Beauty How-to: Simple Nails

Easy Holiday Nails

I n t r o d u c t i o n

"Nails take any old outfit and make it new" - Essie.

Nails. We use them for various tasks throughout the day, actually styling them is just an afterthought, right? But what you don't realize is that the simplest nail polish can take your outfit to a whole new level. From a solid color, to glitter, to accents and nail art, there are millions of ways to create a nail set that suits you! Not only does nail polish give you that pop of color that compliments your clothes, but it also gives a shield that protects your nails from any damage. There are also some polishes that are multi-purposed. Some infused with argan oil that is rich with vitamins that keep your nails healthy. For the holidays, I wanted to keep my nails coated with a nice solid, shiny maroon polish. With the help of YouTube beauty-guru Michelle Phan and her novel, Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success-- Online and Off, I've collected some tips and tricks to help you for this tutorial!

S t e p  O n e :

Before you begin any painting, you want to decide on what kind of look you want to go for. For me, I wear a lot of red, so I know that the polish I chose would compliment any of the different outfits that I prepared for my holidays. Also, you want to make sure you have a good canvas. Prep your nails by cutting them the length you want them, and the shape you desire by filing your nails. I like my nails a little long, and oval-like. To keep your nails strong and healthy, there are vitamins you can take, and even serums loaded with vitamins and minerals.

S t e p  T w o :

To create a strong nail look, you need a good foundation. Base coats are the base, the primer to your canvas. These clear polishes prepare your nail for the following colored nail coats. This base prevents staining, and some even are hydrating and not only protect your nails but keep them healthy also! As said from the book, "This [base coat] will protect your nail bed from discoloration and extend the life of your manicure," (Phan 101). I used an affordable 3-in-1 base coat to prepare my nails. Then, I allowed both hands to dry for at least 5 minutes to make sure my nails have absorbed and dried the coat.

S t e p  T h r e e :

Now we can get to painting our canvas. I chose a deep red because I felt like it matched the winter-holiday feel that I wanted and that would also go with all the red dresses I was planning to wear. As you paint, you want to make sure your brush isn't too loaded with polish or else your nails will become clumpy and overflow. But, you also want to make sure there is enough polish or else it will look streaky and uneven. Start at the cuticle and use light pressure to spread out the brush slightly to accomplish the most coverage. You want to have the least amount of strokes so every layer of polish will be thin and buildable. Wait at least 10 minutes for both nails to dry down completely and build up layers for your desired opacity.

S t e p  F o u r :

For our last step, you need a top coat. A top coat is a clear polish that seals down the other layers and adds another shield of protection that also adds a gloss to finish off your look. Similar in look to normal clear polishes, but don't get them mixed up! Clear polish does not have the same benefits as a basic top coat, it only adds the shine. Swipe a coat of any top coat to conclude this holiday look. I used my 3-in-1 base and top coat because of it's multi-purpose. Then, finish off my using nail polish remover and a small synthetic brush or cotton swab to clean up any small mistakes.

F i n i s h e d

You know what they say, your feet and hands never take a day off, so take care of them! Pampering yourself to add beauty doesn't always mean manicures and pedicures, but just a hint of color can go a long way. What are some other tips and tricks you've heard of for nail care? Are there any other designs or patterns you would want to try out?

Phan, Michelle. Make up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success--Online and Off. Harmony Books, 2014.