My Best Tips & Tricks for Nails

some of my polishes, via Instagram

Happy Easter weekend! It's Charlie's birthday! He's three (in human years) and still adorable as when I got him at 6 months. Easter is so much fun now that I have nephews. I'm kinda hoping one of them will rock a bow tie for Easter pics. I won't be wearing a tie, but my nails will be decorated! Today I'm sharing best tips and tricks for nails. My Grandmother has done nails for over 40 years, and my mom used to be a manicurist as well, so I've picked up a thing or two over the years. Enjoy!

middle, right, left

How to Apply Polish--Start by applying color at the base of the nail, right in the middle. Push towards the end/tip of your nail. Go back to the base of the nail and push the color to the left and sweep up. Repeat on the right side of the nail. It's like you're making a "W" by starting in the middle first, then the sides. I paint my thumbs last. If you'd like a more detailed post, let me know.

past nail art posts

How to Get a Longer-Lasting Mani--Some brands chip worse than others, regardless of price! On my nails, the more environmentally-friendly they are, or if they're Quick Dry, the easier they chip, but I use polishes of all types/prices. Start with a clean nail and a base coat--some swear by a quick wipe of vinegar. Make sure you apply at least two thin coats of polish. Apply polish (I do this for top coats as well) to tips of nails and the back of them (if nails are long enough). A top coat is a must! I've noticed my pointer fingers chip first, so I make sure to add an extra coat. If you're really serious about it, use gloves to wash dishes, for example, or get gel nails.

more nail art

How to Not Make a Polish Painting Mess--Try using a small eyeliner, concealer, or art brush to clean around the nail bed after painting. I use this one from ELF and it's only $1. I also will put a heavy moisturizer carefully around my nail, like Vaseline, Rosebud, or Chapstick. Any mistakes will be easy to wipe away once your polish is dry. I wait 45 minutes if I really want polish to not smudge. I use tape around my nails if splattering or marbleizing my nails.

via my Instagram

How to Dry Nails Quickly--Cooking spray, clear dry shampoo, compressed air, nail drying spray, or cold water can help dry nails faster. You'll know your nails are dry when they stop smelling like polish. 

summer swirl nails

How to Stop Smudges, Bubbles--Make sure your coats aren't too thick. I also don't shake the mess out of the bottle. If you smudge your wet nail, try licking it. Sounds gross, but it works! Also, dip the back of your finger in polish remover and place it on the smudged area to make it even. Then paint back over your nail, dry, and seal with a top coat. If I have to do something mid-mani, I'll add a drop of olive oil on my nail and sometimes I'll lightly wrap it in plastic wrap. I then let it dry asap.

via my Instagram

How to Remove Glitter Polish--Take a cotton ball or tissue, soak in polish remover, and place on top of nail. Then wrap fingers in a bit of tin foil, yes, really! Leave for about 5 minutes and the polish will come right off. You can also make a base coat of Elmer's white glue mixed with water. Allow to dry and then add your polish. It will (much to my delight) peel off! This method doesn't guarantee long-lasting results, but it works.

mixing my own polish

Bonus Tips:

• New polish--Make your own new shade of polish by taking any shade of eye shadow, scraping a little onto a paper plate, and then mix with clear polish. Paint on nails! Try this post for pictures and descriptions.
• Stained Nails--Try whitening toothpaste! Or this post which lists other options.
• Out of Polish Remover--No polish remover? No problem. Just paint any color of polish on top of your existing polish. Wipe away the polish. It really works and is great if you're in a pinch. Also, try hand sanitizer!
• Glitter Polish--Applying glitter polish can be a pain if you want full-coverage. I suggest tapping the brush onto the nail or painting it onto a sponge and then dabbing the sponge onto nails. Be sure to finish with a clear top coat to prevent any snags from glitter.
• Make Neons Pop--Try a coat of white polish before painting your nails with neon polish. The color won't be as streaky and the color will pop!
• Make Metallics Pop--Try a coat of black before painting a metallic polish.
• Make Nails Grow/Thick--I have always had very flimsy nails. It's genetics. I even took two years off from painting them, and saw no results. Nail strengtheners and hardeners do work, as long as they are on your nail. Try Nailtiques, Sally Hansen, or OPI Nail Envy, just to name a few. Biotin and supplements for nails can help them grow, but I've not yet found something to make them harder/thicker.

Leave your nail questions or tips in the comments, if you'd like.

Be safe, behave, and be well.

Love, Elle