Manicure 101

[Moo]

hi gals..... :wave:

i recall reading a post somewhere but couldn't find it when i did a search - sorry moderators if this is a repeated question.

can someone please tell me...
- what's the correct way to shake the nail polish before application?
- what causes bubbles on the nails after applying nail polish?
- how to prevent it?


Thanks thanks!!!

Edited title

[chiri]

what i observed from the manicurists are that they'll normally put the bottle of nail polish in the palms of their hands and rub it.. as in the way you rub your hands when you feel cold.. don't know if this is the correct way.

am interested to know the way to prevent bubbles too!

bought a bottleof nail polish from inuovi. nude color. but the color doesn't seem to glide on nicely.. there'll always be brush lines visible on the nail and the result is quite ugly. any way to make it better?

[Pronuptia]

- Roll the bottle upside down between your palms
- Bottle was shaken or polish was applied in overly thick layers, or bubbles formed when you wiped excess polish off the brush against the mouth of the bottle.
- Don't shake the bottle, apply thin layers of polish and allow excess polish to drip off the brush with minimal contact against the bottle mouth.

Edit to remove quotes. To ease reading, do not have to quote when it is above yours.

[queenie]

Got this off the web - Polished Tips

• Store polish in the fridge to make it last longer.
• Never shake the bottle – it makes your polish bubble; just roll the bottle between your palms and it will be mixed!
• Keep the polish from seeping into the cracks by first rubbing cream or oil onto your cuticles – then you can easily wipe off the extra polish.
• Buff your nails before polishing, and make sure they’re dry – wet or recently soaked nails will make the polish lift off the nail.
• Use only one coat of a light coloured polish, darker colours need at least two coats.
• Once your nails are dry, put them in ice water to speed up the hardening process.

[queenie]

Another similar one on Application Technique:

For best results perfom a basic manicure but don't apply hand cream as this will react adversely with the enamel products.

ALWAYS apply a base coat. This protects the nail (natural or otherwise) from staining and gives a good surface for your enamel.

CHOOSE colours that compliment your skin tone. The wrong colours can make skin look sallow. Buy the smallest bottle available as enamel has a limited shelf-life and store it in a cool place away from sunlight.

WARNING - Nail enamel is the industy's most hazzardous product. Applying it too closely or onto skin can lead to overexposure and allergic reaction. Where skin is broken it can lead to infection.

REMOVAL - Use NON-ACETONE removers only.

APPLICATION

Invert bottle and roll in palms of hands for about 30 seconds. Don't be tempted to shake the bottle as this introduces air bubbles.

Remove brush from bottle and drain off half the initial liquid.

Press brush onto middle of nail and push down towards the cuticle area, stopping to leave a 1mm margin. Pull brush back up the nail to free edge. This will leave a very thin coat on the nail.

Rotate finger and repeat for left and right sides leaving a 1mm margin at the sides and allow to dry comletely.

Apply the first coat of enamel in the same way. Keep this coat thin and translucent and allow to dry.

Apply a second coat of enamel, but a little thicker this time and allow to dry.

Apply a top coat to seal and protect the enamel using the same technique.

TIP - If you accidentally smudge the edge this can sometimes be repaired: Moisten (not too wet) a cotton bud in non-acetone remover and smooth it over the smear. If the damage it too great you will need to remove all product and reapply.

[en-q]

The easiest way of mixing the polish without causing bubbles would be to roll the bottle between your palms keeping it upright. If you invert the bottle, the polish will go all over the top of the brush and into the cap.

Another cause of bubbling is putting your wet nails too close to the dryer.

HTH!

angie

[Moo]

thanks thanks very much gals .....this information is great, i'm now enlightened.

[Tea]

Originally posted by Queenie
Got this off the web - Polished Tips


• Keep the polish from seeping into the cracks by first rubbing cream or oil onto your cuticles – then you can easily wipe off the extra polish.

Queenie, I don't quite understand this part. Can elaborate?

[chiyochan]

How do I prevent my polish from streaking? Are there any techniques? Practically all my light colours streaks on me! Help!

[babyflite]

chiyochan, there's really no technique to it. Just practise and practise more. Do keep the number of strokes to a minimum though, just one down the middle and one each down each side is best. Pale colours tend to streak more than darker colours.

