We get it. Figuring out the best way to care for and treat your nails can feel harder to navigate than the Amazon jungle. That’s why so many people end up making the same common mistakes in the pursuit of beautiful, well-groomed hands and nails. We’re here to help you avoid them. In this post, we’ll guide you through the classic slip-ups many people make with their nails — and show you how to steer clear of them.
The first mistake is one that many of us make. A lot of people forget to properly clean and prepare their nails before applying nail polish. If you are already wearing nail polish, it goes without saying that you should remove the old polish before applying a fresh coat. But many people forget that even if their nails look clean and ready for polish, they still need to be cleaned first.
This is because natural oils are often present on your nails, usually transferred from the skin on your fingers. These oils can make it harder for your nail polish to adhere properly to the nail, which can reduce its longevity. That is why we recommend cleaning your nails thoroughly before you start applying your nail polish. For this, you can use Nailster Cleanser Plus or Nailster Polish Remover.
Many of us mistakenly believe that our cuticles shouldn’t be there. In fact, they are designed to form a protective barrier between the nail and your skin, and this barrier helps keep bacteria away from the skin. When you cut your cuticles too aggressively, you damage this barrier.
That’s why we recommend using a Nailster cuticle pusher instead to gently push the cuticles back. An extra tip is to do this right after a shower, when the skin is softer and more pliable. Only use the cuticle nipper if your cuticles are loose on the nail plate. Always be careful not to cut into living tissue, as this can lead to infections and sores around the nails.
Sometimes your nails simply need a proper refresh, and if you don’t take your time, it’s easy to forget an important step in the process – your base coat. A base coat should always be applied as the very first layer of polish. It helps prevent your nails from becoming stained by your coloured polish. An added bonus is that it extends the wear of your nail polish. So no matter how busy you are, you should never skip applying a good base coat to your nails.
When it comes to the amount of nail polish, how much should you actually use? The answer is: Less is more. It can be incredibly tempting to apply one thick coat of nail polish instead of two thinner coats. But it's not the best idea. A thick coat of nail polish rarely gives you the best result. First of all, a thick coat takes much longer to dry, which often leads to dents and an uneven-looking finish.
That's why you should only have just enough nail polish on your brush to cover the nail, and always apply two coats using this amount. When we recommend applying two coats of nail polish, it's not just to ensure full coverage. It's also to help your nail polish last longer. However, it's incredibly important to let the nail polish dry completely between each coat. Otherwise, you risk the polish taking much longer to dry all the way through.
Applying nail polish isn’t always as easy as it sounds. For example, many people don’t know that it’s a really good idea to cap the nail tip with a thin layer of polish before applying polish to the rest of the nail. It may sound a little unusual, but this small step helps lock in your manicure. That’s why we recommend capping the tip with both your coloured nail polish and your top coat. It’s another simple way to help your nail polish last longer — and who wouldn’t want that?
We’ve already mentioned this, but it deserves its own heading: You need to let your nail polish dry properly between coats. Even though it can be tempting to apply two coats one after the other and head straight out the door, it won’t do the finish of your polish any favors. When nail polish doesn’t have time to dry properly between each coat, it can end up taking much longer to dry all the way through. This also means the polish can easily become smudged or marked if you’re not careful, simply because it isn’t fully dry. That’s why it’s always a good idea to set aside enough time to let each coat dry on its own. For example, you can easily watch an episode of your favorite series between each coat of nail polish.
Most of us know the feeling of finding a nail polish shade we’re completely obsessed with. On the other hand, some nail polishes just don’t look quite right on our hands, even if the color is one of our absolute favorites. If you’ve ever had that feeling after applying nail polish, you’ve probably chosen a shade that unfortunately doesn’t suit your skin tone. Nail polish should create a flattering contrast with the skin tone of your hands, a bit like when choosing a lipstick. If you have a reddish skin tone, cool colors such as blue or pink will often suit you well, while a golden skin tone is often complemented by warmer colors such as red or orange.
When it comes to general nail care, many people reach for a nail file. And that’s a great idea, as a nail file can help you create the beautiful nail shape you’ve been dreaming of. However, you should be careful not to “saw” back and forth across your nails. Doing this can cause your nails to split, which won’t do any favors for either the appearance of your nails or the durability of your nail polish. Instead, we recommend filing from the edge of the nail in toward the center. Between each stroke, lift the file and start from the outside again. Repeat this on both sides of your nail until you have the desired length and shape.
Just like your face needs moisturizer, your hands and nails need care too. That’s why hand cream and cuticle oil should be a regular part of your beauty routine, especially if you want beautiful nails. A good hand cream for hands and nails helps keep your hands looking beautiful and moisturized, while also helping to prevent your nails from splitting. In addition, you can benefit from using Nailster Cuticle Oil, which helps give your cuticles all the moisture and care they deserve. When your nails are healthy, your nail polish lasts much longer too. It’s a win-win.