How to Apply Nail Polish: Guide + Tips

Let me be honest for a second - the first few times I tried to do my nails, I failed miserably. So if you’re in the same boat, don’t feel bad.

Painting nail polish perfectly takes time, patience, and practice, and most people won’t get it right the very first time.

That doesn’t mean you should give up, though.

Instead, you should check out my handy how-to guide on how to apply nail polish, so they look absolutely fabulous and ready for the upcoming party or work event.

How to Apply Nail Polish in Five Easy Steps

If you’re craving beautiful nails, I’m here to help. And don’t worry - even though you may have had some mishaps along the way, this guide will put an end to your nail woes in no time.

1. Prep The Nails

Prepping the nails is essential. Without prepping, your nail polish application will come out looking sloppy.

It may even be challenging to get the nail polish to adhere in the first place.

It all starts with a nail surface that’s ready to be painted. Here’s how to do it:

• Remove old nail polish using a nail polish remover. Don’t even think about applying nail polish over old polish. That’s a big no-no. Remove it with nail polish remover.
• Trim your nails to the desired length. I like to keep my manicure on the short side, but don’t hesitate to customize your nail length how you want them.
• Smooth the edges with a nail file into your desired shape. Next up is shaping with a nail file. You can go with a round, oval, square, or other forms.
• Buff the nail surface. Use a slightly abrasive buffer for buffing the nail plate. Remember - you need a somewhat rough surface for nail polish to adhere to. Don’t overdo it, though.

2. Prep the Cuticles

Now that you’re done prepping the entire nail, you can work on the cuticle.

The cuticle is the thin layer of skin that hangs around the border of your nail.

The cuticle is vital to keep intact, but it shouldn’t get in the way of your nail polish.

Here’s how to take care of your cuticle correctly.

• Soak the nails. When you’re happy with the way your natural nails look, you will want to soak them in a bowl of warm water. This will soften the cuticles.
• Push the cuticles. Push the cuticle of all fingernails back with a cuticle pusher or orange stick. Do not clip the cuticle as this can cause damage.
• Moisturize the nails and surrounding skin. To avoid dry nails and skin, you can use cuticle oil or another moisturizer such as lotion.
• Remove oil, moisture, etc. Last but not least, dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and wipe away the oil, moisture, etc., from the nails and skin. Otherwise, it will hinder your nail polish from adhering.

3. Apply a Base Coat

Base coats are essential for many reasons.

For one, the base coat works to strengthen and protect the natural nail.

Secondly, the base coat extends the longevity of your manicure.

Thirdly, a good base coat will reduce the chance of chipping, peeling, and other undesirable mishaps that can occur on your fingers.

To apply, do the following:

• Open the bottle.
• Swipe the brush against the bottle to remove excess base coat product.
• Apply a coat to the nail.
• Wait for it to dry completely before moving on.

Tip: Some people apply petroleum jelly or white glue around the edges of their nails. This will ensure that you can apply polish like a pro without polish all over your fingertips.

4. Apply the Nail Polish

Now it’s time for the fun part: applying the nail polish! Do the following steps to create a “professional manicure” like a nail artist.

• Open the bottle and wipe the brush against the opening to remove excess polish.
• Drop a dollop of nail polish at the base of the nail. Don’t use too much. You should end up with a thin coat.
• Start painting the nail by doing one, even swipe from the cuticle to the tip.
• Perform two additional swipes to cover the rest of your nail.
• After the first coat is dry, you can move onto the second coat - apply the nail polish the same way.
• Continue to apply the polish until you have an even coat on all of your nails.

If you’re feeling fancy, now would be the time to apply any desired nail art. Nail art can be as simple or lavish as you want.

5. Apply the Top Coat

The final step is to apply a top coat polish. A top coat is essential to ensure a lustrous and shiny finish. Applying is a cinch, too. Here’s how to do it.

• As always, open the bottle and remove excess polish.
• Apply a thin coat of the top coat to the nails, the same way you applied the first and second coat of polish.
• Once your nails are covered with a generous amount of top coat, soak them in ice water to cure the polish entirely.

When you’re all done, you can rub off any polish that found its way onto your skin. You can wipe it off using a q tip soaked in nail polish remover.

You will also want to remove any petroleum jelly or glue used to apply nail polish like an expert.

FAQs

How do you apply nail polish without messing up?

Applying vaseline or glue to your nails is the best way to ensure a great application without messing it up.

Also, make sure you are applying polish in one direction.

How many coats of nail polish should you do?

You should always have at least two coats of paint on your nails. However, a third layer of paint is recommended for the best results.

How long should I want in between coats?

Tips must be dried before applying another coat. Wait approximately two minutes before applying another coat. Otherwise, you can smear it and mess it up.