[vixette]

Taken off rescuebeauty.com


RESCUE ME MANICURE
Serves One: 30 – 45 minutes
Ingredients:

1 bottle of non-acetone nail polish remover or disposable nail polish remover wipes
4-5 cotton pads or balls
dry face towel or three paper towel sheets
2 wet hand towels
plastic bag
small glass to sanitize implements
one bottle ethyl alcohol
clean bowl that fits your fist
sanitized nail clipper
fresh emery board or sanitized metal nail file
fresh orangewood stick
fresh buffing disk
sanitized nail nipper
sanitized cuticle pusher or stone cuticle pusher
cup of warm water (or milk, if you want to get fancy)
favorite cuticle oil or cream (or massage oil / olive oil)
hand scrub (see homemade scrub recipe below)
hand cream or any lotion desired.
basecoat
nail polish
top coat
shiny buffing file (if you want natural buffing)

[vixette]

CREATING YOUR PREP AREA (MIS EN PLACE)
Whew, that was some list of ingredients wasn’t it? I know it was more than you bargained for, but your hands and nails will thank you. This should be a relaxing learning experience, if you’re in a hurry and ritual is too old-fashioned for you, please go to RESCUE QUICK FIX. We’ll see you back when you have more time.

1) Since remover tends to strip the surface of wood varnish, plastic, lacquers, and synthetic fabric, working in a flat glass surface is ideal.

2) Once finding your work-station, place all the ingredients within close reach.

3) Make sure your surface is clean and use the plastic bag to discard items as you go along.

4) Put on your favorite music or enjoy the quiet. If you’re having a party, decide who will be the manicurist or client. Okay, let’s play…

[vixette]

REMOVING OLD NAIL POLISH
If you are having a manicure party, please go wash your hands or use and anti-bacterial wipe. Cleanliness is godliness.

1) Place your nail polish remover and cotton pads or nail polish remover wipes in front of you. Be sure to squeeze out all excess remover so you won’t drop any polish remover on your beautiful wood floor.

2) Remove your old polish without touching the cuticle. You should start at the beginning of the cuticle area, gently wiping in a side-to-side motion. Fold the cotton or disposable wipe to reveal the clean side, and repeat until the nail plate is clean.

3) Be generous with the amount of cotton you use—especially when removing dark colors (say no to polish-rimmed cuticles).

4) Don’t forget to clean underneath of your nail (also called the free edge).

5) Discard cotton or disposable wipes as you go along. Your work station should be neat and clean at all times.

[vixette]

KEEP IT CLEAN
If you’re at a salon or spa, a technician should apply an antibacterial hand sanitizer (or alcohol) to your hands and theirs—this step is a regulation in many states. If this is news to you, make sure at your next manicure you politely ask, "Do you mind if we both wash our hands before we start?" Or, open your anti-bacterial wipes, clean your hands, and ask "Do you want to try some?" If the technician has an attitude, patronize a different salon. After all, when a doctor enters her examination room, she washes her hands or puts gloves on—a manicurist should take the same precautions.

[vixette]

TRIMMING WITH YOUR NAIL CLIPPER
The nail clipper is one of those mysterious household items. Like an heirloom, it seems to get passed down from generation to generation. I have a close friend who stole her mom’s nail clipper during college and still uses it to this day. In fact, she shares it with her whole family.

A nail clipper is not an item one should inherit. Think about it: when was last time you cleaned it with soap and hot water? Better yet, soaked it in alcohol? Have you ever considered the germs that could be transferred from your boyfriend’s toenails to your hands? Yes, he’s your soulmate. Yes, he’s really sweet and cute—but share love, not germs.
Nail clippers come in two sizes, for hands and feet. Although you can use just one type, there’s a few things to consider:

Hand-sized nail clippers are easier to work because they’re smaller.
Toe nail clippers should not be used on your hands immediately after having been used on the feet—sanitize it first.
If you have weak nails, don’t use a foot clipper on them. Nail clippers should only be used when the length of the nails needs to be trimmed. If your nails are already short, please skip this and go to FILING YOUR NAILS.

HOW TO CLIP YOUR NAILS:
1) Place the mouth of nail clipper on the side edge of your nail, securing the free edge of your nail in the mouth of the clipper. Never start from the middle; it can cause breakage and splitting. Following these directions will also prevent the nail from flying in your face.

2) In a small clip motion, clip from one side to the other.

3) Make sure you’re not cutting the nail too short. It can break the skin and cause bleeding.

4) Take your time and look at what you’re doing. Don’t worry about the shape right now, you’ll file it later.

5) After you’re done, neatly discard all nail clippings in the plastic bag.