Painting your nails at home is not only simple, but it can be a very inexpensive way to treat yourself after a long day. But to achieve the perfect, professional-looking result, it takes patience and some tips and tricks to ensure you get the best results. TIP #1: Lay Out Your Supplies Supplies from trusted team like dazzledryaustralia.com.au need to be ready and laid out in advance to be used one at a time. The first thing you’ll want to do is get your nails and the base coat on. You’ll also need a top coat, a clipper for removing hangnails and any other fingernail or toenail issues, cuticle oil or cream, a file, a buffer with a fine-grit side, and a polishing pad. TIP #2: Push Back Your Cuticle Next, push back your cuticle with a cuticle pusher. If you want to soften the area around your cuticles, use a moisturizing cream or oil before pushing back. Once the cuticle has been pushed back, you’re ready to begin painting your nails. TIP #3: Prep Your Nails Before you start painting, you should also prep your nails by cutting corners. Cut straight across. This will make it easier to use the clipper later if you need to. Also, clean out any remaining old polish and push back the cuticle again before you begin to paint your nails. TIP #4: Base Coat The first step in the painting process is the base coat. It’s a thin, transparent layer that lays down everything underneath and seals everything in place. It will help polish last longer. TIP #5: Paint Your Nails Next, it’s time to paint your nails. Because the base coat has already been put down, the polish will go on smooth and easy. Any extra polish can be wiped up with a tissue. Use the same polishing pad to clean up any minor imperfections. Wait until your nails are completely dry before applying another coat. When you do, remember to use the same color, not one that is close in color. It’s essential to have a color that is actually close to the color you want while it’s drying. Also, you can add a top coat once your nails are completely dry. Then, apply a thin layer of top coat and add any additional tips, if necessary, after that. Bonus tip: When you’re done, you can add your own personal touches to your nails to create a professional-looking nail. For example, try adding nail stickers, designs, and patterns to the tips of your nails for a fun and unique look. You can also add some bling by painting on rhinestones or crystals after your nails are completely dry. It’s little things like these that you can add to your nails that will help you turn heads. How to Protect Your Nails After You’ve Painted Them Protecting your nails after you have painted them is just as important as painting them. To protect your nails after you’ve done your nails, try these tips. TIP #1: Keep the Oil Off Your Nails The first thing you want to do is not get your fingernails or toenails oily after painting them. This will help keep the polish on for longer, and it will also help prevent staining. Also, try not to pick at your nails when you’re painting them. TIP #2: Keep Your Hands and Feet Clean Besides using a good base coat and sealant for your nails, everyone needs to clean their hands and feet. This will eventually prevent staining and any buildup on your nails that can damage them. There are many things you can do to keep your feet and hands clean without making a huge hassle of it. Simply wash your hands and feet regularly and after you paint your nails. Also, using a base coat that contains an antifungal treatment can prevent nail fungus from forming. This is especially important because nail fungus grows in warm and humid environments. TIP #3: Moisturize Your Hands Moisturize regularly. It’s essential to keep your hands well moisturized at all times. Just like your nails, this will help prevent chipping, cracking, and breaking. You can use different nail polishes that contain UV protection or sunscreen. Moisturizing your hands with a cuticle cream is also essential if you paint your nails. This will help protect your nails and make them less likely to break. You can also use cuticle oil to keep your cuticles moisturized. TIP #4: Wait to Wash Your Hands After Painting Also, don’t wash your hands right after you’re finished painting them. Instead, wait until you’ve worn off the polish. Washing your hands directly after you paint them can affect the polish. Wait about 30 minutes before washing your hands with warm water and soap. This will help protect your nails and prevent any chipping or cracking. TIP #5: Keep Your Hands Out of Cold Weather You should also try to keep your hands out of cold weather when you can. Cold weather can dry out your cuticles and fingernails, making them more likely to crack or break. You should also try to avoid extreme temperature changes. Wear gloves when going outside if it’s cold. Also, make sure you moisturize your hands and nails after a cold-weather outing. Doing so will help prevent chipping and breakage. TIP #6: Don’t Overdo It The excessive use of nail polish remover can also damage your nails if you’re not careful. The chemicals can dry out your nails and cause them to crack or break. Try only to use nail polish remover when it’s necessary. Conclusion If you genuinely want to get salon-like nails at home, then painting them is undoubtedly the way to go. It’s also a great way to get creative and add some personality to your nails. Just remember to have all of your supplies prepared before you begin painting. After that, it’s just a matter of being patient. It won’t take long to learn how to get gorgeous nails with the right supplies and a little effort. It’s something that anyone can learn and do in the comfort of their own home. Just take your time and remember that practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the better you’ll be and the more fun your nails will turn out to be.