We save the way to the nail salon. We paint our own nails best. The perfect tips for inexperienced and perfectionists!
Paint nails like a professional
Painting nails is not a science. Even if it is wonderfully convenient to have your hands and feet in tip-top form in the nail salon – if you want to go fast or the till is empty, we also apply the nail polish perfectly yourself. We have collected the best tips for manicures and pedicures for you. You wonder if Shellac is an alternative to simple nail polish? We have a critical decision-making aid for you!
Beauty trick: paint nails without overpainting
Manicure – the fingernails are beautiful
Good preparation is essential so that the nail polish lasts a really long time and does not peel off after a day.
A Base coat (Also called basecoat or base coat) should ensure that the unevenness on the nail is compensated and the nail polish can be applied to an optimal flat surface. If so, then another Top coat (Top Coat) seals the nail polish, you can actually rely on a shelf life of a few days.
So you apply the paint properly
It is not an absolute must, but it is still good to know where to put the nail polish first, how big the drop should be and in which direction you then swing the brush. This graphic shows it exactly. For most nail polishes, one coat of varnish is enough.
Preparation of the fingernails
- Remove old nail polish
- Shorten and shape fingernails
- Remove or care for cuticles
- Apply base coat
- Let the base coat dry
- Paint fingernails with colored nail polish
- Apply nail polish
- Let nail polish dry
- Apply top coat
- Let the top coat dry
- The new nail polish is ready
Let dry completely!
If the color is particularly intense, you can apply two layers – rather two thin layers on top of each other as a thick one. It dries poorly and is susceptible to dents. And honestly – we like to tap the nail polish impatiently to see if it is already dry, right? Of course, with a thick layer of nail polish that needs to dry much longer, you can of course quickly cause damage – a tap of the finger and we'll smear the nail art again.
Pedicure – properly paint toenails
Well-groomed feet are a basic requirement for a pedicure to look nice. So peel before the toenails, peel, remove the cornea, push back cuticles etc. If you apply nail polish on the toenails, the same applies as for the fingernails. The work steps bottom coat, nail polish, top coat guarantee a long shelf life.
Little helpers can support the pedicure. So that nothing blurs, you can clamp a toe spreader between your toes beforehand. Never apply the nail polish too deeply, it should always lie over the cuticle. Shellac also promises a long shelf life, which is also popular for brittle nails. We inform you about the advantages and disadvantages of Shellac.
Just don't paint over!
Vaseline helps to ensure that the edges remain precise when painting and that no nail polish lands on the skin. Apply a little ointment to the skin around the nail with a cotton swab. The oily layer prevents the paint from running.
Too impatient? Aunt Tilly takes ice water
Children of the 1970s and 1980s will still remember Tante Tilly, the advertising icon, who dipped her rough hands into a bowl of Palmolive water. We look at this technique, because freshly applied nail polish cures quickly in ice water. Takes about three minutes.
Painting nails: focus on color
The color should pop? Please: Instead of a base coat, you can use a white nail polish under your color coat. It lets the color shine even more.
Get rid of glitter particles
Glitter is generally quite clingy. And nail polish with glitter particles in particular. A brilliant trick to paint it off is this: Soak a cotton pad with nail polish remover, put it on your fingernail, wrap it with aluminum foil and wait 8-10 minutes. Lose weight and be amazed.
Gap filler
A product for the impatient: Those who can't wait for the nail polish to dry – and try it out quickly with their fingers – sometimes leave unsightly marks on the still damp varnish. A repair varnish can make it invisible again: "Instant Smudge Fix" is the name of the miracle product from the manufacturer Londontown.
Exactly in shape: polka dots
Anyone who has ever tried to paint dots freehand on his nails will know how difficult it is. To avoid tremors with unsightly results, we now use the perforated plaster. This is the perfect template for fine polka dots!
Perfect french nails
Adhesive dots from office supplies can do so much more than you would expect at first glance. Acting as a mold for French nails. Important: Always let it dry well. Otherwise the paint will smear when pulled off.
Glue with masking tape for clean edges
For years we have been amazed at what masking tape can do. Glue on our fingernails, put nail polish in its place and be a template for Christmas trees, for example.
Tesa can do it too
Classic scotch tape can also serve us well for manicure. After all, we always have that at home.
Nail stickers
Nail stickers have become really cool. They stick to natural and artificial nails and are long-lasting if they are glued on correctly. It is important that the nail is absolutely fat-free, dust-free and dry. Otherwise the nail sticker will come off quickly.
We still have a great trick with nail polish remover for you, how nail polish lasts longer – and you can also prepare the (unpainted) nails for nail stickers.
A classic is coming back: French manicure is becoming a trend again
The white nail tips are always beautiful because they look so natural. French nails are the ideal nail design for anyone who doesn't like colored polishes. You can also paint the French manicure perfectly at home, there are stencils and even French manicure sets in the drugstore. DIY fans can use stencils to make their own stencils, which then also fit the nail shape perfectly.
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