Achieving a beautiful manicure involves a successful application of nail polish. Between potential overflows and the occasional unevenness between layers, it's not always easy to apply polish correctly. In this article, you'll find all our advice for attractive, colored nails.
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How to apply nail polish?
Summary
- First step: prepare the nails
- Second step: apply the nail polish of your choice
- Third step: maintaining the manicure
Published April 2, 2025,
updated on April 2, 2025,
by
Pauline, Chemical Engineer
—
6 min read
First step: prepare the nails.
A well-executed manicure begins long before the application of nail polish, with the preparation of the nails. In addition to aiding in achieving a cleaner finish, this step enhances the durability of the polish. Above all, it is crucial to have clean hands and nails. After washing your hands, if your nails show traces of old polish, it should be carefully removed with a nail polish remover that is gentle, ideally without acetone to prevent weakening the nail and surrounding skin. We then recommend filing your nails to give them a harmonious shape. This will make your manicure even more meticulous. The trick to avoid weakening your nails is to always file in one direction, from the outside towards the center, without back-and-forth movements that could cause splitting.
Next, it's time to focus on your cuticles. As a reminder, the cuticle is the thin layer of skin that surrounds the nail and covers its matrix. It plays a protective role for the nail, but when it's too visible, it can give a neglected appearance to the manicure. However, it's not advisable to cut the cuticles as this could cause small injuries at the base of the nails. It's better to soften them with a vegetable oil, such as the castor oil or the apricot oil, or a moisturizing cream, before gently pushing them back with a wooden stick or your file. Finally, to ensure the nail polish adheres properly to the nail, it's recommended to remove any traces of cream or oil from the nail surface. To do this, you can simply wipe your nails with a cotton pad soaked in nail polish remover.
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Second step: apply the nail polish of your choice.
Once your nails are prepared, you can move on to the nail polish application step. The ideal starting point is to apply a nail polish base, or base coat. This is a clear polish that protects the nail, prevents it from yellowing, and enhances the adherence of the colored polish applied afterward. The nail polish base should be applied in a thin layer and allowed to dry for a few minutes before moving on to the color.
A common mistake when applying nail polish is the belief that a thicker layer will better cover the nail. In reality, it is preferable to apply several thin layers, which dry faster and reduce the risk of bubbles and irregularities.
To effectively and easily apply your nail polish, we recommend following the simple rule of "three brush strokes" per nail. To do this, start by placing a drop of polish at the base of your nail, then stretch it by making a first pass towards the end of the nail. Then make a brush stroke to the left, then another to the right, trying not to overflow the nail polish onto the surrounding skin. The secret to a beautiful application lies in patience. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next. Generally, to achieve a uniform finish, it is necessary to apply two to three layers of nail polish.
When the final layer of colored polish has finished drying, it's time to move on to a finishing layer, or top coat, using a clear sealing polish. This one visually resembles the one used as a base but its function and properties are different. Thus, although it may be tempting, it is not advisable to replace a sealing polish with a base polish, or vice versa. As its name suggests, the sealing polish helps to set the color, extend the wear of the nail polish and prevent it from chipping quickly. There are different types of sealing polishes, matte, shiny, or even glittery, to cater to all preferences.
Blowing on your nails to speed up drying is a misguided notion: the moisture in the air can cause bubbles on the surface of the polish. It's better to let it dry naturally or use a nail polish drying spray.
Third step: maintaining the manicure.
Once the manicure is complete, a few simple steps can extend its longevity. You can initially apply a new layer of top coat every two to three days. While reviving the finish of the polish, this additional layer strengthens the color's protection against daily wear and tear, such as hand washing or the use of household products (dish soap, sanitizing spray, laundry detergent...). By creating a barrier, the regular application of top coat preserves the color and delays the onset of chipping.
Another good practice: regularly moisturize your hands and cuticles. Indeed, maintaining nourished skin and nails can prevent nail polish from drying out or cracking quickly. To extend the life of your nail polish, it is thus recommended to apply a moisturizing cream for hands and cuticles twice a day, morning and evening. However, when you apply this care, be careful not to rub too much on your nails, as you risk having the opposite effect to the one sought and chipping your polish.
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