I apply a ridge-filling base coat, two coats of polish, top coat, and then a quick drying top coat. When I apply polish, I usually start from the lower third (not quite the base), pull toward the end of the nail, from the center and then outward.
We're here to help you make better beauty purchases that you'll enjoy and love! We recommend signing up to take advantage of personalized features like tracking products you own, viewing dupes that you already have, and more!
Here are some useful resources for you:
Curious how two shades compare to each other? Type in the shades below to get instant side-by-side swatches!
Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!
Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).
We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!
We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!
After pushing back and trimming my cuticles, filing and gently roughing up the surface (helps with adhesion of nail products to the nail), I apply 1 coat European Secrets Rock Hard, 1 coat of Nail-Aid 1-Minute Gel, followed up with usually 2 coats of polish. I go down the center of the nail as close to the cuticle as I can, bring it to the tip, and again down each side of the first sweep. I allow each coat to dry completely before applying my next. Once done, I usually take a little baby oil and gently smooth that over my nails and cuticles.
I’m getting you to do my nails Nancy!
Aww, Genevieve, you are so kind to say that to me! Especially considering I’m a real-life beauty school dropout and I haven’t done another person’s manicure since doing my daughter’s nails many, many years ago, so my confidence is as shaky as my left hand!
Tell me about Nail-Aid 1 Minute Gel, pretty please?
Hi Lesley, I buy mine at Walmart in their nail treatments area of beauty. It is a pink tinted clear liquid in a bottle that comes in a box, which unfortunately can be difficult to spot in the usual sea of Sally Hansen products in its immediate vicinity! It has helped me keep my manicure looking decent for anywhere from 5 to 10 days depending on which nail polish formula I use. HTH!
There is no Walmart near me but I think I can get it online. My manicurist is going to be away for five weeks in September and I already am having gel withdrawal symptoms.
I get NexGen nails now. When I did paint, I used a base coat. Then, I applied a thin coat of polish, starting from the middle of my nail, then the two sides. Always from bottom of the nail to the tip. I’d then apply a thicker second coat. After that dried, I’d apply a good top coat.
“ridge-filling topcoat” wow never knew one like that existed! I need that! Christine, do you mind sharing all the products you use (base/top/fast dry) please?
All of Zoya’s! 🙂
Base Coat, two coats of polish, top coat and the quick drying drops from essence. They work amazing.
I’m currently into Revlon’s Gel Envy polishes and topcoat. Win Big is a gorgeous rose gold that always draws compliments.
My cuticles are an ongoing struggle. I just can’t get them under control.
I’ve never used a ridge filler, and it’s something I’ll definitely look into. Thanks, Christine!
Ooh, I adore Win Big Gel Envy, Seraphine! It’s a beauty!
Very, very badly! I am looking for tips here!
I push my cuticles back very regularly and they rarely get problematic since I ALWAYS have polish on. BUT, if they start coming back, I use a chemical cuticle remover so they go away and look good without cutting them at all.
As far as painting: I always make sure to rub my nails with acetone or remover to be sure they’re bare. I apply a “sticky” base coat like CND Stickey or Orly Bonder. Then, I use the basic “3-stroke” method of painting where you apply the bead of polish almost near the cuticle in the center of the nail. Then, push it closer to the cuticle and stroke the other way to the end. Then, stroke the polish on each side of the nail. It doesn’t work in perfect 3-stroke, though. I end up doing multiple strokes. Wait for each coat to dry and then apply a quick dry top coat.