To have the most beautiful nail polish possible and take care of your hands, a few steps are necessary.

Preparation and protection of nails, filing, installation, drying: Europe 1 takes stock of the tips to remember before embarking on a homemade manicure. 

Nourish, moisturize and enhance your nails: here are the basic principles of manicure.

Whether for fans of bright colors or lovers of discretion, fans of "nail desgin" (the designs on the nail) or lovers of "French manicure", nail polish is always a challenge, especially at home, which requires a light preparation.

Preparation, drying and protection: Europe 1 gives you some advice for a successful application of your varnish every time. 

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Prepare your nails properly

It might sound logical, but preparing the hands is a key step.

You must start by cleaning your fingers well using emollient water to remove the old varnish but also degrease the nail, thus facilitating the application of the new layer. 

Choose your file

Once the nails have been cleaned, it is a question of giving them a nice shape using a file.

The choice of the latter is important.

"I do not recommend glass or iron files or files which are specialized for false nails", explains Maud Ravier, esthetician.

"They are hard, stiff and they have too large grains which will damage your nails". 

On the contrary, she advises to favor the basic, cardboard and flexible file.

"She can really match the shape of the nail without harming it."

Apply a base

Before applying the color, apply a base, a transparent varnish to the nails, which will act as a protective film to prevent the colored varnish from coming into direct contact with the nail.

"The bases will protect the natural nail against pigments", explains Nathalie Rohlf, international trainer for the Mavala brand.

"Pigments, regardless of the type of color but even more so when the varnishes are dark, can stain and make the nails yellow," she adds.

The base also allows the varnish to color to last longer. 

Check the fluidity of the varnish

To avoid slippage, drips and other inconveniences that transform a varnish application into a battlefield, a few rules must be followed for the application of the colored liquid.

After shaking the bottle well, in order to homogenize the varnish and mix the components, it is important to check its fluidity.

Take out the brush for five seconds: if the first drop falls before the time limit, it is ready to apply.

If the drop takes longer to fall, the varnish is too thick and pasty: it may dry badly and flake.  

Three brushstrokes and bingo!

Here is the decisive step: the pose.

The rule: do as little action as possible, so as not to take any risk.

A first straight brush stroke in the middle of the nail, a stroke on the left then a last stroke on the right to complete.

Once the tenth finger is finished, we start again to apply the second layer on both hands. 

Adopt the top-coat

Once the color is applied, do not forget the top coat.

"This product will be used precisely to protect the varnish against flaking", explains Nathalie Rohlf.

"This will make the nail polish last longer."

A more resistant varnish, but also more shiny.

"A good quality varnish is shiny at the base but the fact of adding a fixer will give it much more shine", adds the trainer. 

Opt for a varnish dryer

Last step which can be tricky: drying.

Be careful not to be too impatient: the more coats of varnish there are, the longer the drying time will be.

It can sometimes be up to twenty minutes. 

For those in a hurry, there are varnish dryers.

"Once the top-coat is applied, you wait thirty seconds to one minute then you apply a dry varnish in spray format. After one minute, your varnish application will be dry to the touch", explains Nathalie Rohlf from Mavala. 

The varnish dryer is also available in the form of an oil: a drop applied with a brush and the varnish application will be protected and dry in one minute.

Finally, the last option: resinous varnish, which is applied as a base or a top coat. 

Finally, to enjoy your colored nails as long as possible, it is better to avoid manual activities, such as cooking, crafts or washing dishes.