Nail polish – a makeup element that plays a huge role in enhancing the beauty of your hands and feet. Nail polish is the cherry on the cake for your regular nail care and grooming routine. All of us love applying nail polish to give a makeover to our nails. But have you ever noticed that when some people – particularly professional manicurists – apply regular nail polish, the results are far more beautiful than when you usually do? Why so?
Those who know the right techniques of nail polish application get smoother and more evenly polished nails as against those who don’t. So if you are looking to get those salon-like manicure results at home, read on to learn more about how to DIY the perfect nail polish application.
What is Nail Polish? How to Use, Apply, and DIY
Oftentimes, we use beauty products in our daily routines and still have no idea about what they are and what is the correct way to use them perfectly. Nail polish is one such beauty product that is so common that it goes underrated. But it is literally the holy grail product to achieve professional-looking polished nails at home.
Let’s dig into what exactly a nail polish is besides discussing its types. Also read on to know interesting tips on how to use, apply, and DIY your nail polishes to make the most out of them.
What is Nail Polish?
If we go by the dictionary definition, nail polish is a ‘colored liquid painted on fingernails and toenails’ to beautify them. And that’s true. Just as lipsticks are meant to add tint and beauty to your lips and are a staple in your makeup looks, the same is the case with nail polish.
Having several names including nail varnish, nail lacquer, nail enamel, or simply nail paint, this colored liquid paint can be applied to human nails for decorating and beautifying the nail plates. Besides being a beauty element, they also add a protective layer to your nail plates securing them from chips and peels.
A nail polish is a significant part of any manicure and pedicure routine. Even if someone doesn’t know any other steps of the manicure or cannot do them well, they still know how to paint nails. But is it that easy? We’ll get to know it further in this article.
As of now, let’s understand what nail polish is made of. It is nothing but a chemical composition of organic polymer mixed with several components added for texture and color. It is created with a safe formula for human use that dries into a solid layer giving decorative properties to your fingernails and toenails.
Historically nail polishes were just painted in solid colors but as the nail industry has evolved, they have come up with multiple textures and finishes. Nail lacquers were always available in a wide range of colors but in modern times, different ‘coats’ of nail polish are available each with a specific use.
Different Types of Nail Polish
From base coat to top coat, and from glossy finishes to satin ones, there are several types of nail polish varying in uses and finishes:
1) Sheer Nail Polish:
These are clear polishes used for different purposes. Besides a sheer polish for a subtle look, these also include base and top coats. While a base coat is used for creating a ridge-free base for your nail polish, you can use the top coat to seal everything in.
2) Tinted Nail Polish
These are the usual ones that you find in various colors. Even tinted coats have different shades and tones these days that offer textures and finishes to die for.
3) Matte Nail Polish
A nail polish that offers a non-shiny velvet-like finish is called a matte coat. They are available in both tinted ones as well as a matte top coat to give an opaque velvety finish to any of your polishes.
4) Gel Nail Polish
The durable and long-lasting polishes used in professional nail salons are the gel ones. A gel nail polish is a chip-resistant polish curable under a nail lamp. When done professionally, it can last up to 4+ weeks without lifting or fading. It doesn’t air-dry but is hardened under a UV/LED nail lamp to set into a polished layer.
5) Glitter Nail Polish
If you’re into nail art, you’ve probably used glitter nail polish. These are clear or tinted sequin-filled coats that have fine glitter particles or glitter accents or both.
6) Art Effect Polishes
Other than the above, there is another type of nail polish used to add different effects and finishes. These include holographic polishes, thermal polishes, magnetic polishes, crackle polishes, etc.
How to Use, Apply, and DIY
A professional nail polish application differs from the usual one in the way it is applied, and the products and techniques it uses. But you can easily practice such a flawless application in your DIY manicures if you follow some simple tips and tricks:
1) All you need is three polishes – base coat, color coat, and top coat – other than your manicure kit to get started.
2) The first step is to always prep your nails. Remove old polish, push back the cuticles, clean up the dead skin, shape and file the nails, and buff and dehydrate the plate.
3) Once you’re done with the nail prep thoroughly, follow the 1-2-1 rule of polish application. This involves one layer of base coat, two layers of colored polish, and then one layer of top coat.
4) When applying the color coat, always apply it in three coats down the center of the nail. Apply one stroke in the center and one on each side. Always apply all the polishes in thin and even coats.
5) Avoid going too close to the cuticle to avoid flooding your color. Don’t forget the sides of the nails for an edge-to-edge application. Also, make sure you cap the free edge of the nail to seal the product.
6) Allow all the layers to dry between coats. Since nail polishes are air-dry, they take a few seconds or minutes to completely dry out and be ready for the next coat.
7) This is the typical process followed generally for nail polish application. You can tweak the procedure depending on your nail art requirements or the opaqueness of the polish.
Wrapping Up Nail Polishes
Mastering the art of nail polish application can transform your at-home manicures from ordinary to salon-worthy. Whether you’re a newbie learning the basics or a seasoned pro exploring new DIY techniques, understanding what is nail polish and how to use, apply, and DIY it empowers you to create stunning nail art with confidence. Remember, practice makes perfect, and with each stroke of the brush, you’ll refine your skills and discover your unique nail aesthetic.
So, gather your tools, unleash your creativity, and let your nails become the ultimate canvas for self-expression!
