Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Preparing your nails for painting
• Part 3 of 4: Painting and drying your nails
• Tips
• Necessities

It can be very difficult to paint your nails neatly and evenly. It takes practice, patience and a steady hand to get neat, clean edges. Luckily, if you accidentally paint your fingers, you can always remove your mistakes.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Preparing your nails for painting

1. Remove the old nail polish from your nails. To ensure a neat, even manicure, you will need to remove the old polish from your nails first. Nail polish remover with acetone dries out your nails and cuticles. If possible, use non-acetone nail polish remover instead of one with acetone.
   • Hold a cotton swab or cotton ball in front of the opening of the nail polish remover bottle. Make sure the cotton swab or cotton ball covers that opening completely.
   • Turn the bottle upside down and wait a few seconds to soak the cotton swab or cotton ball with the nail polish remover.
   • Rub the wet cotton swab or cotton ball over your nails to remove the polish.
   • If necessary, add more nail polish remover to the cotton swab or cotton ball.
2. Soak your hands in warm water. Once you've trimmed, shaped, and polished your nails, take a moment to relax and pamper yourself. Fill a bowl with warm water and squeeze it with your favorite facial cleanser. Use a gentle body scrub to exfoliate your hands before soaking. Dip your hands in the warm, soapy water to rinse away the body scrub. Keep your hands in the water for three minutes. Then take them out and dry them with a clean towel.
   • After you soak your hands, your cuticles will be soft so you can push them back more easily.
3. Wait to clean the edges of your nails. The better you get at painting your nails, the less polish you will likely need to remove from your skin. Instead of applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly or white hobby glue, you can also choose to clean the skin around the edges of your nails after you are done applying nail polish and top coat. You can clean the edges of your nails with an old makeup brush and nail polish remover. This method requires a steady, practiced hand and patience.
   • You can also use a clean cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover.

Part 3 of 4: Painting and drying your nails

1. Remove the excess nail polish with an old makeup brush and nail polish remover. After painting your nails, you can gently remove the excess nail polish with an old makeup brush dipped in nail polish remover. In addition to a brush and nail polish remover, you also need a cotton swab or cotton ball. When you have trimmed the edges of your nails you will have a perfect manicure.
   • Pour a small amount of nail polish remover into a bowl or bottle cap.
   • Dip the brush in the nail polish remover and dab a clean cotton swab or cotton ball with it.
   • Hold the brush next to the messy edge of your nail.
   • Smooth the brush along the edge of your nail without applying pressure. Do this on all of your nails.
   • Use the brush to remove nail polish that has dried on your skin.
   • Dip the brush in the nail polish remover and wipe it on the cotton swab or cotton ball if necessary.

Tips

• Before painting your nails, apply base nail polish to prevent the polish from staining your nails.
• If your nails are damaged, try painting those areas slowly and neatly.
• If you don't get it right the first time, keep trying. Before you know it you'll be getting better at painting your nails.
• If your nail polish is too thick, you can buy a remedy that will dilute your nail polish. Do not try to dilute your nail polish by adding nail polish remover.
• Take your time. If you hurry, you will end up with a sloppy manicure that doesn't look very nice.
• When painting your nails, start in the middle of your nail and then paint the sides. You should only have to do three strokes. Always start at the cuticle and then work towards the tip of your nail. Make sure the polish is dry before applying a top coat.
• You can also dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover and use it to remove the stains on your skin.

Necessities

• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Polishing block
• Warm water
• Come on
• Mild facial cleanser
• Body scrub
• Basic nail polish
• Nail polish
• Topcoat
• Cotton buds and cotton balls
• Nail polish remover
• White hobby glue
• Vaseline