How to manicure

If you’re suffering from chipped polish, rough cuticles and brittle nails, you need to transform poor nail care into a beautiful manicure. Improvements for better-looking hands and nails are just a few tips away.

For starters, clean your nails well. Try to soak your hands for at least a few minutes in warm, soapy water to soften the cuticle and the nail.

If it is an option for you, dip your hands in paraffin wax, which seals moisture in your skin.

Next determine your desired nail shape. Do you prefer round nails or square nails? Some of this is style preference, but genetics can be a factor in making this decision.

If your nails grow out square, don’t fight nature, just file them evenly in a square shape. Next, keep in mind nail length. Long nails may seem attractive, but they may not be practical for your lifestyle, especially since long nails chip a lot and thus require lots of extra care.

Find a length that works for and then file the nail left to right, not up and down.

Make sure you file evenly or your nails will have rough edges and may appear crooked. Always use a buffer to smooth away lines, bumps and dead skin from the tops and sides of your nails. Be careful when buffing to not use too much pressure—you could end up wearing down the nail and thus weakening it.

You’re ready to paint! Choose any shade desired and make sure the polish is not too thick because it will be difficult to apply if it is. If your polish is thick or clumpy, try adding a little nail polish remover to the polish, shake it and see if the polish consistency becomes more pliable.

Apply a base coat, let it dry and then skillfully apply two coats of nail polish, waiting at least five minutes between application. Let the nails air dry for fifteen minutes or place your hands and nails under a heat lamp for at least ten minutes. Finally apply a clear topcoat to create shine and protect the nail polish from chipping. To maintain that luster, reapply a clear topcoat every two days.