Polish Your Nails
Step #1: Prep
Cut
You decide what’s too long for you. The darker or bolder the polish, the shorter the nail.
File
Only in the direction the nail grows, so you don’t weaken it. File sides straight, and corners
round to match the cuticle’s curve in reverse.
Clean
Use nail polish remover, whether there is polish to remove or not. It helps the future polish last
longer. Really, it does.
Step #2: The Cuticle
The easiest way to push back the cuticle: with a towel when you get out of the shower. You can
also use a cuticle stick.
Never: bite your cuticles. If you have itty bits of skin hanging around your nails, nip it off with a
cuticle snipper.
Step #3: The Base Coat
Always apply one. The ridge-filler that’s part of the formula will smooth your nails and ready
them for the color.
Application
Paint three fat stripes, first down the middle, then one on either side.
Step #4: The Polish
Be sure to only dip your brush once per nail. If you double-dip for one nail, the polish might end
up pooling.
First coat
Hold the flat side of brush parallel to your nail, don’t come down from above — this is key to
get the widest swath. Stroke the lacquer down the middle of the nail in a single sweep, then repeat on
either side of the nail, again in single strokes. Do all 10 nails.
Second coat
Make like you’re swatting flies for a minute or two after the first coat, then repeat for second
coat.
Step #5: The Top Coat
Always. Always. Always. You might want to add a topper every two to three days, to keep your
nails super glossy. If you type a lot, be sure to pull the top coat all the way over the tip.
Step #6: Drying Time
Product
Quick-dry solution — drops or spray — usually dries nails within minutes.
Step #1: Prep
Cut
You decide what’s too long for you. The darker or bolder the polish, the shorter the nail.
File
Only in the direction the nail grows, so you don’t weaken it. File sides straight, and corners
round to match the cuticle’s curve in reverse.
Clean
Use nail polish remover, whether there is polish to remove or not. It helps the future polish last
longer. Really, it does.
Step #2: The Cuticle
The easiest way to push back the cuticle: with a towel when you get out of the shower. You can
also use a cuticle stick.
Never: bite your cuticles. If you have itty bits of skin hanging around your nails, nip it off with a
cuticle snipper.
Step #3: The Base Coat
Always apply one. The ridge-filler that’s part of the formula will smooth your nails and ready
them for the color.
Application
Paint three fat stripes, first down the middle, then one on either side.
Step #4: The Polish
Be sure to only dip your brush once per nail. If you double-dip for one nail, the polish might end
up pooling.
First coat
Hold the flat side of brush parallel to your nail, don’t come down from above — this is key to
get the widest swath. Stroke the lacquer down the middle of the nail in a single sweep, then repeat on
either side of the nail, again in single strokes. Do all 10 nails.
Second coat
Make like you’re swatting flies for a minute or two after the first coat, then repeat for second
coat.
Step #5: The Top Coat
Always. Always. Always. You might want to add a topper every two to three days, to keep your
nails super glossy. If you type a lot, be sure to pull the top coat all the way over the tip.
Step #6: Drying Time
Product
Quick-dry solution — drops or spray — usually dries nails within minutes.
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