How to Paint Nails Like a Pro in Minutes

Co-authored by Marta Nagorska

Last Updated: September 19, 2022 References Approved

Do you want gorgeous nails, but can't fit a manicure into your busy schedule? You don't need to spend all that precious time to get awesome looking nails. You can become your own manicurist with just a little practice, and a couple quick tips.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preparing to Polish

1
Pick the right polish. Not all polishes are created equal. Some have potentially harmful chemicals, and others just look downright bad. There are a number of things to keep in mind.
- Use a B3F, or “3 free” nail polish and base/top coat. These polishes contain no formaldehyde, DBP, or toluene, and are becoming a standard in the industry. They are safer than polishes that contain these chemicals.^{[1]
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- Glittery polish lasts longer.^{[3]
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- When looking for white nail polish, find one that is thick and creamy, not opaque.
- Quick-dry nail polish can be convenient, but it tends to dry out your nails.^{[4]
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2
File your nails.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.} Position the file between your skin and your nail, and move it in short, sharp strokes in one direction. Never file back and forth.^{[6]
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3
Care for your cuticles. Push them down with a wooden cuticle pusher, but never cut your cuticles.^{[9]
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Research source} Soften them with cuticle cream or olive oil. ^{[10]
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- Apply petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the skin around your nails to protect them from polish.
4
Clean and buffer your nails. Use a buffer to buff your nails gently in one direction, in small strokes.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.} Work from cuticle to tip. Use a nail cleaner to remove any dirt from under your nails, and wash them with soap and warm water.^{[12]
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5
Mix the polish. Roll the nail polish container between your hands to mix the contents together. Do not shake it, as this creates bubbles that make application a challenge.^{[14]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Polishing

1
Apply the polish in three coats. Most of the time you will want a base coat, one layer of colored polish, and a topcoat. Sometimes very thin polishes will require a second or third coat of color before you apply the topcoat, but it is important to avoid using too much.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.}^{[16]
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- If you are painting your nails a neon color, use a white base coat to make the color pop.^{[17]
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- You can use a clear polish with glitter as your topcoat for a little extra glitz. Glittery polishes also have the advantage of lasting longer.^{[18]
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2
Use the 3-stroke application technique. This is the technique that many professionals use. Done well, it makes the process of applying nail polish efficient and neat.^{[19]
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- Put a drop of polish at the base of the nail, slightly above the cuticle.
- Push the drop back a bit with your brush until it is almost touching your cuticle, then pull it in a smooth, straight stroke to the tip of your nail.
- Move the brush back to where you started, just above your cuticle. In another smooth stroke, swipe it over the curve of the left side of your nail.
- Repeat the same process on the right side of your nail.
- Erase any mistakes you make with a small brush (an old lip brush, for example) dipped in nail polish remover.^{[21]
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3
Make sure your nails are dry before applying each new coat. Soak your fingertips in ice water to help your nails dry faster. Let them air dry for a couple minutes, then submerge them in ice water for a couple more. The cold will sting a bit, but your nails will dry much faster, enabling you to apply the next coat sooner. Dry them gently but thoroughly before applying a new coat.^{[22]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preserving Your Polish

1
Let your nails dry. No matter what you do to try to speed the process up, nail polish needs some time to dry. Exposing them to too much wear and tear before they're ready never ends well. There are a couple things you can do to speed things up.
- Spray your nails with cooking oil to help the polish set faster, and protect against accidental smudging.^{[25]
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- Don't use a fan. It may seem like a clever way to dry your nails quickly, but it can cause bubbles in your nail polish.^{[26]
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2
Fix any smudges. It's hard to be patient, and while soaking your nails in ice water does make the drying process faster, it always takes a while for freshly painted nails to truly set. Most people smudge their nails at some point in the drying process. If it happens to you, just wet a fingertip with your tongue, and gently smooth over the smudge. The moisture on your finger will help it slide easily, without leaving fingerprints.^{[27]
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3
Protect your polish. Painting new layers of topcoat onto your nails as time goes on can help protect them. Apply more a couple times a week to make your nail polish last longer without chipping.^{[28]
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Research source} A quick-dry top coat is especially good for this.^{[29]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I paint my nails quickly?

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Marta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition.

Marta Nagorska

Nail Artist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Work in thin coats of polish. Try doing 3 really thin coats instead of 2 thick coats for a smoother appearance.
Question

Is one coat of nail polish enough?

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Marta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition.

Marta Nagorska

Nail Artist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

One coat of polish can be enough, but you still want to apply a base coat and top coat.
Question

What are some ways I can decorate my nails besides glitter polish?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

You can use so many more finishes of polish than just glitter! Creme, matte, shimmer, metallic, holographic, pearl, and jelly. You can also use studs, charms, and rhinestones.