There isn't always room in your busy schedule to head to the salon. So I put together a cheat-list of some basic but extremely helpful nail tips and tricks that I use at home. Whether you need your nails to dry fast, want to prevent chipping or looking to get the perfect moon mani, there's an awesome (but slightly bizarre) solution for you. Check it out!
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Image via Corbis
Refrigerate after opening!
Make your polish last longer by storing it in the fridge to help preserve the consistency. The cold temperature actually works to slow down the discoloration that occurs once your polish starts to age
Thin it out
Has your favorite polish gotten all dried-out and clumpy? No worries! Add a few drops of nail polish thinner, like Orly Nail Polish Thinner ($5) to the bottle to help restore your polish back to its original (or somewhat original) state.
Don't shake things up
If you’ve noticed that your polish has started to separate, try rolling the bottle in between the palm of your hands. Shaking it can cause bubbles that you may not see in the bottle, but that you’ll definitely notice on your manicure!
Ice water
I don’t think there’s anything more frustrating than messing up your nails right after you've finished painting them. So if your short on patience like me, try dipping your fingers into a small bowl full of ice water for a few minutes. The cold temperature will act almost like a top coat and quickly set your nails.
Whiten up
After a while, dark nail polishes can leave your nails with a dull, yellow stain. To get it out, create a paste using 2.5 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Then, using a cotton swab, apply the mixture all over your nails and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. Rinse nails with lukewarm water, and they'll be free of stains.
Try a fishnet design
Want a cool nail art trick? After your base color has dried, tried pressing a loofah onto your nails and then use a sponge to dab on another color. It will leave you with a really cool fishnet patterned mani!
Avoid the mess
To prevent your polish from getting on your cuticles and everywhere else that’s not your nail, try applying petroleum jelly to your cuticles and around the nail bed before painting to protect your skin. Just make sure not to get it on your actual nails or the polish won’t stay on.
Nail a reverse french mani
The easiest way to get a perfect moon mani or reverse french manicure is using tape or bandages. Simply paint your nail the base color, then after it dries, place the tape or bandage over the part that you don't want to paint, paint with the second color, and after it dries, carefully remove the tape or the bandage. And that's it!
Get strong, hard nails
I grew up seeing my mom apply garlic to her nails to strengthen and harden them. Simply take one small garlic clove and chop until finely minced. Then I add the garlic to a bottle of clear nail polish. Not a fan of the garlic-y smell? Once polish is dry, rinse hands with some freshly squeezed lemons to remove odor.
Prevent chipping
If you’re looking to extend your manicure, try applying a top coat to your nails every other day. This can make your polish last for an additional 3 or 4 days!
