Tips for Nail Polish to Be Better

The skin on your fingertips is one of the most sensitive places on your body, which means your nails get drenched in sweat a lot. And if you spend a ton of time outdoors, your hands inevitably get wet and cracked and need to be manicured. So, how do you keep your digits from looking like cracked sponges?

If you’ve spent the past few months trying to find the perfect way to style your talons, you may be frustrated when the pain of those creaky old nails becomes too much to handle and ruin your manicure. But the frustration is easily avoided thanks to these expert tips and tricks.

Up Your Fingertips

When you want to leave a pattern behind in your nails, your thumb goes first, then your index finger and little fingers. When you want a smooth, even finish, the top manicure should be done on the smaller knuckles.

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Choose a Pinchable Tail

It’s super easy to create an intricate, precise design when you line up your nails to make them look thicker and taller. But when it comes to straight nail arching, it’s best to line them to the outside of your knuckles. A pinchable tail allows you to give your nails more length and create a thicker edge.

Think Outside the Claw

Ouch! One of the hottest trends at the moment is to cut your nails with a key that resembles a claw. And while it has the benefit of securing your nails in place, it is nearly impossible to find a high-quality claw design that has the right amount of grip (aka, enough to hold your nail, nail clippers, and brush all together). So if you want to go claw-forward, bite off your own nail with a wet nail file and then use the brush to do your nails.

Keep an Open-End

Always don’t lightly apply nail polish to a cracked, dry nail. If you do, there’s a slim chance you’ll go ahead and stick that polish all over your entire nail. Instead, pick at the crack to make sure it’s safe to paint on before pulling out your polish (polishing your nails is the number one nail-care trick). You should be able to slip it through the crack like a wand.

Toss in a Little Pins

This tip may sound like a joke, but when you paint your nails, as much as you want to stick with a neutral, neutral base, you should be able to see the point of the polish you’re wearing and pin a triangle on each nail to define it, and then fill in with a contrasting color. Think of it as a sketchpad for your nails.

Keep Your Nails Fresh

Remember: warm weather is supposed to be hot! Keep your nail polish fresh with a brush or polish remover like Joico’s BONO polish remover, a synthetic toothpaste that superhydrates your nails.