How to apply nail colour

To achieve to top paint job that lasts, try these expert instructions on how to apply nail colour.

There are some important steps when applying nail polish to ensure it stays on and lasts.

	PREP THE NAIL Prepare nail surface - use an acetone free polish remover to remove any oil or lotion, ensuring the nail plate is free of grease or dirt. Wash and dry hands.
	BASE COAT Apply base coat to dry nails and let dry
	APPLY COLOUR Apply 1 to 2 coats (depending upon what type of polish you are using or depth of colour desired) of colour polish. Apply the polish lightly and quickly using sweeping strokes. Start from the base to the free edge in the order shown in the illustration. Polish should be thin enough to flow freely. Apply the first coat of polish thinly - any streaks will even out with the second coat. Keeping the polish coats thin is the secret to prevent chipping!
	LET DRY Make sure that you allow nail polish to be touch dry in between coats.
	TOP COAT Apply a top coat such as our Diamond Shine to get a high shine finish and prolong the life of your polish. Re-apply it every two days to keep the fantastic shine and extra protection from chipping. In order to speed up the drying time, use Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Speed Dry Drops, which speed up drying time and protects nail colour as it dries to prevent smudges.

To ensure even coverage, start by wiping any excess polish from the brush on the inner rim of the bottle.
In trick to making extra short nails look good when wearing dramatic or dark shades: always leave a 16th of an inch border around your cuticle and along the sides of the nail. This forms a 'frame' around the colour which creates an optical illusion that the nail itself extends beyond the polish, making it look longer.
To save nail polish that has gotten overly thick, pour a few drops of nail polish thinner and shake.
To correct any mistakes: use a cotton bud or orange stick wrapped in cotton wool, soaked in nail polish remover.
Never peel off nail polish with your fingernails - the top layer of your nails can come with it.

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