Nail Polish

Polishing Like a Pro

Do you ever wonder how the heck the experienced nail techs apply
Nail Polish with out getting it all over the cuticles and don't
have to spend any time cleaning up before top coat?
Well, now you will know how by the end of this page.

First things first. Let's talk about Nail Polish (also called lacquer) for
a minute. Everyone has their favorites in the business and the two
biggies are OPI and Creative. Other professional and semi-professional
brands can be just as good (and less expensive). Semi-pro polishes are
the brands that beauty supply stores "open to the public" (like Sally's) carry.

There is a difference in drying time between the professional nail polish
and the grocery store brands. A big difference. Some clients will bring in
a store bought polish because they like the color. It goes on nice usually
(except for the .99 cent types, the bristles are not as fine and they shed
right onto the nail) but the drying time is more than twice the time of the
pro versions. Which means dents and dings all over. Who can be "good"
for that long?

As for top coats; the best are the UV drying types. After you apply it
wait for at least 30 seconds to let it go through the layers of nail polish,
then cure under a gel light for 3 minutes. To check dryness of nails
I first, lightly run my finger across it, if it is smooth and doesn't
"catch" I'll then tap it with my nail lightly. If it "clicks" it's very dry.
If it's a lower pitched"tap" sound, it's not done drying.

* For The Best Professional Nail Polish and Top Coats Mailed Directly to You, "click" below

Let's get started

Now, I'm sure you've heard, "you need to apply nail polish in 3 strokes".
Well, most of the time that is true but it really depends on the size of nail. Some fingernails are so tiny that 2 strokes cover it and a large thumb nail might take 4.
So, let's not concern ourselves with counting strokes right now.

Polishing Steps

1. When taking the brush out of the bottle, wipe the side
that you won't be using against the neck of the bottle.
Don't wipe off any from the other side.

2. Hold brush so the bristles are pointed straight down (vertical),
allowing a ball of polish to form.

3. Immediately turn the brush horizontal before it drips, then lay the ball
of polish in the center, just under the cuticle zone, like shown above.

4. The KEY: Push the excess lacquer toward the cuticle, getting
as close as you can with out touching the skin, then stroke down.
This makes for a nice line at the cuticle and ensures polish free skin.
Some brands are very runny so point the nail down a little while
applying to let gravity help keep the cuticle from getting flooded.

5. Repeat on each side of the nail making sure to line up the cuticle
area with the center stroke to have an even line all the way
around the cuticle zone.

6. When you are painting the sides spread the bristles
(try wiggling the brush on the nail to align the bristles) so that the last
few of them can "draw" a line along the side. It's ok to brush over
everything to blend the lines and ensure even coverage.
Just don't play too long with it or you'll have a bumpy surface.

7. If you do get a little on the skin use your fingernail or a cuticle
stick to wipe it off immediately. Don't wait until the end to clean up.
If you end up with a smear or a bit of polish on the skin when you're done
try brushing a little top coat on the spot and wipe off. Top coats will
usually, what I call, "melt" the polish making it easier to remove

8. With professional polish you can go directly to the first nail you
began with and put on a layer of top coat. Otherwise, with 'grocery
store brands' it would better to wait a minute. Apply with a large
"ball" of top coat on the bristles just like the polish method making
sure to brush lightly so you don't brush through the
polish, you need to lay it over.

* With UV top coats you don't have the playing time you do with the
nail lacquer, so, put it on with minimal strokes. It is better to leave it
alone and go back over it when it's dry rather than dragging the top coat
causing bumpy looking nails.

Learn how to airbrush! Step by step directions
Instead of Nail Polish try Airbrush

For common questions and their answers "click" here
To learn how to apply acrylic "click" here
For filing technique "click" here