https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:09:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see/page/2#post-1247098 Fri, 09 May 2014 20:18:58 +0000 Kiwichik 1247098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Adding this to my favourites </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see/page/2#post-1247032 Fri, 09 May 2014 19:13:52 +0000 Aida 1247032@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah yes, I know the piano nails well (had to rub out plenty of polish streaks on my parent's piano from slides!). I don't bother wrapping when my nails are that short, it just gets aaallll over my fingers, so I will just make sure that the polish makes it all the way off the nail; I may attempt it a bit with the top coat but it doesn't usually work heh.&nbsp;I just accept that the manicure will last a day or two less </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see/page/2#post-1247028 Fri, 09 May 2014 19:09:31 +0000 Peri 1247028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Aida...I just figured the Nail Envy was a vase coat since that's what salons do, but I will try the real base coat you rec over it and see what happens.</p> <p>My nails are very short for piano, so I'm not sure if it is possible to wrap the tip. I'll give that a try too.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1246372 Fri, 09 May 2014 02:44:37 +0000 Aida 1246372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Peri I know what you're talking about with the flaking, my nails sometimes do that as well especially on the tips when they're longer; it almost exclusively happens on my indexes and thumbs, my most used fingers. I suspect this is usually due to dryness, and if it only shows up around polish time then likely due to the remover.&nbsp;Whenever this happens to me, I will go heavy on the Burt's Bees cuticle cream on my entire nail, the cuticle, and the surrounding skin with extra care put into the tips, morning and night. Helps a whole heap!&nbsp;If&nbsp;I&nbsp;feel like painting, I use a soft emery board to gently file off around the flakes to make it smooth and use a little ridge filler to help protect it. Separate from the remover,&nbsp;the paint itself can be tough on the nails too. If you aren't wrapping your tips, when the polish makes contact with hard surfaces it could be pulling the top layers of your nail up along with it (this sometimes happens to me when my nails are short). Does the OPI Nail Envy work as a base coat or is it just a treatment? It may be worth trying a true base coat over the top of that. I've also had the whole polish come off before, it always amuses me ^^&nbsp;Using a ridge filler could help with that, since that will help the polish adhere better; or if the Nail Envy isn't acting as a true base coat, adding a base coat will help the SV adhere to the polish better. I've heard many people who wipe their nails with either alcohol or remover before starting, but for me that tends to just add to the dryness so I simply wash my hands, rinse very well, and dry them thoroughly. If I've just taken polish off, I'll still wash my hands before starting the next mani so that there is no remover left on them.</p> <p>Jay, thanks for the heads up about how thyroid issues can affect ones nails, which makes sense as it affects metabolism. I have hypothyroidism but luckily don't have any issues with my nails from it.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1246331 Fri, 09 May 2014 02:10:38 +0000 JayS 1246331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>THanks everyone for your replies about buffing. I think I'll just use ridge filler and continue to forgo buffing.</p> <p>PSA: for anyone who's nails split or peel...have your thyroid checked. Both my mil and dil have thyroid issues and both had problems with their nails. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1246307 Fri, 09 May 2014 01:55:49 +0000 Gigi 1246307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FWIW, in the books I checked out about manis, they did say you need to be careful with buffing. As Nebraskim said, it can basically erode your nail plate. I want to say that the books recommended doing it only once per month, and you were supposed to do only up to 12 strokes per nail. The strokes were supposed to be all in the same direction (no back-and-forth), or in an X shape,&nbsp;and you need to stop at the slightest feel of heat. The heat can damage your nail. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1246271 Fri, 09 May 2014 01:41:04 +0000 Peri 1246271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aida, I get what I call peeling...I'm not sure if it is what others call splitting or something different. My nails peel in layers like mica. I've tried every treatment product I know of, and tons of moisturizing products, but it keeps happening. I've stopped all polish until it grows out and as soon as I start polishing again it starts happening again.</p> <p>Also, nail polish doesn't tend to chip on me, it also peels off. Like sometimes I look down and the whole nail is just bare...the polish came off in one sheet. Weird.