Q&A for How to Apply Nail Polish Neatly

You can, but I have found that doing so makes my polish more prone to peeling and chipping.

It would be perfectly fine for you to have fun and paint his nails. That said, depending on his age, it may be a good idea to remove the nail polish before he goes to school so that he can avoid potential bullying. Although bullying is completely wrong, it does happen. If he is emotionally strong enough to handle potential bullying, then he can probably go to school with his nails painted. It is up to you, your son, his age and his maturity and self confidence.

If you do not have a base coat and top coat, you can still polish your nails. It just won't look as neat as if you were to use the base and top coat.

It depends on the age of the child, but adult supervision is probably best at least the first couple of times.

Get some tape and carefully place it along the edges of your nails to block off the portion you don't want to paint. Brush the polish carefully onto the exposed areas, remove the tape, and let it dry.

Actually, it is a good idea, as long as you do it correctly. Use some sort of moisturizer (it doesn't have to be cuticle-removing fluid) and let it sit for 1 - 2 minutes. Take a wooden or rubber cuticle pusher/orange stick and gently push your cuticles back. Please don't cut your cuticles or use a metal tool to push them back (like at salons), because it actually hurts and you can bleed.

I am left handed too. The best way I've found is to sit at a table and paint your right hand with it rested on the table. It just gives you a steadier hand for applying your nail polish. If this doesn't work, try asking a friend for help.

You may apply white glue around your finger nails in the same way. Once it dries, peel it off.

Remove the ruined polish with a cotton bud dipped in nail polish remover. This will create a smooth surface for you to paint on. Paint over the area with the same color polish.

When you can see two layers with watery substance above and actual color below. Don't try to fix it, it won't work.

Get 1/2 a cup of flour and 1/3 a cup of water and mix it in a bowl. Put it on medium heat until it boils. Then brush it on.

It only applies with the petroleum jelly and glue part. Don't attempt to do a second coat; it will not work out.

Yes.

You should always use a base coat. It protects your nails from turning yellow. If you don't have a base coat, all you need to do is go and buy some.

You can, but ideally you want to use a base polish that can protect your nails from damage.

The petroleum jelly one works a bit better. Practicing painting your nails help a lot too.

To make the polish last longer on your nail. It's not mandatory to do so, however; you can use a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover and wipe around the nail to get rid of extra polish when you're done applying.

Yes, there's not much of a difference. You can also find 2 in 1 bottles of top coat and base coat.

The base coat is the first coat of nail varnish you put on.

Applying the glue is not a necessity. If you are good enough or you can paint your nails without the polish going onto your cuticles, you can go ahead and skip that step. The glue is just a preventive measure to keep nail polish from going onto your cuticles. Of course, there are other ways for clean-up of the polish that gets on the cuticles, but this is the cheapest.

Using a top coat as a base coat actually shortens you manicure wear time, which causes it to chip sooner.

It will help you push back and take care of cuticles, which provides an easier and cleaner application.

It won't if you keep it off of the nail. If you apply it on the nail, however, it will prevent the polish from sticking.

Ask a friend to help you or try painting it with your dominant hand on a table.

Definitely, that is fine to do. However, be aware that a base coat helps the polish stay on longer, so without a base, the polish will not last as long as with base coat.

When painting your dominant hand, rest your arm on a pile of books and keep your pinkie finger and/or ring finger on the table to keep your hand steady. Clear nail polish is a great way to finish off your look without it looking like a mountain. If any nail polish transfers to your finger, then gently remove it with water or a soft nail polish remover. On most skins, applying nail polish remover is not the best idea, so try your best to remove with water.

Yes, you don't need to do this step, but pushing back your cuticles will provide for a neater finish.

I have found that either one works just as well. The white glue might give you more room to see how much you are putting, as opposed to the clear glue.