2016 Jun 1
by Anuki Premachandra
Nail painting and nail care is not something that’s very common for an average Sri Lankan woman. Although as of recently, nail care seems to have taken its toll. There’s a whole bunch of nail salons and spas opening up offering exclusive manis and pedis to suit your choices. But sometimes, going for a monthly mani pedi can be a little too costly… Here are some tips to help you come up with your own nail care and nail painting routine every month.
- File your nails the proper way
The best way to file your nails is with a nail file. If you’re cutting off a lot of length, then it’s preferred that you snip the nails first and then file them. Always file the nail in one direction, or else it is likely to tear the tip of your nail and leave it jagged. Avoid filing in a back and forth motion. Instead, use a side to centre motion. This can lead to problems like your nail splitting, peeling and breaking.
When filing nails, opt for a soft file to prevent tearing you nails. Don’t file too far into the sides of the nail, it will weaken the nail, causing breakage.
Figure out what nail shape works best for you. Are they curved, squared, or oval? Below is a graphical representation to help you out.
- Use a base coat
Even though a basecoat can take you some extra time, it gives coloured polish something to hold onto. Base coat helps you protect your natural nails. A clear base coat helps the polish t stick to your nail more easily. It also creates a barrier that helps protects your nail from the damages coloured polish can have and it helps you in the overall clean-up process.
I’d suggest going for a base coat that’s maybe calcium or garlic infused that nurtures longer and stronger nails. Brittle nails are a deal breaker, and if you prefer longer, healthy nails, then a basecoat to support such growth is recommended.
- Use a white or lighter base colour
You’ve probably seen this in the many YouTube videos you’ve watched about nail hacks. Well believe it or not, this really does work. When you do apply a white or lighter basecoat, it makes the colour that you apply over it, pop.
What we need out of our nail colour is for it to be 100% opaque. A white base coat can help you with that. It acts as a blank canvas and shows off even the post un-pigmented of formulas. You wouldn’t have to keep apply coats over and over again for opacity again!
- The three stroke game plan
The three stroke method will absolutely help you achieve the perfect mani! All you need is three strokes to begin painting your nails like a professional. First dip the brush in the bottle and get a decent-sized drop of polish. Starting towards the base of your nail in the middle, push back, and then stroke out and follow the procedure towards the left and right. You don’t have to go all the way to as far as your nail bed, if you do note, in professional manicures, there is a bit of distance between the nail bed and where the polish starts. If it does sound confusing, the picture below is going to help you out.
- Apply thin coats
Have you noticed that when you get a professional manicure done, chances that your nails get disgustingly smudged the next morning when you wake up are low? That’s because your nail lady applies very thin coats of nail polish. No, don’t get me wrong, you need to apply nail polish three times over for best results. But when you are painting your nails, be sure to remove excess polish off your brush. Thin coats are so much faster drying compared to gloppy thick coats.
- Use an eyeliner brush for nail art
So here in Sri Lanka, we don’t really see as many nail art tools as we do abroad. Dotting tools, too nail art brushes, are either overly pricey or very rare to find. You can actually create your own nail striper or brush by cleaning out an old eyeliner brush.
Dip the eyeliner brush in some remover and once you clean up all the eyeliner off it, you’re good to go. Eyeliner brushes are super thin and a great save of money in comparison to buying a nail striper.
- Always use cuticle oil
This sadly, is easier said than done. There could literally be no shop that sells fancy bath or body products that I haven’t walked into and asked for cuticle oil. Some of the high end stores like Faceshop or Spa Ceylon do have nail moisturisers that work as alternatives.
Cuticle oil instantly makes you look like you’ve come out of a salon. It hydrates them and acts as a protective surface for your nails. It protects the nail against damage and improve the health and appearance of the cuticles and nails.
If you can’t a cuticle oil, then you can opt for an easier alternative. Coconut oil or Olive oil!
- Dip your hands in ice after the manicure
Not ice as per sè, but running your hands through some cold water after painting your nails helps your nails to dry up faster. Before you start painting your nails, fill a bowl with ice cubes or ice water. Once you’re done painting them, dip them in the water for about 15 – 30 seconds. It helps solidify your nail polish faster. After this is when the cuticle oil process follows.
- Keep your nail polish in a fridge
Keeping your nail polish in a cool dry, dark place is recommended. I know the rest of the members of your family won’t be very happy with your nail polish being stored inside the fridge, but every time you open an ice cream box with joy, your hopes are crushed every time you find pol sambol, so who’s the real culprit now, grandma?
- Roll your nail polish not shake
Okay, this is something we are all guilty of shaking our nail polish when it’s running dry. Instead, roll it back and forth between your two hands, holding the polish vertically. This makes sure there aren’t air bubbles in the lacquer or on your nails as you paint.
Shaking causes air bubbles and these bubbles can show up as tiny pinpricks on your nails when the polish has dried up.
- Always use a top coat
Do I even need to explain myself?
