When doing your nails, preparation is key if you want to have a long lasting mani. Follow these steps for how to prep your nails!
1. Please make sure that your hands have been properly washed with soap and water. This will prevent bacteria from being on your nails while you’re applying your products and causing a bacterial infection. You can also use hand sanitizer, but it is not healthy to use hand sanitizer often as this will cause the bacteria on your nails to become accustomed to its chemicals and eventually become immune. Washing your hands with plain stop and water will yield the best results!
2. Make sure to properly dry your hands. You can allow them to fully air dry or you can use a lint free paper towel/cloth towel to dry your hands and then allow them to air dry if you want to wait less.
3. Take a cuticle pusher and push back all of your cuticles. Leaving your cuticles on your nails will result in premature lifting since the product won’t be able to properly adhere to your nail bed. You may also apply dip nail liquid cuticle remover solution first and then push back your cuticles for a smoother cleanup.
4. Take some cuticle nippers and carefully trim the dead skin. Please do not cut any live skin, only trim the areas with dead skin. If you cut your live skin, this will open up wounds to a bacterial infestation and you definitely do not want this happening. An alternative option would also be to use a cuticle drill bit, but if you do not have an e-file, cuticle nippers work just as good.
5. Use a buffer to get the shine off of all your nails. Make sure to not miss any spots as that will result in your nails lifting later on. You can also use a sanding bit for this step. If you do not have a buffer, you can get our replacement kit that comes with a mini file, buffing block, and 5 brush replacements. If you prefer a bigger buffing block, you can check out our Manicure Kit that comes with 2 large buffers, two large files, 4 mini files, a skinny fluffy brush, and a holo bag!
6. Apply a layer of bonder to your nails in order to dehydrate them. You do not need to apply multiple coats, one should be enough. Just make sure to let the nail fully dry and to not touch your nail beds at all after this step.
These next steps are if you would like to apply tips to your nails in order to extend their lengths. If you wish to apply tips, please do not do step 6. If you do not wish to apply tips on your nails, you may stop here and continue to our other articles on how to dip or the gel method!
1. Fit your tips to your nails to find the correct sizes for each finger and have them laid out and prepared.
2. Use a nail glue or base coat. Apply a small dab to the tip of your natural nail and apply the matching tip on. You can also apply it on the tip and stick it on the nail.
3. Gently press on top of the tip to help spread the glue and prevent the nail from falling off before the glue has dried.
4. Repeat step 2-3 on all of your nails.
5. Use scissors or nail clippers to trim your nails to the length that you like. You can also cut them to help you pre-shape your nails. For example, if you wanted a coffin shape nail, you can slightly trim the edges so that you’ll have less work to do when you’re shaping your tips. You can also cut your tips into a triangle if you’re trying to go for a more stiletto or almond shape nail.
6. Use a buffer or sanding bit to take the shine off of the tips. You can also slightly buff the area where the tip meets the nail for a smoother transition between the two layers.
7. Apply a layer of bonder to your nails in order to dehydrate them. You do not need to apply multiple coats, one should be enough. Just make sure to let the nail fully dry and to not touch your nail beds at all after this step.
That’s it! Now that your nails are fully prepped, you can start working on the actual application process of your nail products. Please make sure to not touch your nails anymore after they have finished being prepped. Because our skin has oil to keep it moisturized and prevent it from drying up, allowing contact from your fingers to your nail beds will transfer over the oil. If you do this, all the nail prep you've previously did will go to waste and you will need to reprep the nails if you do not want to worry about it lifting.
That being said, take great precautions to not ruin all the work you've put in. That being said, thank you so much for reading all the way through this article! We hope this information was helpful to you!
