Nail art is just painting nails? Nah—Prep Is EVERYTHING.
Real talk: the difference between a mani that lasts 10 days and one that flakes off in 24 hours happens *before* you ever open a bottle of polish. Skip the prep and you’re basically building a mansion on quicksand. Here’s how I level-up every set, step-by-step, with the exact tools the pros swear by .
1. Clean Slate, Literally
• Remove every trace of old product with non-acetone remover.
• Scrub under the free edge with a nail brush — leftover gunk is the #1 cause of lifting.
2. Shape & Shorten
• Clip, then file from corner to center with a 100/180-grit file to avoid splits.
• Square, coffin, almond — doesn’t matter, just make the shape symmetrical so your art looks intentional.
3. Soften & Push
• Apply cuticle softener and wait 60 seconds.
• Use a stainless-steel pusher to gently roll back the cuticle and reveal the “nail pocket.” That tiny shelf is where product hugs the nail and keeps water out.
4. Nip With Precision
• Only snip the *actual* dead skin with sharp nippers; live skin will scream and bleed.
• Dust off debris with a fluffy brush — any grit left behind will show through gel like cellulite in leggings.
5. Dehydrate & De-Oil
• Wipe each nail with alcohol on a lint-free pad. This removes surface oils and gives polish/ gel/ acrylic something to bite into.
6. Edge Perfection
• Run the buffer over the free edge at a 45° angle to seal micro-layers.
• Optional: trace a thin layer of base coat under the tip — instant chip insurance.
Tool Checklist (keep these in a “prep only” pouch so you never dig through art brushes):
cuticle softener, pusher, nippers, 100/180 file, buffer block, nail brush, lint-free wipes, 70 % alcohol .
#NailCare #ManicureAtHome #Manicure
