How to Make a Homemade Nail Job Look Professional

Trim your nails straight across before applying the polish.

A perfectly-primped set of nails is an enviable sight for many women. Having your nails professionally polished is no longer a necessity to achieve a flawless appearance. Instead of wasting your money at the salon, head to a grocery or department store to locate all the tools necessary to create professional looking nails at home. Use the correct products to prepare and finish your nails to keep them chip and smudge-free longer.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton balls
• Non-acetone nail polish remover
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 tbsp. liquid dish soap
• Orangewood stick
• Clear basecoat nail polish
• Nail polish
• Cotton swabs
• Fast-drying top coat
• Moisturizing lotion

Instructions

1. Soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover that does not contain acetone. Wipe off the nails to remove any oils, grease or existing nail polish. Do not use polish remover that contains acetone as it will dry out the nail beds and surrounding skin.

2. Create a mixture of 1 cup warm water and 1/4 tbsp. liquid dish soap. Soak your nails inside the mixture for five minutes. This will soften the cuticles, allowing you to push them back away from the nail beds.

3. Push back your cuticles with an orangewood stick. Use the stick to remove any dirt, debris or dead skin from the surface of your nails.

4. Apply a thin layer of clear basecoat to the nails. Allow the first coat to air dry before applying a second. The basecoat will smooth out the surface of the nails and give the nail polish something extra to adhere to.

5. Apply the thin layer of nail polish. Set your hand onto a flat surface and carefully apply a single swipe of nails polish down the center of the nail. Finish each nail with a single stripe down both sides. Dip a cotton swab into the nail polish remover to wipe away any nail polish from your skin.

6. Allow the first layer of nail polish to air dry before applying a second thin coat. Do not blow on your nails or flap your hands to help the drying process along. This will lead to air bubbles and imperfections on the polished surface.

7. Allow the final coat of polish to dry for 3 to 5 minutes before applying a thin coat of fast-drying top coat. The top coat will give your nails a glossy appearance while protecting them from chips and peeling.

8. Apply a thin coating of moisturizing lotion to the nails after allowing the fast-drying top coat to set for 60 to 90 seconds. This will provide an extra-boost of moisture to the nails.

References

• "Glamour"; Do Your Own Nails Exactly Like a Pro; May 2009
• "Cosmopolitan": Paint Nails Professionally at Home