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
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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.
Air dry: It’ll take about an hour, and every object is a threat.
Smudge or nick? Put a little remover on your finger, and dab over the nick. Then go over that area again with color and top coat.