It's a common story for all nail polish lovers: You spend hours painting all your nails, yet your right hand (or left, whichever is the dominant one) always ends up looking messy. And that's for plain manicures — imagine even attempting to do nail art. It's nearly impossible! That's why we usually find ourselves trekking to the salon and shelling out the big bucks.
However, no matter how frustrating painting your opposite hand can be, it's still possible. With tons of patience, the right techniques, and regular practice, you can give both of your hands salon-level manicures and nail art! Read on to learn our easy tips.
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Start with groomed nails
Grooming your nails is an unskippable step if you want your nail art to look flawless. Just like any painter, you need the right canvas — buffing away unwanted texture and pushing back your cuticles will make your polish go on easier. (Bonus: It'll also help your nail polish stay on longer.)
Image via Imaxtree
First, paint your dominant hand
OK, so you're probably tempted to paint your non-dominant hand first — it is, after all, easier. But hear us out: It's actually easier to start with your dominant hand.
Why? With your non-dominant hand polish-free, you'll be able to put your full focus on painting your nail art, without worrying about smearing any existing art. You'll also be able to use your polish-free hand to help clean up any mistakes, which are going to be much more common when you're painting with the aforementioned non-dominant hand.
One last tip: Before you move to your other hand, make sure that your dominant hand's nail art is 100 percent dry.
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Lay your hand on a flat surface
Painting your nails while you're sitting on the couch, watching your favorite TV series can be relaxing. However, we mean business here. If you want to make sure your nails perfect, consider painting them at a desk.
The flat and steady surface will decrease any shaking or wobbliness. It's better if you can lean both your elbow and palm on the flat surface for extra stability. Find the most comfortable and flexible position for your non-dominant hand when holding the brush and other tools.
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Slowly but surely
You need a lot of patience when applying nail polish. Take your time and use slow movements when painting. Lightly press the nail brush a millimeter away from the cuticle (leave a gap!), apply a little pressure to press in the brush, and slowly glide one strip down the middle. Use thin coats and wait for the first layer to dry before applying a new one to avoid mess ups.
Image via Imaxtree
