I am seriously a klutz with two left thumbs. But then came the global shutdown, and suddenly, there were worse things than having raggedy nails. So, no, I was not lobbying for beauty salons to open.
Instead, I was sitting at home researching and perfecting all kinds of nail skills—nail art, long wear, repairs, and maintenance. Ask my condo — nobody left here with funky, grimy nails.
Why? For me, Looking at pretty fingers and toes was a flash of joy every day, without even having to get out of the house, make forcible small with the technicians, or stay safe (the rate of catching infection from a nail salon is at an all-time high)!
What did I learn?
Nail painting might look like an art reserved for professionals, but with a few handy nail polish tricks, you can quickly master the at-home manicure game.
Whether you’re prepping for a special occasion or love having gorgeous nails, these practical, easy-to-follow nail polish tricks will have you feeling like a pro in no time. So, grab your favorite polish, get comfy, and let’s dive into the world of DIY manicures!
1. Roll, Don’t Shake, Your Polish Bottle: It’s instinctive to shake a nail polish bottle, but this can create air bubbles that mess with your application. Instead, roll the bottle between your palms for a few seconds to mix it up smoothly.
2. Thin Out Thick Polish with a Few Drops of Polish Thinner:If your nail polish has thickened over time, don’t toss it out just yet. Add a few drops ofnail polish thinner(not remover!) to restore it to its original consistency.Thiswill help your polish glide on smoothly.
3. Dehydrate Your Nails Before Painting:Swipe your nails with rubbing alcohol to remove oils before applying polish.Thishelps the polish stick better and prevents chipping.
4. Dip Your Fingers in Vinegar Before Polishing:Thisis one of those nail polish tricks thatmight sound odd but work fabulously.Simply dipping your fingers in vinegar can help strip oils from your nails, whichhelpsthe polish adhere better.
6. Choose the Right Brush Shape:For a cleaner application, usepolishes with awide, flat brush.They distribute the polish more evenly and are easier to control. From my experiments in the world of nail polish, I have found that the best ones are Gucci and Olive+June.
Application Techniques
7.Apply Polish with Your Dominant Hand First: Starting with your dominant hand makes the other side feel less challenging since it will be yourstrongerhand handling the brush when it’s your turn to do the opposite hand.
8. Use a White Base for Vibrant Colors:If your favorite neon or pastel polish doesn’t pop the way you want, apply a white base coat first.Thishelps the color stand out and look more vivid with fewer layers.
9. Elmer’s Glue for Easy Clean-Up:Painting your nails can get messy, especially when using bold colors or doing nail art. Apply a thin layer ofElmer’s gluearound your nails before you paint.Onceyou’re done,justpeel it off—no acetoneneeded!It’s the best nail polish trick, don’t you agree?
10. Prevent Chips with a Horizontal Edge Coat:Chips usually start at the edges of your nails. After you finish painting, add an extra layer of top coat horizontally across the tip of your nails.Thiscreates a barrier and helps your manicure last longer.
11. Opt for a Base Coat with a Slight TintA base coat with a slight tint (like a sheer pink or beige) can help neutralize discoloration on the nails and make your polish colormore trueto its bottle. Looking for one? Try theDior Nail Glow Polishand theLondontown Kur Illuminating Nail Concealer.
12. Try a Peel-Off Base Coat for Glitter Polishes:Glitter polishes are beautiful but a nightmare to remove. Use apeel-off base coatto easily peel away the polish whenyou’reready for a change.
13. Use a Makeup Sponge for Easy Gradient Nails:Want an ombré or gradient effect? Apply two or three stripes of different polish shades onto a makeup sponge, then dab it onto your nails. It blends the colors beautifully, and you can experiment with endless color combos!
14. Use a Rubber Band for Easy French Tips:This is my most borrowedof nail polish tricks: wrapa rubber band around your nail, leaving just the tip exposed, and use it as a guide for painting perfect French tips.
15. Use Tape for Geometric Nail ArtWantto create geometric patterns or sharp lines? Cut small pieces of tape to section off parts of your nails before painting.
16. Try a Dotting Tool for Simple Nail ArtAdotting tool (or even the end of a bobby pin) is perfect for creating simple designs like polka dots, flowers, or even tiny hearts.
17. Use a Stamping Kit for Intricate PatternsStampingkits are a great way to apply detailed patterns (like lace or animal prints) to your nails without needing professional-level art skills.
18. Fix Small Chips with Glitter: If you have a small chip and no time for a full repaint, try this little—known nail polishtricks: Apply a bit of glitter polish to the affected area. It’ll hide the chip and look intentional!
19. Use Petroleum Jelly for Easy Clean-UpApply a little petroleum jelly (or Vaseline) around your nails before painting to prevent polish from sticking to your skin. Afteryou’re done, wipe away the jelly, and any stray polish comes off too.
20.Paint Over the Edge of Your Nails: Brush the polish over the tip of your nails and slightly down the free edge.Thishelps seal the color and prevents premature chipping.
Drying & Finishing
21. Cool Water Speed-Drying:In a rush? After applying your final coat, dip your nails in a bowl of cold water for 2-3 minutes. The cool temperature helps the polish set faster. Bonus tip: Add a few ice cubes to make itevencooler(pun intended!)
22. Use a Non-Stick Cooking Spray for Smudge-Free Nails:It might sound strange, but a quick spritz of non-stick cooking spray can help set your polish and prevent smudges. Spray lightly over your nails after applying your top coat, wait a few minutes, then rinse off with cool water. It acts as a protective barrier while your nails finish drying.
23. Use a UV Lamp for Regular Polish: WhileUV lampsare typically used for gel polish, they can also speed up drying time for regular polish. Just a minute or two under the lamp can help your mani dry quicker. This is in most stage models’ repertoire as they have to remain chip-free through the night!
25. Seal with a Matte Top Coat First, Then Glossy: Trya layer of matte top coat beforeapplyinga glossy onefor a super strong finish. Itmakes the polish less prone to chipping.
26. Apply a Drop of Oil Under the Free Edge: Adding a tiny drop of oil under the edge of your nail can prevent water from seeping under the polish, which can lead to chips.
27. Apply Cuticle Oil After Painting, Not Before:Applying cuticle oil before painting your nails can cause the polish to lift. Instead, wait until your manicure is completely dry, then apply oil to add shine and moisture. It’s a finishing touch that makes your nails look extra polished.
Cleanup & Maintenance
28. Avoid Washing Hands in Hot Water After Painting:Hot water can cause the polish to lift and chip. If you need to wash your hands, use lukewarm or cool water instead.
29. AvoidHeatfor the First Hour: In fact,avoid activities involvingheat, like cooking or washing your hands with hot water, immediately after painting your nails. Heat can make fresh polish softer and prone to smudges.
30. Store Nail Polish Upright to Prevent SpillageAlwaysstore nail polish upright and in a cool, dark place. This prevents spillage and keeps it from thickening too quickly.
31. Freeze Your Nail Polish to Refresh ItIfyour nail polish is starting to get thick and gloopy, pop it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.Thiscan help it thin out enough for one last smooth application.
Painting your nails at home should be fun and relaxing, not a chore. With these simple nail polish tricks, you’ll be ready to flaunt salon-level nails anytime you want. So, pick out your favorite polish—your next DIY maniis about tobe a masterpiece! Happy painting!
Do you have any favorite nail polish tricks and hacks? Drop them here because we all want to know how to slay this beast!
