15 DIY Manicure Tips and Tricks for Beginners to Nail It
1. Use Ice Water to Dry Your Nails
If you’re short on time and don’t want to ruin even the perfect nails just dip them into ice-cold water for 3 minutes and you have dry, touch dry nails in no time!
2. Save on the Cost of Removing Gel Manicures and Do It Yourself
Follow these simple steps to remove gel nails without damaging or drying your nails:
• Cut ten nail sized pieces of cotton pads and soak them in nail polish remover that contains acetone
• Place on your nails and wrap in tin foil to keep them heated
• Slide off after 20 minutes to reveal gel free nails
• Wash your hands thoroughly
3. Use a Toothpick for Nail Art
For Easy No Friil Nail Art (No Special Tools Needed) Use A Toothpick For Dots Or Simple Shapes!
4. Use Nail Polish Thinner to Extend the Shelf Life of Your Polishes
Instead of discarding bottles of thick nail polish that you think are lost causes, simply rejuvenate it with a nail polish thinner – they will practically be as good as new!
5. Store Your Polishes like a Boss
If you have a ton of polishes, paint the top of each lid with the color in the bottle so you can pick out the one you need without digging through your entire stash.
6. Reach for the Scotch Tape
If you desire that perfect French tips or straight lines for nail art, the scotch tape is going to be your new best friend!
7. Use Base Coat and Top Coat
You do not have to spend big on one of both, there are plenty of 2 in 1s offering. Applying a base and top coat will ensure that your manicure will last longer and look more professional.
8. Use a Cuticle Oil
This is because the secret behind great nails is a great base, so before you get your DIY mani started, use a cuticle oil to look after your nails.
9. Invest in Nail Art Stickers
If painting is just way too much stress and hassle for your nail art, invest in some stickers! Just top coat over it and you will get a seamless, painted on effect and naturally just the perfect finish.
10. Use Sharpies
If you are less good with a nail brush, maybe hack Sharpie is for you. Apply a coat or base coat first, then take colors and designs you wish and draw, finishing it up with a good top coat to prevent smudging.
11. Combine Matte and Gloss for Subtle Nail Art
For subtle, up close nail art that no one is likely to get too close to unless they are butting the other ones (in a non-social-distancing way, mind you), skip the full on out there nail art and go for a hybrid of matte and gloss topcoats (or colors) if you want a more salon-created appearance that doesn’t require hours of practice.
12. Use Hair Grips
Hair grips — a very cheap solution to your wavy lines, straight edges or polka dots if it’s what you are dreaming of!
13. Try out a Makeup Sponge
The Ombre nails is a great trend to experiment with at home as it is easy to achieve using a makeup sponge for the perfect faded Ombre effect with very little skills required (all you need to do is just dab into your nail Polish and onto your nail).
14. Use a Good Nail Glue
It is also good to get a strong nail glue if you only want to use sticker or gemstones, so that they will last longer. I can not stress THIS enough — never apply the glue directly onto your nail, always apply a base coat first for a protective layer between your nails and the glue.
15. Use Hand Cream
However, if you’re getting a bit extreme on these hacks and you’re covering your fingers and skin with a whole range of products, remember to always be moisturising your hands and nails so that they’re hydrated and look good.
That is 15 tried and tested DIY nail hacks, which one will you try first?
