Mistakes you make when doing your manicure and you don't know

According to statistics from beauty industry experts, women spend an average of around €400 on their nails. Since the care and maintenance of their nails has become a Nail art has become popular, especially on social media, and the general public has incorporated it into their regular beauty routines. But having a good manicure without knowing some of the techniques can make your nails (and your health) the first to suffer. We explain what you should do if you want a mistake-free manicure.

1. Disinfect the instruments

This sounds very medical, but this is one of the biggest mistakes people make. This should be a priority before starting a manicure. According to research, the area around and under our nails harbors a large amount of harmful bacteria. If the instruments you use aren't washed with disinfectant (alcohol), you're allowing germs to spread. Additionally, keeping everything in a sealed bag allows bacteria to grow. It's best to store all instruments in breathable boxes or containers, disinfecting everything before and after use.

2. Cut the cuticles

We're all guilty of this because we've seen it done millions of times by professionals. The truth is, this practice poses a significant health risk as it leaves unprotected cuts on your fingers that can become infected. Plus, when they grow back, they're flaky and untidy. If you like your cuticles trimmed, it's best to push them back with a wooden stick (which you'll find in any manicure kit). This will protect your hands from infection.

3. Not using a base coat

Many people skip this step because they don't see it as necessary. However, these bases are designed to protect the nail by bonding it and making the polish application smoother and last longer (up to a week). This happens because our nails generate natural oils that prevent the polish from adhering properly. A base coat keeps the oils out and perfect.

4. Apply thick layers

We all love a vibrant, flawless color on our nails. Often, in a rush, we apply thicker coats of polish... MISTAKE. Thick coats take twice as long to dry as thin ones (approximately 5 to 6 minutes), so the polish will likely smudge or chip in that time. In fact, polish isn't designed to dry in thick batches, which keeps it intact inside the bottle. So instead of applying 1 or 2 thick coats, apply 3 or 4 thin ones.

5. Use cotton swabs

We know that cotton swabs are a widely used element, especially to correct makeup (that eyeliner ​ (that you've missed or a lipstick that's slicked off) and we do the same with the polish that's left around the nail. But ladies, this isn't a good idea. All it takes is the slightest movement to ruin everything you just did. Cotton filaments stick VERY easily to wet polish, losing the perfection we're looking for. Instead, find a thin makeup brush and problem solved.

6. File back and forth

We've seen professionals do this to achieve a smooth surface, but it's not the best technique. Filing back and forth can cause cracks, making the application look brittle and uneven. It also weakens the nails, making them break more easily. In reality, the motion should be done in a circular motion (following the shape of the nail) and in one direction only. This simple change will prevent them from becoming weaker and requiring you to spend more money on treatments to strengthen them.

7. Do not apply nail polish under the nail.

We don't usually apply it there, behind the tip of the nail because it's not visible, but this trick alone will prevent the polish from chipping when you do things like washing dishes or showering. When we do these activities, water gets trapped between the nail and the polish, causing it to peel off more easily. This alone will make your manicure last longer.

8. Shake the nail polish bottle

It seems like common sense that shaking the bottle helps the color blend better, but what it does is something else. Shaking the bottle causes air to mix with the polish, which causes tiny bubbles or pockets that will be visible as soon as the polish comes into contact with the nail.

Have you tried any of these tricks before? Well, now you know what to do...

A kiss lolitas !