How to Apply Fake Nails Like a Pro

Last week, we gave you a DIY tutorial on seven steps on how to apply false eyelashes like a pro. Today, we bring you another DIY beauty tip: How to apply fake nails like a pro.

Fake nails can help you go from plain Jane to glam Cardi. Whatever the occasion is, they give this indescribable lift to your looks and make your fingers more attractive. You may either choose to leave them bare to achieve a natural look or sprinkle attention on yourself by making use of any beautiful nail polish. To comfortably apply fake nails like a pro all by yourself, in the comfort of your home, you’ll need the following things:

Acetone or any other nail polish remover

Cotton swab

Orange stick/cuticle pusher

Pack of nails

Nail buffer

Nail Glue

Scissors/nail clipper

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Nail file

Step 1: Remove your old polish / fake nails

If you’re already wearing fake nails, you’ll need to take them off. To do this, your acetone comes in handy. If acetone isn’t available, you can use some other nail polish remover. Also, having old polish on your nails makes it harder for your new fake nails to stick whether the polish is of clear color or not. Hence, you should remove them otherwise they will end up falling off in a day or two. Remember to wash your hands after using acetone or any other nail polish remover as the chemicals used in making them can dry out your nails.

Step 2: Soak your nails

Soak your nails in warm water for about five minutes. You can add some hand soap to the water but do not soak your nails in oily substance as oil makes it harder for them to stick. Soaking your nails moisturizes your hands, making them soft and nice.

Step 3: Trim and file your nails

Trim your nails with a nail clipper or scissors then use a nail file to give your nails a good smooth edge.

Step 4: Push back your cuticles

While your nail beds are still soft from the soak, gently push back your cuticles with an orange stick or a cuticle pusher. Pushing back your cuticles ensures that you glue the fake nails to your nails and not your skin.

Step 5: Buff your nails

Use a nail buffer to buff your nails as this helps roughen them making the fake nails adhere easily. When you’re done, wipe off the dust.

Step 6: Remove the fake nails from the nail pack

Take out the fake nails from the pack and select which will be suitable for which finger. The largest fake nails should be on your thumbs, and the smallest should be on your littlest fingers. Make sure the nails fit comfortably over your real nail, and use a file to shape the bottom edges if necessary.

Step 7: Apply the fake nails

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You have to apply the nails to your dominant hands first. That is, if you are left-handed apply to your left hand first. This is because your dominant hand has the most control, and makes it much easier when applying to the second hand. To apply the nails, dab a dot of glue on your real nail and then on the part of the fake nail that will be attached to your nails. A few dabs of glue is more than enough for this. Then place the fake nail directly over your real nail so that the bottom curve laps perfectly with your cuticle. Press it down and hold for 10 seconds to ensure no air bubbles are present before you go on to the next one.  Do this repeatedly till you apply on all ten nails.

Step 8: Wipe cuticles with a cotton swab

Take a cotton swab and wipe around your cuticles to take up any glue that has seeped out from under the fake nail.

Step 9: File the nails into your desired shape

 Use a nail file to file your nails into any shape of your choice, be it classic square, oval shape or any shape you like. If you’re okay with the original shape of the nails from the pack, then don’t bother filing them.

Step 10: Decorate your nails

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You can do this with any nail polish that catches your fancy. Some fake nails come with designs on them, but if yours are blank, you can add some extra color to them with your nail polish. If you are tired of the regular monotone style, consider some other designs.

There you go, with fake nails adeptly applied like a pro. But note this, you should not apply fake nails immediately after a manicure. Wait at least 24 hours, as oils in the skin will cause your fake nails to pull off.