&nbsp;</p> <p>I wipe my nails with alcohol before polishing and use OPI Nail Envy, either OPI or Essie polish, and Seche Vite.&nbsp;</p> <p>Any thoughts? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1246222 Fri, 09 May 2014 01:12:07 +0000 alexandrav 1246222@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for replying, Aida! That was very helpful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245997 Thu, 08 May 2014 21:18:32 +0000 Aida 1245997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alexandrav, I've heard that as well but haven't experienced much shrinkage myself. In my experience it's been primarily caused by the polish below, or when I&nbsp;don't take the top coat right to the edge (or better yet over the edge) of the polish line then there is occasional shrinkage there. I think it's because of the way SV adheres to the polish below.&nbsp;So I try to keep the polish a bit shy of the cuticle and then the top coat goes just a bit closer to the cuticle still. For example on my middle finger in this image below: I didn't get the SV all the way to the polish line so it shrunk a bit inwards, but on all the other nails where I got the top coat in line with the polish there's no shrinkage. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245981 Thu, 08 May 2014 21:05:40 +0000 alexandrav 1245981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the tips! I bought the Seche Vite a few months ago but I haven't actually tried it out yet. I read that some people have issues with polish shrinkage after using it? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245904 Thu, 08 May 2014 20:00:29 +0000 Aida 1245904@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jay, I feel the same way as Nebraskim's salon: if your nails are thin, then skipping the buffing and using a ridge filler is the better option.&nbsp;Using a cuticle cream on your actual nails could help with the dry aspect, too. My nails are very thick so they can take the buffing, but I have found that makes them overly sensitive so I've just stopped doing it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245732 Thu, 08 May 2014 17:10:58 +0000 Nebraskim 1245732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My salon does not buff because they think it does reduce the structure of the nail. Instead they use ridge filler. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245525 Thu, 08 May 2014 13:54:51 +0000 JayS 1245525@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for taking the time to post this. I also appreciate the brand recommendations..I'm planning on purchasing the Seche Vite.&nbsp;</p> <p>Concerning buffing...my nails are very ridged and dry. I've shied away from buffing because I was concerned that would damage them more. Do you have any thoughts on this?</p> <p>Thanks again! Very imformative!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245458 Thu, 08 May 2014 13:01:51 +0000 Mona 1245458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great tips, Aida! I will skip buffing next time I am doing a manicure and will buy the base coat instead. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245454 Thu, 08 May 2014 12:55:45 +0000 Windchime 1245454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Aida! I'm not sorry to use lovely, lemon-scented BB's cuticle cream much more often. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245314 Thu, 08 May 2014 04:48:18 +0000 Aida 1245314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gigi yes that's right! In the case of quick dry top coats like the one I recommended above, Seche Vite, having the base coat also helps the top coat seal all the way through the paint and make it as strong as possible. The buffing is a good step, but I just have so much trouble doing it evenly and since I have natural small ridges I'm OK with skipping it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245309 Thu, 08 May 2014 04:34:59 +0000 Gigi 1245309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for this, Aida! Well-groomed and painted nails I think can do a lot to up a person's style quotient.</p> <p>When I started wanting more info on how to do my nails, I checked some books out of the library. The books appeared to be geared toward nail technicians, so I think they were good. Regarding buffing the nails, I know I read in at least one of these&nbsp;books that that process helps the base coat adhere better. I can't remember the reasoning behind it, though.</p> <p>I will also say that in the books I read, the base coat was deemed to be necessary not only because it protected the nails from staining but also because there is a resin (?) in it that helps the nail polish adhere better. So it prolongs the life of the mani. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245290 Thu, 08 May 2014 04:17:29 +0000 Aida 1245290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glad all of this info is helpful!