Beauty 101: Nail Prep!

next
What do you do with teal shoes? AND a Threads Giveaway
*use cotton balls, instead of tissue, saturated with nail polish remover to remove polish. 
Now you are ready for polish! In case you haven’t come across this helpful diagram on pinterest, it’s a great tool for applying nail polish:

(source) (if you know the actual source of this diagram, will you tweet it to me?)
So once your nails are prepped and ready, try some creative ways to wear polish:
*don’t mind the crooked line on my pointer finger **or my dry hands

By day old nails I mean don’t do this on the same day that you polish them.


Some other fun nail polish techniques can be found here
I love to wear deeper and darker colors in the fall and winter. Some of my favorites are Essie’s Mink Muffs, OPI’s You Don’t Know Jacques, and OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark

To transition your nail colors from summer to fall, just look for darker shades of what you already wore.

 What are some of your favorite fall/winter polishes?

comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Angie says · 09.19.12

Cute!! I love it! šŸ™‚

Reply
Katie Green says · 09.19.12

I was just wishing you’d do a polish class. Those nails are greaaaaaat.

http://www.southernchiclove.blogspot.com

Reply
JoAnn J says · 09.19.12

Thank you for the great tips/tutorial. After seeing this, I definitely need to give myself a new manicure!!

Reply
Sarah says · 09.19.12

Great post! I love Chinchilly! It’s a great neutral. I have also been loving metallic nails and Scarlett O’hara- Essie

Reply
Ingrid says · 09.19.12

Love that you are talkin Nails~ Licensed Nail technician here! Just a few extra notes: Always file/shape nails first. Also, some people have unruly cuticles that won’t lift away from the nail so it could be painful and unsuccessful to push them back dry. My favorite cuticle softener is called Blue Cross, which I use in every service. I buy it because it works and its cheap! Buy it at Sally Beauty Supply.

http://www.sallybeauty.com/cuticle-remover/SBS-246116,default,pd.html

Reply
Victoria says · 09.19.12

I love doing my nails and collecting polishes! Except for trimming my cuticles this is exactly what I do. Thanks for sharing the names of your polishes….That is how I pick new polishes most of the time. Seeing it on someone else and then finding out what it is called keeps me from THINKING I will like a polish and then never wearing it.

Reply
Christina Arsenault says · 09.19.12

I just painted my nails with Lincoln Park After Dark šŸ™‚

Reply
Sabrina says · 09.19.12

I love painting my nails and playing with new colors, but I am horrible at it.

Reply
Melanie says · 09.19.12

My “day old nails” are already completely chipped off šŸ™

Reply
Amanda says · 09.19.12

I just bought some great new colors for fall! Deep red and taupy-grey, the new ELF ones from Target (I assume you’ve seen them) they’re so cute and only $2 – how could I not?! Lately I’ve been super into the matte finish topcoat, it adds so much more depth to the nail color, perfect for fall! Great post, Kate!

Reply
Lindsay @ Trial By Sapphire says · 09.19.12

I love Essie’s Big Spender! Since I have really tan skin, I love the look of Sally Hansen’s Wined Up. It’s a nice deep shimmery merlot.

I’ll need to do your striped design soon. I love it!

Reply
Allie @ Tales of a TwentySomething says · 09.19.12

I love this tutorial! Such good tips šŸ™‚ Thank you for sharing!

Reply
Mallory says · 09.19.12

Love this color combo! Chinchilly is on my nail polish wishlist, along with tons others!

Reply
still being [molly] says · 09.19.12

love this, kate!! and Essie Mink Muffs is my favorite essie color EVERRRR!

Reply
Anonymous says · 09.19.12

I have always been taught, and have read in the recent Glamour or Allure magazine that while cotton balls work well, for at home manis and pedis you should use paper towels. Because the cotton can leave microscopic threads we can’t see until they get gunked with polish.

Reply
Kate says · 09.19.12

interesting! I’ll try paper towel next time!

Reply
Anonymous says · 09.19.12

You should use a glass file to shape nails b/c the cardboard-y ones can leave microscopic tears on the tips of your nails. And also you should not buff your nails before you polish. Only buff if you are going to have a naked nail. Smoothy, shiny nail beds will cause polish to chip off faster or even pop off in one piece b/c the surface that was painted on was too smooth. Use base coat or ridge filler over dry, unbuffed nails.

Reply
Frances says · 09.19.12

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark….always and forever. Also love Sally Hansen Commander in Chic

Reply
Anonymous says · 09.19.12

One of the most important steps when applying nail polish (diagram states)is cleaning the nail bed so that it is free of natural oils and or hand creams. Polish remover works well no need for fancy product.
Pretty nails, Kate!!! šŸ˜‰

Jen Vespa

Reply
Shana says · 09.19.12

Kate, which base and top coat do you us? Love those stripes; super cute!

