Tips for Perfectly Painted Nails

By Jane Ward

Finding the time to sit down and paint your nails can be tricky, which is why it’s especially infuriating when they chip the first time you leave the house. For many women it’s a luxury, and others a chore. 

If you find your nails are chipping easily there are a few very easy tricks of the trade that you can incorporate into your manicure ritual that can help the finished result last much longer.

1. Base coat

You wouldn’t paint un-sanded wood and the same principle applies to painting your nails. If your nails are especially ridged try applying a thin layer of fingernail ridge filler as a base coat. This will help the topcoat to go on smoothly and last longer. Ridge filler is available in most pharmacies.

2. Prepare the Polish

Before you begin painting your nails roll the bottle in your hands for about half a minute to warm it up. Don’t shake nail polish as this makes air bubbles form which could end up on your nails.

3. Straight even lines

Always wipe any excess polish off the brush between strokes. It’s better to paint thin layers and build it up rather than waiting for one thick layer of polish to dry.

Paint a line straight up the centre of your nail as a guide, then to the left of the line, go over the line again then to the right. This will stop bulky lines forming on the nail.

4. The Top Coat

It’s best to wait for about 15-20 minutes before applying the top coat of polish, this way you can see which nails need another coat and if there are any areas that need evening out.

5. Finishing touches

Once the coloured polish has dried apply another layer of clear polish over this. Paint along the very top of your nails – the part of the nail that would touch the table top if you are drumming your fingers – this can help prevent the polish from chipping if you spend a lot of time typing or texting.