Many women are increasingly paying more attention to hand and nail care. However, not everyone can afford to visit the salon every two weeks. Solution: learn how to do a manicure yourself. The main thing is to try to avoid common mistakes.
Mistake 1: careless attitude to tools
Many believe that since manicure accessories are used only in the family circle, sanitation can be omitted. In vain! A large number of harmful bacteria accumulate on the cutting surface of tweezers, scissors and nail files, and this is not counting elemental dust. So there is a chance of infection even if you are the only one using the devices.
Correct:
Hold metal tools after work in a disinfectant solution (for example, Aktibor) for 15-20 minutes. Clean the nail file with a brush, then treat with a disinfectant spray, which can be bought at a nail service store. Store instruments in an airtight container after processing.
Mistake 2: file moving in different directions
Wishing to finish the procedure faster, many drive a nail file along the edge of the nail back and forth. This can cause the nails to begin to delaminate.
Correct:
If the nail is too long, shorten it with tweezers or scissors, and only then shape it with a nail file. Move it in one direction, for example, from the edges of the nail to the center.
Mistake 3: filing after soaking nails
Filing wet nails is another step towards delamination. So no "express manicure" after bath and shower.
Correct:
Remember, nails absorb moisture well and retain it for about 2-3 hours after contact with water. So plan ahead for a manicure before your water session, and don't forget to shape your nails before you soak your hands for cuticle trimming.
Mistake 4: Too much cuticle work
In the pursuit of accuracy, you can overdo it and cut off the excess. This will lead not only to visible consequences (cuts), but also to the fact that then the cuticle will grow faster, it will be rougher and thicker.
Correct:
See how professional manicurists work, watch the degree of their pressure on scissors and tweezers. You can do this in the salon, seeing the work of the master on the example of your own nails, or find an online course with videos on the Internet.
Mistake 5: starting processing with a "comfortable" hand
It makes you want to start with the easiest: if you are right-handed, work on your left hand first. This is wrong, because by the time you move on to caring for your working hand, you will already be a little tired, which means there will be even more chances to make wrong movements.
Correct:
Start the manicure with the little finger of the working hand, moving in turn to the thumb.
Mistake 6: Saving on base and top coats
Many people think that the base and top are pampering and it is quite possible to do without them. And not at all right. The base protects the nails from pigmentation and nourishes them, and the top coat will extend the wear of the colored polish and make the shade brighter and more saturated.
Correct:
Before applying polish, degrease your nails with a remover. Apply a base coat, let dry, then use your chosen color polish, preferably two coats. After the second layer is completely dry, fix the result with a top coat.
Mistake 7: Shaking the bottle of polish
Over time, the varnish becomes heterogeneous, part of the pigment settles to the bottom, so many masters even recommend shaking the bottle before use. But vigorous shaking will cause air bubbles to enter the polish, causing it to thicken and spoil.
Correct:
Warm the polish in the palms of your hands, rolling it a little in your hands. This way it mixes evenly without air bubbles.
Mistake 8: Applying too much polish
In order for the color to be saturated, you just want to scoop up more varnish with a brush. This is wrong: the thicker the layer, the longer it will dry, and the coating may turn out to be inhomogeneous.
Correct:
It is better to apply an extra (third) layer of varnish, but thinly, if you think that the color is not juicy enough after two layers of color coating.
Mistake 9: using a Q-tip for correction
Dirty skin around the nail? First thought: take a cotton swab and wipe off excess varnish. But it is highly likely that you will also smear the nail polish, because the stick is very large, and it is not always possible to carefully process the nail ridges with it.
Correct:
If you are not sure that you can apply the varnish accurately, purchase a special "liquid tape". This tool is applied to the skin around the nail before colored varnish, and after drying, it is easily pulled together like an elastic band.