Reply
Kate says · 09.19.12

I love Essie’s 3-way Glaze top and base coat!

Reply
Shana says · 09.20.12

Thanks! Will give that one a try šŸ™‚

Reply
Sara says · 09.19.12

I tweeted you, but thought I’d share it here too.. Here’s the original source link to the diagram you found on Pinterest: http://www.lacquerized.com/2010/05/how-to-how-i-paint-my-nails.html

Love the colors you chose for this mani! šŸ™‚

– Sara

Reply
. says · 09.19.12

Just did my nails at my desk at work! Thanks for the tips!

Reply
vintagemint says · 09.19.12

Great tutorial; thanks! šŸ™‚ I was curious, what base coat do you use / recommend? I’ve been on the hunt for a good base coat, especially one that helps prevent yellowing of the fingernails.

Reply
Kate says · 09.19.12

I love Essie’s 3-way Glaze top and base coat!

Reply
vintagemint says · 09.20.12

good to know thanks! and i should have read all the posts before i asked my question (which collectively was asked of you like 5 times by others as well, sorry about that!) šŸ™‚

Reply
Alissa says · 09.19.12

I pinned this because it has so many details that explain what goes into a good manicure!

Reply
kristinwithani says · 09.19.12

I’m an Essie girl but decided to try Butter London last week. Love Yummy Mummy as a fall neutral. On my hands now….

Reply
shelly says · 09.19.12

What kind of base coat works best? I usually skip that step but my nail chip within a few days. Help?!

Reply
Kate says · 09.19.12

I love Essie’s 3-way Glaze top and base coat!

Reply
Anonymous says · 09.19.12

What is a good top coat and base coat?

Reply
Kate says · 09.19.12

I love Essie’s 3-way Glaze top and base coat!

Reply
Christy says · 09.19.12

I have short, trimmed nails with short nail beds–not a bitter. I’ve always shied away from color unless my nails were a little longer, but maybe that’s old school?

Reply
Kerry Enos says · 09.19.12

I saw the tip on Pinterest too for using a rubber band for guidance on a nice french tip. Love the colors you picked for fall. I tend toward purples and browns for the most part so some good altrnative to choose. Thanks!

Reply
Anonymous says · 09.19.12

Have you ever tried using Konad products (i.e. nail stamps)? My daughter and I love it! ~Michelle

Reply
Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! says · 09.19.12

SUCH a cute design. But I would recommend to all reading that when using cuticle pushers AND nippers that you should always, always, ALWAYS soak your nails/cuticles first before pushing or cutting – and cutting should be very rare. Cutting risks infection, and pushing w/out the cuticles being soften can cause damage to your cuticle, skin and nail beds. Not trying to harp but I’ve seen where dry pushing can cause ridges in the nail beds (former manicurist over here).

That being said LOVE the color, LOVE the design and LOVE the tutorial!

Reply
hotmesscoolday says · 09.19.12

This definitely would have come in handy last week before my new job said NO nail polish (WHAT?!) but at least now I can keep my nails looking pretty sans polish. Thanks!

Reply
Basically B says · 09.19.12

ARGH! Mine never turn out like that.

http://frenchpresstights.blogspot.com/

Reply
Amy Shaughnessy says · 09.19.12

Love this post! So fun and informative. I need one of those cuticle trimmers. I am so terrible at pushing my cuticles back.

Amy

Fashion and Beauty Finds

Reply
Rebecca Fletcher says · 09.19.12

You make it look so easy!

One thing I do to make polish removal super easy is to tear the cotton ball into 10 small pieces and then saturate those pieces in polish remover. Then I place the pieces on my nails and just let them sit for about 15 seconds- the polish comes right off! And you only need one cotton ball (medium-sized). Simple! šŸ™‚

Reply
Laura says · 09.19.12

I am an essie girl all the way, my favorites for fall are Merino Cool, Spinning again, and island hopping.

Reply
Yewizzy says · 09.20.12

Love the pictorial on how to paint your nails..Love your simple nail design <3

http://shelovesthefinerthings.com

Reply
Hellonheelshon says · 09.20.12

Love the nail tutorial! What a great idea to use tape… never thought of that!

Reply
Shabby, Chic, & Cheap says · 09.20.12

such a fun and cool idea to try for different nail style! Thanks for sharing!

Reply
sophie says · 09.20.12

very informative! i’m thinking Big Spender might be the perfect berry color i’ve been looking for. thanks for sharing!

Reply
Adri @ A Yellow Bicycle says · 09.20.12

I’m in love with Essie’s Head Mistress. It is the perfect red for fall – or really any season, in my opinion.

Reply
Amber says · 09.20.12

I have never used Essie nail polish and was wondering why it is so fabulous? (I’m new to your blog) Thanks!

Reply
Anita says · 09.20.12

Apply OPI Bond Aid before base coat and you will notice how much longer your polish will last. I am a nail technician, and this is definitely a must! Love everything about your blog – thanks!!

