Q&A for How to Paint Your Nails

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  • Question
    Is it bad to paint your nails?
    Mia Rubie
    Nail Artist
    Mia Rubie is a Nail Artist and the Owner of Sparkle San Francisco, a nail studio based in San Francisco, California. She has over eight years of nail artist and management experience and is known for her push-the-envelope designs and artistic eye for colors. Her clients include Sephora, Target, and Vogue. Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and StyleCaster. She holds a BBA focusing on Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from San Francisco State University. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails.
    Nail Artist
    Expert Answer
    I can't imagine it's particularly dangerous, although it does help to let your nails air out without anything on them every once in a while.
  • Question
    What do I need to do a manicure at home?
    Mia Rubie
    Nail Artist
    Mia Rubie is a Nail Artist and the Owner of Sparkle San Francisco, a nail studio based in San Francisco, California. She has over eight years of nail artist and management experience and is known for her push-the-envelope designs and artistic eye for colors. Her clients include Sephora, Target, and Vogue. Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and StyleCaster. She holds a BBA focusing on Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from San Francisco State University. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails.
    Nail Artist
    Expert Answer
    So, it helps to own a set of manicuring tools, which you can buy online just in a kit. This should include clippers, nippers, a nail pusher, a cuticle pusher, a file, nail polish remover, cotton, and then a good selection of polishes.
  • Question
    How can I clean the polish up if I get it on the cuticle?
    Mia Rubie
    Nail Artist
    Mia Rubie is a Nail Artist and the Owner of Sparkle San Francisco, a nail studio based in San Francisco, California. She has over eight years of nail artist and management experience and is known for her push-the-envelope designs and artistic eye for colors. Her clients include Sephora, Target, and Vogue. Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and StyleCaster. She holds a BBA focusing on Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from San Francisco State University. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails.
    Nail Artist
    Expert Answer
    There is this product out there that I call a cleanup brush that's perfect for this. It's a fine-tipped, flat-headed brush that you can dip in polish remover and clean up around your cuticles. Then, you just wipe away the mess.
  • Question
    How do you use magnetic nail polish?
    Lindsay Yoshitomi
    Nail Artist
    Lindsay Yoshitomi is the nail artist behind the blog, Lacquered Lawyer. She was featured as one of Nail It! magazine’s “Bloggers You Should Know,” and has been on the cover of Nail Art Gallery Magazine. She has been practicing nail art for over 15 years.
    Nail Artist
    Expert Answer
    Start with a black base coat, which will help the color pop. Then, working on one nail at a time, apply a layer of magnetic polish and hold the magnet as close to your nail as possible for 10 seconds. Once you finish one nail, move onto the next nail.
  • Question
    How can I paint with my non-dominant hand?
    Community Answer
    Keep your arm rested on a stable surface and try to keep your hand steady. This may mean that you'll be painting your nails a lot slower than with your dominant hand. Also, try tilting your nail (on your dominant hand) from side to side while you paint it. This will help your non-dominant hand reach certain angles.
  • Question
    What are some tips for longer lasting nail polish?
    Community Answer
    Apply a top coat after painting, then do some touch ups when you get home if they chip. After painting, always apply a top coat to protect the nails.
  • Question
    How do I know when my nail polish is dry without actually touching them?
    Community Answer
    Look for that shiny and damp appearance. Nails, especially toenails, will have this specific shimmer to them when they're still wet.
  • Question
    How do you make your nails stronger?
    Community Answer
    Rub organic coconut oil into your nails and cuticles. It is a solid at first but if you rub it between your fingers it liquefies. For best results, apply twice a day--once in the morning and once in the evening.
  • Question
    How do I make a French tip?
    Community Answer
    Paint your nails the base coat you want and let them dry. Next, place some tape on each nail, leaving the tip exposed. Paint the exposed tip white, then pull the tape off. To make the tips more rounded, use circular stickers instead of tape.
  • Question
    What should I do if I want my nail polish to match my outfit but have no time to do my nails when I have a new outfit?
