process.
- Quick fixes. Keep a nail polish remover pen handy for quick touch-ups if you make a mistake.
- Touch test. Lightly touch the surface of one nail with a cotton pad or another finger to see if it’s dry. If it feels tacky, wait a bit longer to completely dry.
- Use a timer. If you fidget while letting your nails dry, use a timer to ensure you wait for the correct amount to dry.
- Quick-dry products and methods. Use quick-dry products like top coats, drops and sprays to speed up drying. Alternatively, you can put your nails under cold water or use a fan or the cool setting on a hair dryer to gently blow air and speed up the drying time.
Get a perfect nail polish manicure at Nail Polish Direct!
And there you have it! Our fail-safe method and all our top tips on how to apply nail paint at home. You now have the tools and knowledge to apply nail polish like a pro every time!
At Nail Polish Direct, we stock an extensive range of manicuring products for nail, cuticle, hand care, and nail polishes to help you achieve the best nail varnish finish at home. Or, why not shop pedicure treatment products for the best nail polish pedicure?
Related blogs:
