Tips&Tricks for Doing basic nails.

I decided to do a quick tutorial on how to do basic nails. No acrylics or gels or anything, which I will do later, but simply painting your own nails. I also added a few tips I have picked up. 

Okay, so to begin you will need five things. (Yes I know the picture is sideways). So you will need nail polish remover. For this I am using grape scented 'Remove It' wipes (nail polish remover pads) from Sportsgirl ($6.95). You will also need Vaseline (I got a baby tub for $2.95). Also small buds (Q-Tips) and a nail cleaner/cuticle pusher (which I got in a fake nail kit). Obviously you will need nail polish and today I am using just a cheapie from Rubi Shoes in the shade spearmint ($4.95).
So first you are going to need to fully clean your nails. My nail polish was ruined the night before when I picked at it on the long journey home from Brisbane. And yes my nails are short, I am in the process of growing them out again as they got weakened at work. You used to only be able to use a cotton ball and liquid nail polish remover which smelt terrible and would sting if you had any small cuts around your nails. What I find best is to use nail polish wipes. A lot of different companies use them but I chose the scented ones from Sportsgirl. A friend of mine uses one wipe per finger nail but I use one wipe per hand. So with the wipes, what I do is place the wipe on the nail and then rub the polish off...simple.

After this, soak your hands in a bowl of luke warm water. It will remove any nail polish remover remaining and soften your cuticles. Dry your hands and clean under the nails with a nail cleaner (I used the pointed end of my cuticle pusher). Then gently push back your cuticles with the slanted end of the pusher. The cuticles are the little bits of skin that cover your nails. Make sure to be really gentle when doing this. The picture on the left is after I have fully done all of this.

Next is the Vaseline. I like to use paw paw cream as Vaseline is made from petroleum (petrol), but I ran out. Using the Q-tip dip it generously into the Vaseline and run it around the nail, as close as possible to the nail itself. By doing this it stops any excess nail polish from going on the skin and can be easily removed. Use the other end of the Q-tip to wipe off any excess that makes it's way onto the nail.
Apply the first coat of nail polish. Some people start from the outside but i like to do one strip down the middle then the outer sides. Allow to fully dry before adding the next layers. To dry the first layer quicker you can run the nails under gentle running cold water.


As you can see in the photo on the right I have applied two coats and have made a bit of a mess around the nail. Keep applying as many coats as necessary to get the depth you need/want. After the last layer has been applied dip your fingers into a bowl of ice cold water. This dries the nail polish quicker. Keep your fingers there for around 2-5 minutes.
Dry your hands and then using a Q-tip carefully removed the vaseline around the nails. Hopefully the nail polish should go with it.

Once you are done your nails should look like mine do on the left. I will be doing another tutorial soon on how to apply your own fake nails and also another just like this once my nails are longer.
I am not the best at applying nail polish but hopefully you have picked up some tricks.


Stay beautiful.
Accidently Sarah xx