I just tried to paint my toe nails for the first time. It looks splotchy. I was wondering if anyone can tell me how to do it correctly.

Practice, practice, and more practice. The way I paint my toenails is that I sit down and pull my foot up on the seat so that the foot i'm doing is beside the other's leg thigh. But I would say just keep trying different positions until you find one that works for you. After painting them a few times it get easier and looks better.

Basic way to do it is lay down a clear base coat, two layers of color, and then a quick-drying topcoat to set it all.

Try to use straight brush strokes, and usually three strokes is a good way to do it... one down the middle, then one on each side to fill it in. And pull the cuticles back, makes it look neater.

That's about it. Rest is just practice and a steady hand.

I haven't painted my toenails that many times ( they are painted right now though ).  I have painted lots of girls nails and painted lots of other stuff.  It is a practiced thing and a feel thing but try to have the paint as thick as possible and still control it.  Get it to "float", nail polish like all liquids has a certain surface tension and will hold a certain thickness without falling off.  This also helps hide the brush strokes and thick/thin spots.

Same ideas as fiberglass, epoxy resins, cement/concrete, asphault, wall plaster, sealants, any kind d of paint, not sure if you have messed with any of that or watched it being applied but it might be something to relate to.

Oh wow I didn't realize it was that complicated. I don't have clear at the moment. I guess it'll have to pick some up when I get a chance.

Not sure why you would be getting a splotchy effect, but the general method I use for both my finger and toe nails is to start in the middle of the nail near,  but not touching, the cuticle and then swipe toward the end of the nail.  I repeat this process on each side of center until the nail is painted almost to each side.  I leave a thin line of unpainted nail on each side.  This tends to give the effect of a slimmer, longer nail which I like.

Nail polish is basically very thick paint and it is important to shake well before and during it's application as the surface of it will "skin" inside the bottle quickly, even between strokes.

If you don't have the quick drying top coat that Carrie Liz suggested, you can do a quick set by lowering your finger tips into ice water.

And practice like the other ladies have mentioned!  Smile...

It helps to push back the cuticle,
In cosmetology school my instructor told me to try to cover the nail in three strokes. Down the middle of the nail, then down both sides. I find that sparkly nailpolish is more forgiving and won't show patchiness as much. Always finish with a top coat to give you a smooth clean shine. 

Also put a toe separator between your toes. That way you will polish the nail and not your toe.

Polish your toes and after a few times , you will feel naked if not wearing polish.

I've been polishing my toes since 12 and i'm 71 now. My favorites are red, fushia,coral, or pink

Quote from: Carrie Liz on July 09, 2014, 11:36:19 PM
Basic way to do it is lay down a clear base coat, two layers of color, and then a quick-drying topcoat to set it all.

Try to use straight brush strokes, and usually three strokes is a good way to do it... one down the middle, then one on each side to fill it in. And pull the cuticles back, makes it look neater.

That's about it. Rest is just practice and a steady hand.

I agree except I have mani-pedis to make sure everything is clean and cuticle free, properly shaped etc. Then paint them myself or my wife paints them for me.

I actually didn't encounter that problem. I got a little bit just off the nail, but not majorly into the toe.

I did orange, but I think blue would have been a better choice.

Quote from: janetcgtv on July 10, 2014, 02:46:49 PM
Also put a toe separator between your toes. That way you will polish the nail and not your toe.

Polish your toes and after a few times , you will feel naked if not wearing polish.

I've been polishing my toes since 12 and i'm 71 now. My favorites are red, fushia,coral, or pink

I don't have anyone to help me in person at the moment unfortunately.

Quote from: Khaleesie Fiona on July 10, 2014, 03:30:19 PM
I agree except I have mani-pedis to make sure everything is clean and cuticle free, properly shaped etc. Then paint them myself or my wife paints them for me.

I'm sorry to hear that. However, with practice, you'll master it. It's not quite as daunting as I thought it would be to do my own. Just take practice......

Something else to consider is the nail polish you are using -- when I was just starting out I always got the cheapest nail polish I could find (I got a lot of those cheap sampler pack gift set things on clearance after holidays), and I often had problems with them looking clumpy, or uneven or chipping easily or taking forever to dry. I still don't buy anything expensive, but I at least try to get recognizable brands or read reviews before buying, and it has made a world of difference! The ones I use now are super easy to apply, dry quick, look great even if I rush it, and are easier to remove.

I just made this account and don't want to look like I am a spammer or selling something so I don't want to mention specific products, but most of the well known brands at the drug stores or big box stores have been pretty good, and are usually around $5-$10 a bottle.

Oh! And one other thing I have learned more recently is to do a couple thin coats instead of putting it on thickly, and letting each coat dry completely before doing the next one. Sometimes I use a tip I heard on a makeup blog I follow which is to dip partially dry nails in a cup of ice water, which helps it set and dry faster.

Aside from the good advice you've already received, I would suggest looking for a you tube video on nails. Also, you could get them done at a nail place and watch how they do them. I've had about six pedis at nail salons. Most times I've gone with my wife and we got pedis together but I've also gone alone. I was dressed in full guy-mode each time. I got a few curious looks from customers but no bad experience at all. You would need to wear flip-flops or sandles that leave your toes exposed since it takes a few hours for the polish to harden.

Kim