Every girl loves getting her nails done! What’s not to like about a manicure? You get your nails cleaned and taken care of, painted in pretty colours or textured designs and sometimes it comes with a complimentary hand massage. However, the whole process takes quite awhile as there are important steps when painting nails.
An average manicure adds up to four layers of nail polish to make it last. The difference between using four coats and how we do it at home with probably one or two layers is all about the quality and time frame it lasts. When you skip a few steps, that’s when it chips off easy and it may not be worth your time painting it in the first place. The base coat is a must-have as it improves adhesion and prevents your nails from staining. Yes, some nail polishes causes your nails to stain, especially colors with yellow-based tones. It also helps enhance the colour of your nail polish with colour, and making it easier for the color to glide on your nails.
The first coat of colour nail polish, should be thin and sheer. Also it’s critical you do it right (no smudging, no lumps) because it lays the foundation for your colour. You will need to make sure it is applied smoothly and covers the entire nail properly. Nail polish can often bubble up, especially when you’re in a spot with a lot of air draft. This causes little bulbs to form on your nail bed, and it’s rather unattractive. So, apply your nail polish in an area with no fans or air conditioning, or anywhere with wind too.
Image: Favim
The second coat of colour nail polish will intensify the colour of the foundation coat you just painted. Paint it the same way you did the first coat, but make sure you seal the edge of your nails to ensure it lasts longer and helps protect the nail from daily chores.
Last but not least, the top coat. Top coats are designed as a form of protective shield for nails. It’s scratch resistant, strong and keeps the nail looking more firm and polished. Also, after a few days, if you feel that your nails have lost that shine, you can just add on another layer of the topcoat to keep from it chipping. You can choose from a variety of top coats, some have fast-drying power, some are formulated to make your nails stronger, or you can make a fashion statement with a matte coat.
Article by: Harmini Asokumar
