Achieving a beautiful manicure involves a successful application of nail varnish. Between potential overflows and the occasional unevenness between layers, it's not always straightforward to apply varnish correctly. Find all our advice for attractive, coloured nails in this article.
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How to apply nail varnish?
Summary
- First step: prepare the nails
- Second step: apply the varnish of your choice
- Third step: maintaining the manicure
Published April 2, 2025,
updated on April 2, 2025,
by
Pauline, Chemical Engineer
—
6 min read
First step: prepare the nails.
A well-executed manicure begins long before the application of nail polish, with the preparation of the nails. In addition to aiding in achieving a cleaner finish, this step enhances the durability of the polish. Above all, it is crucial to have hands and nails thoroughly clean. After washing your hands, if your nails show traces of old polish, it should be carefully removed with a nail polish remover that is gentle, ideally without acetone to prevent weakening the nail and surrounding skin. We then advise you to file your nails to give them a harmonious shape. This will make your manicure even more meticulous. The trick to avoid weakening your nails is to always file in one direction, from the outside towards the centre, without back-and-forth movements that could cause splitting.
Next, it's time to focus on your cuticles. As a reminder, the cuticle is the thin layer of skin that surrounds the nail and covers its matrix. It plays a protective role for the nail but, when it's too visible, it can give a neglected appearance to the manicure. However, it's not advisable to cut the cuticles as this could cause small injuries at the base of the nails. It's better to soften them with a vegetable oil, such as the castor oil or the apricot oil, or a moisturising cream, before gently pushing them back with a wooden stick or your file. Finally, to ensure the nail polish adheres properly to the nail, it's recommended to remove any traces of cream or oil from the nail surface. For this, you can simply wipe your nails with a cotton pad soaked in nail polish remover.
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Second step: apply the varnish of your choice.
Once the nails are prepared, you can move on to the nail polish application stage. The ideal starting point is to apply a nail polish base, or base coat. This is a clear polish that protects the nail, prevents it from yellowing, and enhances the adherence of the coloured polish applied afterwards. The nail polish base should be applied in a thin layer and allowed to dry for a few minutes before proceeding to the colour.
A common mistake when applying nail varnish is the belief that a thicker layer will provide better coverage of the nail. In reality, it is preferable to apply several thin layers, which dry more quickly and reduce the risk of bubbles and irregularities.
To effectively and easily apply your nail polish, we recommend following the simple rule of "three brush strokes" per nail. To do this, start by placing a drop of polish at the base of your nail, then stretch it out by making a first pass towards the end of the nail. Then make a brush stroke to the left, then another to the right, trying not to let the nail polish overflow onto the surrounding skin. The secret to a beautiful application lies in patience. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next. Generally, to achieve a uniform finish, it is necessary to apply two to three coats of nail polish.
Once the final layer of coloured varnish has dried, it's time to move on to a finishing layer, or top coat, using a clear sealing varnish. This visually resembles the base coat, but its function and properties are different. Therefore, although it may be tempting, it is not advisable to replace a sealing varnish with a base coat, or vice versa. As the name suggests, the sealing varnish helps to fix the colour, extend the wear of the nail varnish and prevent it from chipping quickly. There are different types of sealing varnishes, matte, glossy, or even glittery, to cater to all preferences.
Blowing on your nails to speed up drying is a misguided notion: the moisture in the air can cause bubbles on the surface of the nail polish. It's better to let it dry naturally or use a nail polish drying spray.
Third step: maintaining the manicure.
Once the manicure is complete, a few simple steps can extend its longevity. You can initially apply a new layer of top coat every two to three days. While reviving the finish of the polish, this additional layer strengthens the protection of the colour against daily wear and tear, such as hand washing or the use of household products (dish soap, sanitising spray, laundry detergent...). By creating a barrier, the regular application of top coat preserves the colour and delays the onset of chipping.
Another good practice: regularly moisturise your hands and cuticles. Indeed, maintaining nourished skin and nails can prevent nail polish from drying out or cracking quickly. To extend the life of your nail polish, it is thus recommended to apply a moisturising cream for hands and cuticles twice a day, morning and evening. However, when you apply this care, be careful not to rub too much on your nails, as you risk having the opposite effect to the one sought and chipping your polish.
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