Polishing your own nails

[whitewave]

So while I’m sitting here waiting to get my covid results, I bought some Essie nail polish: base, polish and top coat. But after I was done my left hand, I had like single scratch marks on my nails. Did I not let it dry enough?

Are there tips and tricks to this??? Thanks.

 

[Queenie60]

Once the polish sets, you can run it under cold water. There is also a spray that will give it a "quick dry" I use the vinyl polish from OP or CND. They're pricey but I justify it based on all of the $$ I am saving!

 

[AprilBaby]

I ended up buying the Zoya naked manicure gel light with top and bottom coat. You apply the base, cure it; apply regular polish. Wait two minutes. Apply second coat polish. Wait 10. Min. Apply top coat and cure. Easy on, easy off. Lasted for a good week and uses any regular color between the top and bottom.

 

[pearaffair]

I read it can take 6 hours for nails to FULLY dry.

 

[whitewave]

I read it can take 6 hours for nails to FULLY dry.

Ok, this is likely the problem, lol

 

[whitewave]

@Queenie60 and @AprilBaby i will look those products up, thank you.

 

[bludiva]

one trick someone taught me was to lightly tap two of your polished fingers together and see if it feels sticky at all (don't do this for a while after you've painted them). the one time ever i was able to get a manicure to last i did 3 coats, with at least half an hour in between each, plus top coat. it was a hassle. usually my fingers are bare or a pale color that can be easily touched up b/c it's a pain whether you do it yourself or go to the salon imho.

 

[Ally T]

I use Essie polishes & then Revlon Quick Dry over the top. Works like a dream the shine is blinding. But even better than BOTH of those, I use my hands a lot & chip polish within a day, but not since Revlon. I actually have to remove the polish on my toes every 3 weeks to reapply because it grows off, despite the miles running in trainers each week.

 

[bludiva]

I use Essie polishes & then Revlon Quick Dry over the top. Works like a dream the shine is blinding. But even better than BOTH of those, I use my hands a lot & chip polish within a day, but not since Revlon. I actually have to remove the polish on my toes every 3 weeks to reapply because it grows off, despite the miles running in trainers each week.

Is the quick dry a top coat or a spray? Going to try that

 

[Ally T]

Is the quick dry a top coat or a spray? Going to try that

It's a top coat. It dries in about a minute & it's solid after 2 minutes. For someone like me this is a must, but the fact that it lasts forever is amazing - I definitely recommend it!

Eta: Removing it is tough - it needs a soak with the cotton pad to break it down, but I'll take that pain.

 

[whitewave]

It was raining when I polished them. I read online today to never polish your nails when it’s raining because they will never dry.

Today is hot and sunny and they look great.

But keep the tips coming!

My hands always look like a wreck and I want to work on having lovely hands. Thanks.

 

[Ally T]

It was raining when I polished them. I read online today to never polish your nails when it’s raining because they will never dry.

Today is hot and sunny and they look great.

But keep the tips coming!

My hands always look like a wreck and I want to work on having lovely hands. Thanks.

But you DO have lovely hands! And what's going down when it rains?? I live in England, so most of the time I am doing my nails when it rains, as we only get 3 months of summer Tomorrow it will be 34 deg C where I live. Maybe I will convince Mr T I need to do my nails instead of attacking the garden shrubs in my bikini as promised?!

 

[doberman]

I like Orly Won't Chip as a top coat. After doing your nails you have to commit to doing nothing for at least an hour. Dunk nails in an ice-water bath and then sit and read a book. This is after 3-4 days of being pretty rough on my hands.

 

[whitewave]

I’ll go put some rings on in a minute lol

This is Essie ballet slippers

 

[whitewave]

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

They complement each other
i couldn't see the polish in the first photo
I think the Queen uses your brand and colour

 

[whitewave]

They complement each other
i couldn't see the polish in the first photo
I think the Queen uses your brand and colour

Lol. Right. It’s always sold out so when I found out Target has 2 day delivery, I figured it would be a good nude to start practicing with.


I have more tools and manicure stuff on the way. I doubt I’ll be going back to a salon any time soon,

 

[stracci2000]

Paint your nails right before bedtime.
In the morning you will have a cool sheet imprints on the polish-----

 

[whitewave]

Paint your nails right before bedtime.
In the morning you will have a cool sheet imprints on the polish-----

Lol. Interesting idea.

 

[lilmosun]

Reading with interest...

