As you know, nails are extremely expensive. Before Super Bowl Sunday, I really wanted to get my nails done, but unfortunately, I didn’t have any time to go to a nail salon. Luckily, for me, my roommate loves doing nails. She was really good at them. Well, decent, technically. But they turned out so good. What I learned is that it is not very difficult to do your nails at home instead of paying so much money for nails.
So, here are some beginner tips that I learned and noticed from when she did my nails!
She actually began by cutting my nails and filing them down. Which I highly recommend doing first. According to Oprah.com, the reason why you should file your nails down first is “to make sure they are completely dry.” Filling wet nails can cause splitting. Rounded nails (mirroring the shape of your cuticle) that extend just over the edge of the fingertip always look elegant.
The second step is to “Soak Your Nails.”
Apply a rich hand cream. Then, soak your nails in warm, soapy water for five minutes to soften the cuticles. (One hand at a time if you want to flip through a magazine or play on your iPad.)
3. “Push Back Your Cuticles”
Push back your cuticles with a wet nail stone. If you have a hangnail, trim it; otherwise, don’t clip cuticles (they protect nails from infection).
4. “Apply a Base Coat”
It helps the color go on smoothly and last longer. Try OPI Natural Nail Base Coat. Or, if your nails have ridges, Essie Ridge Filling Base Coat.
5. “Brush On Two Coats Of Color”
Brush on two thin coats of color, waiting a couple of minutes after each hand. Use three strokes on each nail-on either side of the nail, then a swipe of color across the tip to prevent chips.
6. “Apply A Top Coat”
Singleton likes CND Air Dry, which helps cut drying time. Don’t forget to swipe the top coat across the top of each nail as well, as you did with the color.
7. “Clean Up Any Smudges”
Clean up any color outside the edges of your nails with an orange stick wrapped in a thin layer of cotton and dipped in polish remover.
(P.S. Just find an UV Light which works wonder for when you are trying to get your nails to dry faster.)
Many websites have their own personal recommendation but do they help well it works for everyone.
Next, let’s talk about the color of nails. Choosing a particular color is very difficult well at least for me. I am a very indecisive person. Personally, I always choose a color that is going along for the theme of the event that I am attending because if I don’t, then it won’t really work.
There are many different colors to do your nails. I would start by looking for the most basic and common colors and go from there. It’s very helpful and useful. Especially, if you are barely starting out! Practice makes perfect.
It definitely helps if you have a roommate who can help you out as well.
Even if your nails look bad, don’t criticize them because you won’t get better unless you try really hard. Keep your head up and just keep trying. I am going to try to learn how to better myself so I don’t have to pay so much money for my nails.
I am going to be honest, I don’t have the money to even get my nails done. Being a college student is a lot harder than it looks. I hope these tips will help you in the future. Especially, if you don’t want to pay for expensive nails.