12 Common Errors In Your Manicure Routine

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Manicuring one’s own nails might not appear dangerous at first glance, but there are a few crucial steps that, if performed incorrectly, can damage your entire paint work and even put your health at risk (clipping your cuticles comes to mind). We sought the expert opinion of Simcha Whitehill, aka Miss Pop, one of the industry’s foremost nail stylists, on which polish recommendations should be taken seriously and which should be disregarded. In this article, we’ll reveal 12 common lacquer mistakes and show you how to fix them immediately. Please visit Maby blog to update the latest nail news.

Error no. 1: not utilizing a basecoat

Many individuals either don’t see the use in using a basecoat or would rather only buy one product. Bad news! The truth is that by properly applying the first layer of polish, you can increase the length of time your manicure lasts by at least two days. It’s the equivalent of a primer, explains Miss Pop. “The oils in your natural nails make it so that nail paint doesn’t stick very well. Before applying any color, a basecoat must be applied to prevent oil seepage.” A base coat that she likes to use is Deborah Lippmann’s Gel Lab. “I work with my hands,” she says, “so it’s a splurge, but I get 10 to 12 days of wear with it.” Orly Bonder Rubberized Basecoat and CND Stickey Base Coat are two alternate options. She goes on to say that using topcoat instead of a basecoat is ineffective because the latter is thicker, takes longer to dry, and lacks the qualities of a basecoat to effectively seal in your natural nail oils.

Error no. 2: cutting your cuticles

Even though you’ve undoubtedly heard it a thousand times before, we’ll tell it again: Miss Pop considers this error to be a mortal sin. According to her, “it’s a health issue because you’re basically cutting yourself open cuts on your fingers,” which may easily become infected. “Cuticles that have been cut tend to regrow looking gill-like and flaky, which is never a good look,” she continued. Miss Pop suggests you stay with pushing them back if you enjoy nipping for cosmetic purposes. She affirms that you may be proactive about it by saying, “You can do it once a week, too.” “The cuticles can be pushed back with an orange stick and a little cuticle remover or softener to create a smooth barrier. The orange stick can be used in place of cuticle remover if you find yourself in a pinch. Your body, however, requires that you maintain your cuticles so that it may function properly.” Also you can refer to: How to Remove a Hangnail and How to Avoid Getting One in the Future.

Error no. 3: not cleaning your tools

Clippers, files, buffers, and orange sticks should all be washed with soap and water on a regular basis to avoid spreading germs. Never seal your equipment in a bag, Miss Pop says, because that will only encourage bacteria to grow. Sanitize your utensils with with Barbicide or antibacterial soap after each usage.

Error no. 4: utilizing jet chairs

Pedicures in a massage chair can be very soothing, but beware of the jet basins that come standard with these chairs. Miss Pop warns, “You can’t clean the jets correctly, so bacteria can easily collect in there.” Hence, unclean jets produce unclean water. Such microorganisms are extremely detrimental to your foot health. The traditional bowl is the best option for a pedicure.

Error no. 5: using Q-tips to correct errors

The cotton on a Q-tip is notorious for getting trapped in nail lacquer and ruining a manicure. Miss Pop says, “Q-tips are just a nightmare.” She suggests an old cosmetics brush for more controlled touch-ups. She reassures you that a small amount of paint on the flesh around your nail is not a big deal. “A flat cosmetics brush dipped in nail polish remover can be used to quickly and easily clear up a smudge while the paint is still wet. Brushes with a filbert-shaped head are among my favorites to use when painting. If that doesn’t work, you can always just push the polish off in the shower.”

Error no. 6: applying paint in thick layers

Painters, be wary of globbing on polish; the longer it takes to dry, the greater the risk of smudges and nicks in your work. According to Miss Pop, “three or four thin coats of polish are always preferable than two heavy and gloppy applications.” “Applying the paint in thin applications will help it dry more quickly. Too thick of a coat prevents polish from drying properly.” Yet, there is some wiggle room when it comes to topcoats. She notes, “Topcoats are more forgiving when applied thickly and normally don’t take too long to dry, regardless,” but that too many thick coats can still cause bubbling. The pigment in the colored polishes must be what slows down the drying time.

Error no. 7: shaking the bottle of nail polish

Speaking of bubbles, here is the result of shaking your bottle. Miss Pop explains, “It retains the air inside, creating those small pockets.” “As you push the brush back into the bottle, bubbles can also form, so never pump the brush in and out of the neck. Always knead a bottle in your hands as though it were playdough.”

Error no. 8: painting nails in a hot or humid environment

Miss Pop always advises, “Never paint your nails during a thunderstorm.” It must be dry before you paint your nails, as excessive heat or humidity stops the polish from drying. Instead, always apply polish in a dry, cool environment.

Error no. 9: using quick-drying products

Although quick-dry polishes and sprays dry paint quickly, they also accelerate the drying of your natural nails. “If you want the healthiest nails, you should only use nail paint remover containing acetone,” advises Miss Pop. “Acetone causes nails to chip, peel, flake, and break.” She recommends using cuticle oil instead of polish if you find it difficult to wait for polish to dry. “If you have cuticle oil on your nails and you accidentally knock anything, the oil will function as a barrier and prevent the object from denting the nail polish. And once the cuticle oil has absorbed into the epidermis, you will recognize that your nails are dry.” CND Sun Oil and Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil are her favorite cuticle oils “because they are lighter and more absorbent than others.”

Error no. 10: using a back-and-forth motion when filing nails

Miss Pop explains, “Just as the hairs on a violin’s bow fray and become fuzzy when you move it back and forth, the same thing happens to your nails.” This motion creates microscopic tears and breaks in the nail, which can develop into full-fledged fissures and cuts over time. She suggests instead filing the nail in only one direction. “I acknowledge that it is a slower process, but you simply need to be more deliberate and purposeful with every stroke. I guarantee that this will provide your nail with an overall smoother and more refined finish.”

Error no. 11: letting your nails dry under UV lamps

In the same way that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause damage to the rest of your body, those purple bulbs can accelerate the aging of your hands. Instead, recall the cuticle oil method for drying. (See error No. 9.) “Anyway, those UV dryers typically have a fan element attached, so if you have time to sit, utilize that instead of the lights,” Miss Pop suggests.

Error no. 12: washing the dishes and hair simultaneously

“Hot water is the natural enemy of nail paint!” exclaims Miss Pop. Wait at least six hours before soaking your hands in hot water, as doing so will cause your nail polish to peel and chip. She recommends always wearing gloves when performing heavy-duty cleaning tasks, such as washing the dishes, and washing your hair with lukewarm rather than scalding-hot water. “As a general rule, if you want a manicure that lasts, reduce the temperature.”