How to Paint your Nails PERFECTLY

Who doesn't love a feminine set of perfectly polished nails?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nail clippers
• Nail File
• Nail Buffer
• Base Coat
• Colored Nailpolish
• Clear Polish
• Nail polish remover
• Q-tip

1. First, remove any polish that is currently on your nails.

2. Clip your nails and file them so that they're the shape you like, then take the nail buffer and run it across each nail a few times.

3. Now, wash your hands in warm soapy water. If you have a nail brush, scrub the tops and bottoms of your nails clean for good measure.

4. Take your base coat, shake it up, and apply it evenly to each nail. You can do this in about three simple strokes. One carefully on each side of the nail, then a quick and easy final one down the middle. Let this thoroughly dry.

5. Now take your favorite color nail polish, shake it up, and do the same. Apply in three strokes. Let this thoroughly dry. If it looks thin, that is fine. You can apply a second coat of nail polish, or third.

6. If there is a bit of polish on your hands, you can remove this by dipping your Q-tip in to the nail polish remover and very carefully wiping the paint off of your skin. It doesn't need to be perfect, because after you wash you hands a few times, it will come off your skin on its own.

7. At this point you may want to finish evening out the color and/or hiding mistakes you've made with the q-tip and nail polish remover with a final coat of colored polish. Let this thoroughly dry.

8. Now it's time to apply your clear top coat polish, which will give your nails added shine :o)

9. Now your nails look fantastic! Give yourself a treat by taking your favorite moisturizer and giving your hands and fingertips a massage! Better yet, have a friend or your significant other do it for you ;o)

Tips & Warnings

• If your nail polish is getting thick, add a little bit of rubbing alcohol to the bottle, NOT nail polish remover.
• If you want to speed up the drying process you can use a blow dryer, rest your hands in a blow of ice water, or lightly coat each nail with baby oil. But ONLY once the paint is dry enough that it wont easily smudge. If you use oil, be sure to wash it off before apply the next coat of polish.

[Susancnw]

on 2/5/2008 I like to use one of those 'block' nail files or finishers when my nails are totally dry to remove the polish from my skin. Turns out I am much better at doing it that way than with a swab and remover.