Quick Nail Tip – cleaning nail art brushes

Cleaning nail art brushes is a pain in the butt but it is a necessary evil for keeping all of your tools in very good condition. I have found that sometimes, a simple cleaning with nail polish doesn’t always do the trick. I’ll end up with pigment still left in the brush. What I d is I swirl my brushes into a drop of clear coat. I always end up with tons of old bottles of goopy, old top and base coats and this is a great way to put them to use instead of throwing them out. 

Quick nail tip – thick nail polish

 Sometimes, when I am doing nail art, or something that requires detail on my nails, the polish can be really thick and that makes it difficult to work with. To thin it out, I like to use a very thin clear coat and add it to the polish that I am trying to work with. This tends to bring the nail polish to a consistency that is really easy to work with. It’s great! 

How I care for my nails

People often ask me how I keep my nails in good shape. These are the methods I use whenever my nails need some tidying up.

Removing nail polish

I always use Cutex brand nail polish removers. I have found that it is not harsh on my nails and doesn’t leave them dried out. I use qtips and dip them in the remover if I have any nail polish around my skin that I want to remove.

Caring for cuticles

I enjoy using cuticle softeners from Sally’s it’s really inexpensive and it gets the job done well. I use a cuticle pusher to push my cuticles back but I never ever cut them. Cuticles are there to protect from germs and bacteria entering under the skin.

Nail filing

I always file my nails down and never clip them. I have found that clipping nails can often lead to damage and splitting.

Moisturizing

I always moisturize my nails with cuticle oil, especially after I have used nail polish removal. I have found that sally Hansen cuticle oil products work really well. I also regularly use hand lotion to keep my hands nice and smooth

Base coats

I always use base coats on my nails before I polish them. They keep my nails strong all of the time and prevent them from breaking. They also help to keep nail polish from chipping off.

Nail polish

I swear by OPI nail polish. I think for the quality of their colors they’re actually really inexpensive and they always last for so long. Here is a list of the best nail polish brands. I am looking to branch out a bit to other brands!

Applying and removing gel polish

Despite what many people are saying, using gel polish is not harmful on your nails as long as you take the proper steps to apply and remove the product. Using these simple steps will help you apply and remove gel polish in a way that is not damaging.

Applying the polish

Give yourself a simple manicure and tidy up before you start. Make sure your cuticles are in good shape and clean your nails to remove any oil on the bed.

Next follow the instructions for the gel polish you are using to ensure that you apply it correctly. Depending on what polish you choose to use, the steps you need to go through may vary. Make sure to follow all of the instructions carefully.

If you have followed the instructions for your polish correctly, once it is cured under the lamp you should have a chip free manicure for up to 2 weeks. Once the polish begins to chip, or if you get sick of the color, removing the polish is when you have to be truly careful. This is where the damage will happen if you don’t do it correctly.

Removing the polish

Use a file on the surface of your polish. This will remove the shine from it.

Grab some cotton pads and soak them in nail polish remover. You will need ten of them, one for each nail. Place all of the cotton pads or balls onto your fingers and wrap foil around them to hold them in place. You’re going to look like an alien, but don’t worry it’s effective.

After soaking for about 10 minutes remove the foil and cotton balls carefully and your polish should be able to slide right off. If there is still some stuck to your nails you can use an orange stick to scrape off any excess residue. Do not force the polish off. Let them soak for longer if you feel that the polish is not being removed easily.

If you follow these steps your nails will be clean and healthy after removal of the polish