You know what we love about nail polish? It allows us to express ourselves in a subtle way. Whether it’s applying a nude shade for an interview or going metallic on your birthday, the range of colours and finishes available are endless. However, all that becomes moot when your manicure chips or smudges. To ensure that your tips look flawless, here are 5 mistakes you should avoid.
Mistake #1: Skipping The Base Coat
There’s no excuse for not using a base coat. Just like a primer preps your face for makeup, a base coat locks your nails’ natural oils so that the lacquer can adhere better.
Mistake #2: Shaking The Bottle
Never ever shake your nail polish bottle! This can create bubbles in the formula, which will lead to streaky and uneven application. Instead, roll the bottle between your palms to warm up the formula.
Mistake #3: Applying Thick Coats
You may think that applying thicker coats equals to more pigmentation, but doing so will only decrease the life of your manicure. Since the layers will take longer to dry, your nail paint will be more susceptible to nicks and smudges. Apply thin coats, in three or four strokes, to get a smooth and even look.
Mistake #4: Not Sealing The Edges
Notice how the edges of your nails end up chipping after a few days? One of the reasons this happens is because the formula shrinks as it dries. Run your brush along the tip of your nails to seal the colour.
Mistake #5: Cleaning Up With A Q-Tip
Unless you have super steady hands, chances are that you will mess up your fingers a bit. However, do not use a cotton bud to clean up as the fibres may land up sticking to your lacquer and causing a bigger problem. Instead, dip a flat makeup brush or paint brush into your remover to help get the colour off.
Are you guilty of any of these mistakes? Hopefully, these tips will sort you out.
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