Nail Basics

Hi everyone!! I'm so glad to finally start my own blog! My main focus with this blog, is to:

1. show you the basics (and some intricate things too!) of doing your nails at home.

2.  point out things that I wish I knew when I began, and things that I don't think are totally necessary. Just keep in mind, that all of my tips and advice, are just from my experiences, you might have a way that works better for you, but this is just what I've learned. Okay, enough blabbering, let’s get started!

Alright, what you will need will be:

1. base/ top coat

     2. the nail polish color of your choice (I'm using Essie Beach Bum Blue)

     3. nail polish remover/ Q-tips (or something small that will soak up remover)

     4. dedication!!

Okay, I know that last one is a little corny, but it’s true! Doing your own nails (especially trying to paint your dominant hand) takes a lot of focus, patience, and you need to learn to make the best of your mistakes!

One last thing before we start, I often find it helpful to have your supplies ready to go before you begin painting, that way while your nails are still wet you don't have to go running around looking for that top coat (or whatever it is you're looking for.) Also, never do it in a rush. Just be patient and take your time.

You’re going to start with your base coat.

Start by getting your brush wet with base coat. You don’t want too much on the brush, just enough to coat one nail (because you can always dip back into the bottle.) Now, on the finger you choose to start with (it doesn't matter which one) you're going to start in the middle, and then slowly (and gently) push the brush back into the cuticle area. Try not to get any on the cuticles, especially if you haven't pushed them back. (Many people say that you have to push your cuticles back. But I don't really think it’s totally necessary. If you push them back you will get a much more professional look, but your nails will still look nice even if you don't.)  Then bring your brush up the rest of your nail. Repeat this step on the rest of your nails, then let them completely dry.

Now, apply your color. And you will be using the same technique as you were with the base coat. Start at the middle, push down, and bring up.

And be sure to give it a good shake. It doesn't always need one, but better safe than sorry, right? And once more, when doing your nails, start in the middle, push down to the cuticle, and then bring it back up your nail. Alright, let’s get painting!

Now, I'm sure you have gotten some on you fingers, and you may be getting frustrated, but there’s no need. I get it on my fingers ALL the time. But there is an easy fix. While you’re applying the polish, forget your fingers are even there. Only be focused on getting the entire nail covered (make sure to get into those little corners!) Because if you’re only focused on covering the nail, then you’ll do a better job. And it’s easy to clean up your skin. Just grab a Q-tip, dip it in some remover, and then (only once your nails are completely dry) carefully scrub the skin that has polish on it.

Now do this to the rest of your nails.

Now, depending on your polish, you might need a second coat. I always do two coats, because sometimes you don't realize that you need a second coat, but then once you put it on, your nails look so much better. So just do the same steps as before (even if you don't think you need to) and just like before, focus first on covering the whole nail, then do clean-up’s once your nails are dry.

Okay, now that our nails are painted, and our skin is cleaned, we are going to top coat! And top coating will be just like base coating, and polishing. Start in the middle, work your way down, and then bring it forwards. Before you start putting your top coat on, be sure your nails are totally dry. Otherwise the top coat could pull the polish, and mess it up. You won't really notice (too much) with just a solid color like we’re doing today, but once we get into intricate designs, you are going to have to wait for them to completely dry. But for now, just waiting until it’s mostly dry will be fine.

And just like before, don't worry if it gets on your skin, you can clean that. It’s just important to make sure your nail is totally covered in top coat. And I can not stress this enough, make sure your nails are COMPLETELY dry before you start to clean. Otherwise, you’ll get little fuzz bits stuck in your nails, or it could pull the polish, or if the polish isn't fully dry and you have too much remover, it will just turn into this weird gloppy mess. So be sure they’re completely dry. Also, don't begin cleaning up your workstation, until your nails are dry. Otherwise, when you're putting something away, you could smudge your nails and have to start all over again.

Good! That's one hand done! Now the tricky part... doing your other hand. When painting your dominant hand, it can be VERY difficult to keep everything looking clean and nice, but it’s really just the same as with the other hand. Start in the middle, push down, pull up, and worry about cleaning once they're dry. All it takes to do your dominant hand, is patience. You probably will make a lot of mistakes (I always do) but that's okay! It will help you learn, and with enough practice, you'll get the hang of it. And I find, when doing your dominant hand it helps to keep the hand with the brush steady, and move your other hand, instead of moving the brush (this only works when painting your dominant hand.)

And there! We’re done! I Hope that all of this made sense to you, be sure to come back next time, for more designs and tips!

Enjoy your beautifully manicured nails!

Bye-bye!!