Reply
Blogger says · 09.20.12

Great post! My mother just started using Deborah Lippmann nail polish, it is more expensive but her nail polish has lasted forever, I couldn’t believe it!

Reply
Anonymous says · 09.20.12

OPIs “Bastille my Heart”. Best fall/winter color ever!!!!

Reply
Misty Friedrichs says · 09.20.12

“OPI Red” is my all time stand-by. It’s the perfect shade of red that isn’t too orange-y, yellow-y or blue-y (like my technical wording?) It can be worn with anything & doesn’t seem to clash. Great for a professional looking color on toes especially – I always use it before business trips.

Reply
Alaina Rypstra says · 09.20.12

Hi Kate, you can try to find the source of that picture by going to Google Images, and on the right side of the search box, click the little camera option. You can upload this picture and it will search the internet for where it has been used. šŸ™‚

Reply
Tinksfun says · 09.21.12

Always enjoy your blog. I do have an off topic question. What font are you using on the particular page. Specifically the white letting in the top 6 blocks? Thank you

Reply
Sara Beth says · 09.22.12

I just bought some Essie 3-way glaze today @ Ulta! I used some from a friend and it really worked well.I am ready to try some fall nail colors too. I recently bought Essie “Angora Cardi” It goes on somewhat darker than the bottle looks,almost like a plum color. Great tutorial Kate!

Reply
Sara says · 09.22.12

Hi Kate- Can you recommend a good cuticle pusher and cuticle nipper?

Reply
coryelizabeth says · 10.07.12

I love neutral colors on my nails, currently I have Essie “Smokin’ Hot” on there, I was just wondering if you knew of a very complimentary color that would look good with this style you did? Maybe a brighter color?

Reply
Kate Conway says · 01.03.13

Random question – is your wedding set from Cartier?

Reply
Unknown says · 01.10.13

The beauty nail pep is described here. Good post
organic hair colouring

Reply
Cutis Medical says · 03.05.13

Nice information, many thanks to the author. It is incomprehensible to me now, but in general, the usefulness and significance is overwhelming. Thanks again and good luck!
Hair Removal

Reply
smarley422 says · 04.23.13

Here is the original source of the nail polish diagram:
http://www.lacquerized.com/2010/05/how-to-how-i-paint-my-nails.html

Reply
Ideation Fashion says · 06.04.13

Nice share of this. Good job. thanksl. birkin bag

Reply
shahidul islam says · 07.09.13

Pia Esthetics Day Spa provides professional SPA services in Winter Park and Orlando FL, nails winter park

Reply
Melinawatson says · 10.18.13

I love neutral colors on my fasteners, actually I have Essie “smoking’ Hot” on there, I was just wondering if you knew of a very complimentary hue that would look good with this method you did? perhaps a brighter color?
http://www.escort-hongkong.net/.

Reply
James Bond Bond says · 03.24.14

Hello, this is fastidious post I actually loved reading this.
bubblegum casting

Reply
aleena rose says · 04.14.14

This comment has been removed by the author.

Reply
aleena rose says · 04.14.14

This blog is down to earth, hats off buds available.
bubblegum casting reviews

Reply
aleena rose says · 04.15.14

You people have actually provided the best blogs that are easy to understand for the folks.
bubblegum casting reviews

Reply
Prepped & Polished says · 05.31.14

Greetings Parents, Professionals, and Students, and welcome to Prepped & Polished! Iā€™m a licensed guidance counselor Pre K-12 and professional tutor, and over the last 12 years my team of tutors and I have worked full-time helping hundreds of students achieve better grades, test scores, and self-confidence in and outside of school!ā€¦

Prepped & Polished

Reply
Prepped & Polished says · 05.31.14

Alexis is a member of professional organizations such as the Wayland Business Association and the University of Michigan Alumni Association (Alumni Student Recruiter); and also non-profit organizations such as Bridge over Troubled Waters, Mass Mentoring, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and Community Servings. An active mentor of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America since 2003,
Prepped & Polished

Reply
Michelle says · 08.19.15

I recently came across your blog and have been glued to my screen reading & watching your amazing tips. This is a little off subject, but would you share the Font you used on the Nail Prep images? BTW, I love the shape of your pinky nail. I am in the process of kicking a biting habit and admire and find inspiration in keeping them constantly cute with new ideas I am finding.

Reply
Marie says · 04.26.16

Does any one here know how to remove spilled nail polish fro a pair of white plastic pants[aka-rubberpants]? Our 15 year old daughter finially made her First communion two weeks ago and per the parish dress code,had to wear the plastic pants and an undershirt under her communion dress.she was redoing her nails after her party and had her dress off and accidently spilled some nail polish on the plastic pants.She is going to be a junior bridesmaid in her nieces wedding in june and going to wear the plastic pants again under her bridesmaid dress.

Reply