Due to the pandemic, I'm doing my own nails for the first time in years. I always went for gels or dips because I could stretch out my visits. Even before I started going to the salon, I was using gels at home. I have the old UV and LED lamps somewhere, but decided to give my nails a break...so I cut them down and started using regular polish.

Got sucked into a FB ad and purchased Static Nails polish on-line. Not crazy about how it goes on but do like how it wears. I've found it best to let it dry for at least 10 minutes between coats.

I'm bored with the two colors I purchased originally so now looking at Essie or Orly. I will have to look at Revlon Quick Dry or Orly Won't Chip.

 

[lilmosun]

Paint your nails right before bedtime.
In the morning you will have a cool sheet imprints on the polish-----

This used to happen to me all the time ...why I bought a lamp and switched to gels (and then decided it was just easier to get it done at a salon).

 

[GliderPoss]

Paint your nails right before bedtime.
In the morning you will have a cool sheet imprints on the polish-----

THIS! Ugh happens to me all the damn time... Even though it's been hours between painting and going to bed.

 

[dk168]

I used to work in control environment where nail polish is not allowed, and would only paint my nails for special occasions, doing them myself.

I got used to bare nails and seldom wear nail polish to this day.

Went to a salon once to see what the fuss is about, and I could have done a better job for free, so never again.

I found a shade that I like some years ago, a cheapo iridescent one from Max Factor, a couple of coats would make my nails look dressed so that I could wear my more blingy pieces, and bulk-bought as many as I could find on the net so that I have spares.

No base or top coats as the colour is light enough not to stain the nails after a couple of days, and I usually remove them shortly after an event as I don't like chipped nail polish.

I would blow dry my nails with a hair dryer to speed up the drying process.

I would do my nails the day before an event, in early evening, to allow them to dry completely before going to bed to avoid making marks on them while I sleep.

DK

 

[Austina]

I do my own gel polish at home. At the start of the pandemic, I took off the gel and left my nails for about 6 weeks, but with all the hand washing and sanistising gel, my nails got really dry, so I’ve gone back to the gel polish. It’s so quick and easy to do and lasts at least 2 weeks, would last longer if my nails didn’t grow so quickly. I do have a break every now and then and put lots of oil on my nails before redoing them.

Romantique is a lovely light Gel colour if you prefer to go for something natural.

 

[stracci2000]

Went to a salon once to see what the fuss is about, and I could have done a better job for free, so never again.

Agreed.
Paying someone else to paint your nails seems silly to me.

 

[Smith3]

I just started to paint my nails since Covid, usually I have bare nails. I’ve been using opi gel in bubble bath and it is amazing no chips and The nude Color is so subtle

 

[1ofakind]

I do my own mani and Gel polish at home. I can't see paying for a salon when I can do it myself and usually have to change it for grow out than for peeling/chipping. It lasts a really long time on me even with a peel off base coat (which if I actually peel off it damages my nails so I use acetone and a cotton swab). My current polish must be near 3 weeks now with only one chip but my nails are getting too long so I'll do them tonight or tomorrow.

 

[lilmosun]

For decades, I did my own nails (starting with regular polish eventually moving to gels). I couldn't understand why anyone would pay a salon but I have done a 180.

About 10 years ago, I went to a salon on a girls outing and I liked how much better my nails looked...because I've never been great about shaping my nails, especially the right hand. So then I started going to the salon every 6-8 weeks, doing my own polish in between.

A couple of years later, I realized that not only did they do a better job but 1) I was also spending a lot on polish, etc at home because I kept wanting new colors (gel was expensive at the time) and 2) it took much less time for the salon to do my nails (they can work on the other hand while one is under the lamp, etc..). Admittedly, it was at a point in my life where I had more disposable income which made it easier to justify.

Now it's also relaxing/social as I got to know and truly enjoy the woman who does my nails (she's even met me at some gem shows, invited me to her house, etc).

--

On another note - I have bad feet - prone to ingrown toenails..etc...I would hide them in embarrassment. My doctor said I needed to see a podiatrist but warned me that sometimes they do more damage. Then the woman suggested she try first and if it didn't work, then I could go see a doctor. She has worked miracles and over time, I had normal looking feet for the first time in decades. Priceless.

 

[diamondringlover]

Been following this thread and I hardly ever polish my nails, what’s the point with all the darn hand washing but you all inspired me so off to the store I went bought some OPI “fishbowl” nail polish and Orly won’t chip topcoat, lets see how long it lasts lol

 

[AprilBaby]

Is fishbowl the color? I like it!