Q&A for How to Do Nail Art

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  • Question
    What is the easiest way to paint flowers on nails?
    Marta Nagorska
    Nail Artist
    Marta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition.
    Nail Artist
    Expert Answer
    Start by making tiny dots in a circle on your nail. When the dots dry, put another dot in the center of the dots to act as the center of the flower.
  • Question
    What are good designs for people with shorter nails?
    Community Answer
    Good designs for people with shorter nails include colors with accent drawings, made with a nail pen or slim marker. You can also add small studs going up the side of the nail.
  • Question
    Do I have to use a clear coat first?
    Community Answer
    You don't have to, but it's a good idea too. It will help lessen staining and give the nail polish something to adhere to.
  • Question
    How do I paint short nails?
    Community Answer
    Paint them as you normally would, just make sure you stay away from the cuticles.
  • Question
    If I'm only putting nail art on a few fingers, which should I use?
    Awwkwardness
    Community Answer
    The ring fingernail is the most used nail for nail art if you don't want to do all of your nails.
  • Question
    Where can I find nail art ideas on YouTube?
    Community Answer
    Channels like cutepolish, totallycoolnails, and simply nailogical do amazing nail art tutorials.
  • Question
    Where can I get cheap nail polish?
    Community Answer
    Dollar stores have inexpensive nail polish, but it is often low-quality and risk in terms of the ingredients. It is better to spend more and own fewer bottles of polish, to be on the safe side and not put nasty chemicals on your nails.
  • Question
    I have tried water marbled nails, but the nail polish either sinks to the bottom or spreads out on the surface and dries. What am I doing wrong?
    Community Answer
    If the nail polish sinks, then you are probably dropping the polish from too great of a height. If the nail polish dries on the surface of the water, and you are unable to manipulate the design with a toothpick, try a different polish or a newer one.
  • Question
    What are some tips on filing nails?
    Community Answer
    Always go in one direction - it helps reduce breaking. Look up different nail shapes and decide what works best for you before filing.
  • Question
    Can you substitute something else for acetone?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use nail polish remover. I use a non-acetone nail polish remover, as just acetone dries out your nails. You can find it at any drugstore.
  • Question
    What are some tips for doing nail art on someone who has short nails?
    Community Answer
    Don't brush from top to bottom as you usually would. Instead, go from side to side, as that way you will get less on the actual finger.
  • Question
    What kind of water should I use besides tap water?
    Awwkwardness
    Community Answer
    You could try filtered or bottled water. Either way, always make sure the water is at room temperature. If it doesn't work, the problem could be with the nail polish itself.
  • Question
    Do I have to practice a lot to be good at nail art?
    Community Answer
    Yes! Practice makes perfect, and nail art can be especially tricky.
  • Question
    How do you keep your painted nails on for a long time and prevent chipping? When I try to paint my nails, they easily chip even when it's fully dried.
    Community Answer
    That's why we use a topcoat, to prevent chipping. If that does not work, maybe you are using low quality polish or maybe just add thicker layers.
  • Question
    What colors would I do in spring?
    NY Blossom
    Top Answerer
    Try doing pinks, light blues, greens, and yellows.
  • Question
    What do I use if I'm fed up with using nail polish remover to get rid of polish off my fingers after marbling?
    Awwkwardness
    Community Answer
    You could apply liquid latex or glue on the area around your nail, and just peel it off when you're finished.
  • Question
    I tried the water marbling and when I tried to make the design it dried in the water, what went wrong?
    Awwkwardness
    Community Answer
    You should work very quickly while water marbling because the polish dries almost instantly.
  • Question
    Every time I try to water marble my nails it doesn't work. What am I doing wrong?
    Community Answer
    It's possible that your polish is too old and not able to spread out in the water properly. You also have to take care when making patterns so the polishes don't "break."
  • Question
    How do I do the ombre look on short nails?
    Awwkwardness
    Community Answer
    The same way you do it on long nails, but use thinner streaks of polish on a makeup sponge and then dab it onto the nail.
  • Question
    I am pathetic at nail art, how can I improve my skills?
    NY Blossom
    Top Answerer
    Try taking a nail art class or watching nail art tutorials on YouTube. Start out with simple designs, like polka dots or flowers. You could also try buying nail art tools designed to help you achieve perfect nails.
  • Question
    What can I use to paint thin lines?
    Awwkwardness
    Community Answer
    A thin striping brush.
  • Question
    Is there a substitute for nail tapes? My mom says tapes are cancerous and I want a cheap alternative while respecting her wishes.
    Community Answer
    You can use any kind of tape, or anything that would cover your skin around your nails. As long as the skin doesn't touch the paint, you're good.
  • Question
    What do I do if my nails are yellow?
    Community Answer
    There is a very good chance you have a fungus. Just rub coconut oil on it a few times a day, and it should go away.
  • Question
    How do I do scales?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    You can paint your nails like normal and then take either nail polish or acrylic paint and a tiny brush and paint on scale patterns. You could also buy something called nail vinyls (sometimes called stencils), stick them on your nails, paint over them, then take them off while the polish is still wet.
  • Question
    I have tried water marbling many times, but whenever I dip my nail, it just sticks on my finger and looks weird. What should I do?
    Booksntea
    Community Answer
    Make sure you get your nail completely under the polish on the surface of the water before lifting it up.
  • Question
    Is there video tutorial for this?
    Community Answer
    There are many videos on nail art. You can just search on YouTube for what particular type of nail art you're looking for, and you should have plenty of options.
  • Question
    Can I do this with short nails?
    AwesomeZ
    Community Answer
    It doesn't matter if they're short or not. If they're cracked or broken, that's a different matter and makes a difference.
  • Question
    When I tried the water method, the whole design stuck to the nails. This means they never turned out. How do I get just enough for the nail on?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    This is a common problem. Water marbling is a very hard technique to master. When you dunk your finger in the water, take a toothpick or cotton bud and clean the excess polish around your finger. Then pull your finger out of the water. That should help a bit.
  • Question
    What are some nice designs for a black, white and gold outfit for graduation!?!
    Booksntea
    Community Answer
    You could do stripes or a flower. It would be best to use colors matching the ones in your outfit.
  • Question
    What is the importance of petroleum jelly?
    AwesomeZ
    Community Answer
    You put it where you don't want the nail polish. If not, your nails as well as your hands will be caked with polish.
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