    Community Answer
    Allow yourself more time to get ready so you can paint your nails after you get dressed. Or you can try using fake stick-on nails.
  • Question
    What do I do if my nail polish is sticky?
    Community Answer
    If your nail polish is sticky, buy new nail polish. Otherwise, it will be hard to use and it will not look nice when dry.
  • Question
    What are some lightish dark colors?
    Community Answer
    Gray, brown, pink, purple, blue, teal, baby blue, aquamarine, green, and orange.
  • Question
    How do you dry them faster?
    Community Answer
    There are nail dryers and fast drying top coats you can purchase.
  • Question
    How can I do nail art?
    Community Answer
    Paint your nails the base color you want first, then let them dry. After that, you can add some special nail-art stickers, or paint on designs using nail polish and special tools. Read How to Do Nail Art for more information and ideas.
  • Question
    How long do I have to wait for the nails to dry?
    Community Answer
    That depends on the varnish you used. Some are quick drying, whilst others take longer.
  • Question
    What are the best colors of nail polish for lighter skin?
    Community Answer
    Go for a light color, such as pale blue or pink, as darker colours will clash with your skin color.
  • Question
    What if I get a fingerprint in my top coat?
    Community Answer
    You can either remove that finger's polish and start over or you can put another coat of color on top of the fingerprint (only if the fingerprint is on the color and not the clear coat).
  • Question
    What should I do if I accidentally smudged my freshly-painted nails? I thought they were dry!
    Community Answer
    Gently lick the smudged nail area with your tongue, and it will fix the smudged area instantly. It is a strange trick, but it seems to work for many women.
  • Question
    Should I let my son paint his nails?
    Community Answer
    Of course! There is nothing wrong with boys painting their nails. It's just another way of expressing their personalities.
  • Question
    How do I choose the right color to paint my nails?
    Community Answer
    Unfortunately all you can do is try out different colors to see what looks good. Buy cheap nail polish to experiment with, and when you find a color or colors you like, buy a nicer brand.
  • Question
    How can I get nail polish off without remover if I don't like the final result?
    Community Answer
    You can't, unless you prevent the polish from actually going onto your nails. For instance, you can buy a liquid latex, and apply it to your nails or wherever you think you might mess up. Paint your nails like normal and once you are happy, gently peel off the latex with tweezers.
  • Question
    My only clear nail polish says "top coat" on it, can I use it as a clear base coat?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use it as a base coat.
  • Question
    What are the steps for taking good care of nails?
    Community Answer
  • Question
    What are some good colors for darker skin?
    Community Answer
    Try to use brighter, bolder colours, and avoid nudes. Colourful pastels can look nice too, and blues, golds and oranges are popular for darker skin.
  • Question
    What nail polish colors look best with light tan or bronze skin?
    Community Answer
    Pink, blue, green or yellow will look best.
  • Question
    How do I keep my nails from smudging?
    Community Answer
    It might be tempting, but avoid doing anything that requires your hand coming in contact with anything else. Set a ten minute timer and occupy yourself with something else, like daydreaming. Those ten minutes will fly by.
  • Question
    How do I paint my nails and not the sides of my fingers too?
    Community Answer
    It takes a steady hand, and some practice. If you still happen to get some on the outside then just use some nail polish remover and a q tip to clean of the extra nail polish.
  • Question
    How can I make them look like fake nails?
    Community Answer
    With enough layers, the nails could appear to "lift" up, like many fake nails do. For a glossy/shiny look, use a clear coat on top of the colored polish.
  • Question
    How can I paint my nails if I have a cast on?
    Community Answer
    If you're wearing a cast, you most likely can't do your own nails. I suggest asking a trusted friend to help you, or just going to the nail salon.
  • Question
    How do I marble my nail polish?
    Community Answer
    Use an old plastic bowl and put drops of the nail polish that you want to marble into the water. Swirl it around with a cocktail stick, then paint liquid latex around your nails. Dip the front of your finger into the water to apply to your nail and then add a topcoat.
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