How to Paint Nails Like a Pro in Minutes

Preparing to Polish

Pick the right polish. Not all polishes are created equal. Some have potentially harmful chemicals, and others just look downright bad. There are a number of things to keep in mind. Use a B3F, or “3 free” nail polish and base/top coat. These polishes contain no formaldehyde, DBP, or toluene, and are becoming a standard in the industry. They are safer than polishes that contain these chemicals. Glittery polish lasts longer. When looking for white nail polish, find one that is thick and creamy, not opaque. Quick-dry nail polish can be convenient, but it tends to dry out your nails.

File your nails. Position the file between your skin and your nail, and move it in short, sharp strokes in one direction. Never file back and forth.

Care for your cuticles. Push them down with a wooden cuticle pusher, but never cut your cuticles. Soften them with cuticle cream or olive oil. Apply petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the skin around your nails to protect them from polish.

Clean and buffer your nails. Use a buffer to buff your nails gently in one direction, in small strokes. Work from cuticle to tip. Use a nail cleaner to remove any dirt from under your nails, and wash them with soap and warm water.

Mix the polish. Roll the nail polish container between your hands to mix the contents together. Do not shake it, as this creates bubbles that make application a challenge.

Polishing

Apply the polish in three coats. Most of the time you will want a base coat, one layer of colored polish, and a topcoat. Sometimes very thin polishes will require a second or third coat of color before you apply the topcoat, but it is important to avoid using too much. If you are painting your nails a neon color, use a white base coat to make the color pop. You can use a clear polish with glitter as your topcoat for a little extra glitz. Glittery polishes also have the advantage of lasting longer.

Use the 3-stroke application technique. This is the technique that many professionals use. Done well, it makes the process of applying nail polish efficient and neat. Put a drop of polish at the base of the nail, slightly above the cuticle. Push the drop back a bit with your brush until it is almost touching your cuticle, then pull it in a smooth, straight stroke to the tip of your nail. Move the brush back to where you started, just above your cuticle. In another smooth stroke, swipe it over the curve of the left side of your nail. Repeat the same process on the right side of your nail. Erase any mistakes you make with a small brush (an old lip brush, for example) dipped in nail polish remover.

Make sure your nails are dry before applying each new coat. Soak your fingertips in ice water to help your nails dry faster. Let them air dry for a couple minutes, then submerge them in ice water for a couple more. The cold will sting a bit, but your nails will dry much faster, enabling you to apply the next coat sooner. Dry them gently but thoroughly before applying a new coat.

Preserving Your Polish

Let your nails dry. No matter what you do to try to speed the process up, nail polish needs some time to dry. Exposing them to too much wear and tear before they're ready never ends well. There are a couple things you can do to speed things up. Spray your nails with cooking oil to help the polish set faster, and protect against accidental smudging. Don't use a fan. It may seem like a clever way to dry your nails quickly, but it can cause bubbles in your nail polish.

Fix any smudges. It's hard to be patient, and while soaking your nails in ice water does make the drying process faster, it always takes a while for freshly painted nails to truly set. Most people smudge their nails at some point in the drying process. If it happens to you, just wet a fingertip with your tongue, and gently smooth over the smudge. The moisture on your finger will help it slide easily, without leaving fingerprints.

Protect your polish. Painting new layers of topcoat onto your nails as time goes on can help protect them. Apply more a couple times a week to make your nail polish last longer without chipping. A quick-dry top coat is especially good for this.