BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Cosmetics question about fingernail polish.

Hey all. This may be a silly question to some, but I am stumped. I recently (over the past year or so) stopped biting my finger nails. Now that I have long pretty nails, I like to keep them polished. I have a giant box of different polish. I usually only use 2 maybe 3. All the others are streaky. I don't know what I am doing wrong! I put it on thin, thick, added a drop or 2 of remover to the bottle (someone told be to try that.) Some of them are cheap brands, but some of them are NOT cheap polishs(O.P.I.). Any suggestions? I would like to use the giant selection I have besides just 2 or 3. Thank you!

Even some of OPIs colors are what I would call "sheer" colors - more sparkle than color. So unless you put 3-4 coats on, it is not going to look even.

The best way to do it is like they do at the salon (but you have to makje sure you give yourself time to dry - don't plan on running out the door as soon as you are done!)

Using a semi-thick coat, it goes on in three stripes, one down the middle, then one to either side. Then after you have finished doing all 10 nails immediately do it again - don't wait for it to dry in between coats. Then follow up immeditately with a clear coat.

Then you sit and wait at least 15 minutes for it to dry. A fan will help it to go faster.

But the coating while it is still semi-wet seems to help it color-wise.

(BTW - I'm an OPI addict, it's pretty much the only one I use. I think I have about 20 different colors!)

with OPI you SHOULD use the OPI base coat and top coat. DO NOT mix them. They are formulated to work together not with other colors. Also NEVER NEVER NEVER thin an OPI polish with polish remover. This will break down the color molecules and give you streaky uneven coats. OPI makes a nail lacquer thinner. Use it and it only. Also OPI makes a wonderful product called drip dry. I hate the sprays because they are uneven and you often miss spots and get too much on others. This drip dry is a nail lacquer hardener and quick dry. it also has an oil in it that will help soften the cuticle allowing longer wear. This also speeds up the drying process.

Another thing to consider is that nail polish takes roughly 4 hours to completely cure. Notice I didn't say dry. It takes about 30-60 minutes to completely dry but not cure. Do NOT wash dishes, take a shower, soak your hands in water for about 4 hours after polishing. This will make it seperate from the nails and not last.

Another thing to consider is when using shears is that you should not use a thick coat. Use thinner coats that barely cover the nail. This will help keep streaks out of it and allow you to spread out any lines you have formed. The last coats can be thicker, but your first or second should be thin and barely cover it.

You guys are awesome! Thanks Michelle and Jase.

You are both exactly right about sheers needing a different touch. They are simply not made to provide the kind of bright color that opaque and semi-lucents can. Use those for different, more subtle looks, or to add a hint of sheen to your regular colors.

Absolutely amazing that you can learn so much about nail color. OPI is my favorite. The deep rich reds look so sexy on toenails.

Wow a really good and quite interesting info about Nail Polish .Thanks for it.

I love love love the new French Collection. it just came out a couple weeks ago and our spa got our stash last thursday. I wish I could paint my own nail.. i like the colors that much. And I thought I would hate the gun-metal gray

Jae, why don't you paint your nails gun metal? That would be cool and it's not like you are choosing a bright red.

my boss does not allow us to paint our nails other than french or clear. Us, being me or men, because it doesn't fit with the "spa" atmosphere. I conceed to it because she allows me sandals so I cannot complain... much ;0)

Try buffing your nails to make sure that they're smooth.