Nail Painting Tips & Tricks

Anyone who knows me will know that I am always painting my nails or doing nail art. Therefore, I can justify my out-of-hand collection of nail polishes. I often get asked how I manage to get my nails to look as if I've had them done professionally. Practice is definitely key but there are a few tips and tricks that will help along the way.

1. Always use a base coat - this will help smooth the nail surface and prevent nail discolouration.

2. File from the outside of nail to the inside - back and forth will damage the nail. I only use a crystal nail file, which is the only type suitable for filing back and forth. Once you try a crystal nail file, you'll never go back!

3. Cuticle care - push your cuticles back and moisturise them with an oil or cream.

4. Never shake the polish bottle - this creates air bubbles, instead, roll it between your hands. This is one of the most common mistakes!

5. Gloopy nail polish - if this happens, put a tiny drop of nail polish remover into the bottle. You'll thank me later!

6. Loosen a stuck nail polish lid by soaking it upside down in hot water until it loosens. When you can't open your favourite colour it's so annoying!

7. Apply base coat to the top half of the nail then over the whole nail - your nail polish will stay on longer. You can also use this process when applying top coat.

8. To remove stubborn or glitter nail polish, soak a cotton pad in nail polish remover and place on your nail. Wrap some tinfoil over the cotton pad and it'll come off so much easier!

9. To make your nail polish more vibrant and stand out, apply a layer of white nail polish before applying your chosen colour.

10. Lastly. the best tip - to get professional looking nails, place a tiny drop of nail polish in the centre of the nail just above the cuticle, then carefully push down leaving a small gap. Move the brush upwards to create a straight line of polish. Go back to the base of the nail and gently swipe the polish along the side of the nail. Drag the polish up until the side of the nail is covered then repeat this on the other side of the nail. 

Hopefully these tips will help you get professional looking nails in no time!