</p> <p>Nebraskim, thanks for the recommendation I'll look into Amera cuticle mousse! I also enjoy getting salon manicures, it really can be a nice relaxing experience. If you can afford it, perhaps don't cut them out completely if they make you feel happy :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245262 Thu, 08 May 2014 03:47:50 +0000 Caro in Oz 1245262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel like I have entered a parallel universe. I am totally ignorant when it comes to nails so thanks for sharing&nbsp;:)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245240 Thu, 08 May 2014 03:21:31 +0000 Neel 1245240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marking this as favorite! I can't thank you enough, really! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245231 Thu, 08 May 2014 03:11:26 +0000 cheryl 1245231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fantastic tips. Thanks for sharing. Your nails always look so great. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245177 Thu, 08 May 2014 02:22:21 +0000 Nebraskim 1245177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a huge fan of Amera cuticle mousse. I also get salon manicures using Essie products. I love salon manicures but will most likely stop because it seems indulgent and selfish to lavish that much on nails twice monthly. Alas as I really do love this. Your tutorials are great. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1245041 Thu, 08 May 2014 00:13:54 +0000 Anonymous 1245041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now how did you know I needed these tutorials? &nbsp;Thanks for being so generous with your expertise. &nbsp;You are a gem! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1244929 Wed, 07 May 2014 22:03:42 +0000 Aida 1244929@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amy, from what I've read and heard the gel manicures are <i>really</i> tough both on your nails and on your skin. I plan to only&nbsp;use regular, plain nail polish myself. I think the gel manicures really do need to be applied and removed professionally or else you risk doing some serious damage. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1244926 Wed, 07 May 2014 22:01:34 +0000 Aida 1244926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mona my nails are very subtly ridged so I don't&nbsp;buff my nails before applying polish, just straight to base coat. The process isn't all that long really, just my words I apply the base coat and by the time I'm&nbsp;finished, the fingers I started on are dry so there is no waiting there. The polish goes on right away, and often it's the same as the base coat where&nbsp;the starting fingers are close to dry by the time I finish. The top coat above actually works best applied while polish is still tacky, you just have to be gentle with the brush (I've updated the text). I usually give just a minute of extra dry time before applying a second&nbsp;coat, whether that's polish or top coat. If I did 2 polish coats then I give it an extra minute before the top coat so I don't pull the polish with the brush. Very occasionally, if the polish refuses to dry I'll use the quick dry oil between coats (no need to be careful with that, just a quick covering); more often I use that when I'm actually doing some nail art, but not with plain manicures.&nbsp;All-in-all, it takes 5-7 minutes for a basic manicure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1244920 Wed, 07 May 2014 21:57:18 +0000 minimalist 1244920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What terrific tips! Thanks for the detailed descriptions.</p> <p>My current method of choice is regular mani-pedi at a decent nail salon. But I should use eponychium moisturizer; I'll try the Burt's Bees one you recommend.</p> <p>How do you feel about gel manicures? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1244919 Wed, 07 May 2014 21:56:14 +0000 Beth Ann 1244919@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good tips (sorry, pun)!&nbsp; Thanks, Aida.&nbsp; I just paint my toes, since my hands take a beating, but it's the season for pedicures, and I do all mine myself! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1244910 Wed, 07 May 2014 21:52:47 +0000 columbine(erin) 1244910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the tips, Aida.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1244909 Wed, 07 May 2014 21:52:28 +0000 Mona 1244909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aida, have you tried buffing your nails before applying nail polish or do you just use the base coat? Also, this looks like a long process. So you apply the base coat, nail polish and top coat with enough time in between to let dry the previous coat. Am I right? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nail-tips-and-tools-pt1-the-essential-stuff-you-dont-see#post-1244906 Wed, 07 May 2014 21:51:03 +0000 Aida 1244906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Windchime, it might! When I first got into polish I found that I was getting little vertical cracks and using the cuticle cream helped solve that issue. On unpolished nails I like to work in quite a lot: into the cuticle, on the nail bed itself, into the sides, and on the tip of my finger. With the cracks I used it morning and night.&nbsp;I don't always manage to get it in every night these days, but I notice my nails feel a lot healthier when I do. </p>