Supplies
Tools
- Place mat or table cloth to protect the surface
- Nail file
- Cuticle pusher
- Little containers
- Nail buffer
- Dish for wiping off drops of polish
- Different nail paint brushes
Materials
- Hand care: soft almond oil, handcream, hydrating nail ointment...
- Hardening/ protective base
- Acetone-free polish remover
- Make-up remover pads
- Various polish colors
- Top Coat: Shiny, transparent polish that one cany apply motifs, glitter, foil and stickers applied to (and long-lasting).
- To fix any smudges :
- Cotton buds
- Toothpicks: Before the polish is totally dry, very carefully use the toothpicks to remove the surplus. Throw them out after each use.
- Corrective pen soaked with remover.
Directions
Base Coat
Takes care of your nails, makes them strong.
- File your nails to the form of your choice. Square or rounded shapes will change the character of your hands.
- Fill a little container with hot water and hold your nails in it for several minutes in order to soften your cuticles.
- Push back your cuticles with the cuticle-pusher.
- Buff the surface of your nails lightly using the nail buffer.
Manicure
- Apply the base in order to protect your nails fom drying and becoming weaker through too much polish.
- Allow the base coat to dry.
- Apply two coats of polish (color of choice) and leave 1mm on the sides unpainted.
- Create your design from the techniques pictured below:
- Make polka-dots, (ideal for beginners).
- Design droplets and flowers, (ideal for beginners). This can be used as a base for more intricate designs. Learn more here
- With a fine paintbrush or liner, make precise and careful designs or cuthin curves. A technique which demands some skill as you must not allow your hand to tremble!
- Decorate your nails with water marble. Put droplets of polish in water and then dip your hands in- each nail will come out with it's own design!
