Can someone help me please?
I'm really having trouble putting on nail polish. It always looks horrible!
I want to wear soft pink shades but when I put it on it looks streaky and thin. So, I let it dry and apply another coat. That too looks streaky and thin so I let it dry and put on a third coat. By that time it is all clumpy and thick and just looks awful. What am I doing wrong?
I've watched a bunch of YouTube to try to figure this out but I'm still having a lot of trouble. Could it be that the cheap polish I buy at the dollar store isn't good enough? I don't have the same problems with dark colors but I have been advised to go soft and light to de-emphasize my man-hands.

It may be the brand, I've found both brand and shade/colour and type all have an effect, and also the quality of the brush. I also find there is a sweet spot in how much to put on in a single coat, not too much, but also not to little as well. I prefer the gel effect styles, these seem to give a nice smooth finish. In addition, I always give my nails a good polish first, to remove any ridges, so they are smooth at the start.

I apply a base coat to avoid that kind of problem.

barbie~~

I use a clear base coat also. I have found that real cheap polish is just harder to put on. Better polish coats better and usually has a much better brush.
Heather

Megan is right, try different brands. I usually have better results from darker colors like blue, purple, or green. Maybe it is my skin done, but the pinks and reds just don't "pop". I also have better luck without the glitter. Maybe you could treat yourself to a salon job to see how they do it?

1.) clean your nails with isopropyl alcohol.  let dry
2.) apply basecoat.  let dry
3.) apply polish.  let dry
4.) apply a second coat of polish.  let dry
5.) apply topcoat.

That's what I usually do, when I bother to do my nails.  Also, don't buy cheap dollar-store brands.  They tend to clump up when you apply the polish.

Essie is a good brand that won't break the bank, but even drugstore brands like Cover Girl and Revlon will make a big difference over the cheap no-name nail polishes.

Since we are talking nails, what is a good color that will go un noticed on the hands. I may just do my feet for a while, under cover of sox.....

Quote from: RobinG78 on July 29, 2016, 07:01:39 PM
Since we are talking nails, what is a good color that will go un noticed on the hands. I may just do my feet for a while, under cover of sox.....

No such thing!  Even if you just use clear topcoat, people will notice!  Especially other women, who have a good eye for that kind of thing!  You can safely paint your toenails without anyone noticing, of course.  But not so with fingernails!

Quote from: EmilyMK03 on July 29, 2016, 03:56:02 PM
1.) [...] let dry
2.) [...] let dry
3.) [...] let dry
4.) [...] let dry
5.) apply topcoat.

Ugh. And... how long do you let yours dry? This recipe would easily go into 1.5 hours for me, as I usually leave my nails dry for 20 minutes.

Thanks everyone for all the advice.
I have been putting on base and top coats. I think it must be the cheapo polishes and not waiting long enough to dry that are my problems. I hate waiting for anything.
I will put your suggestions into practice, thanks again.

Hi, Tina

I wrote a bit about what I've found to work in another thread, but since we're not allowed to include links until we have one hundred posts and I don't want to clutter the board with repeated content, please search for the subject "Re: I don't know how to properly paint my nails" if you're interested. My reply is No.8.

Yes—cheap polishes are, well, cheap. While better products cost more they are better formulated—and as others have posted they also have higher quality brushes. A good brush makes it much easier to get smooth and even coverage.

Robin, if you want to be a bit inconspicuous you could using just a clear polish followed by a matte top coat. They are sometimes hard to find, but I believe e.g. O.P.I. offers one. (Dollar stores do too, sometimes, at least where I live, but if you go that route I'd suggest at least transferring the content to another bottle with a better brush.)

I use Sally Hansen 101 Cleared for take off, clear nail polish, It goes on so easily and because its clear it does not make a mess of your skin. People will notice but not everyone and not as many people as you think...the ear rings , rings and perfume usually distract them long enough not to look too hard at the nails. I usually do 2 coats and then a coat of hardener and it will last most of the week.

Hugs
Liz

I've had the same problem with midlevel polishes like Essie so it's not just the cheap ones that streak like that. OPI is my go to brand; goes on so thick you may only need one coat and no top coat. 

Quote from: elle's bells on August 01, 2016, 02:17:01 AM
I've had the same problem with midlevel polishes like Essie so it's not just the cheap ones that streak like that. OPI is my go to brand; goes on so thick you may only need one coat and no top coat.

I have found most of the lighter pinks go streaky how about this OPI brand? Have you tried any of the lighter shades? Do they go on well?

hugs

Liz

Quote from: RobinG78 on July 29, 2016, 07:01:39 PM
Since we are talking nails, what is a good color that will go un noticed on the hands. I may just do my feet for a while, under cover of sox.....

I wear clear everyday to work. Some initially noticed but never a strange look or comment about it. I work in an environment that is almost entirely female and that helps.

Heather

I wear clear polish on my fingernails and have lately put a small amount of glitter on my small nails. My company is 90% male and no one has noticed or have said anything. My toes always have a colour and since pink is my wife's colour, I go with reds, greens and anything bright and cheerful, also with glitter as the last coat.
Only a very small handful of people have ever noticed.
I am on a boys fishing trip away this coming weekend so will be in male mode for 3 days  including cleaning all of my nails.
I use a hair dryer to help the curing process especially during the winter.

I usually wear clear at work too. Only one person ever commented, but she has gotten used to it by now.
I bought some decent quality polish a few days ago. I forget the name of the color but it's flamingo pink. I got matching lipstick too. I can hardly wait for the weekend!

Quote from: ElizabethK on August 01, 2016, 02:36:34 AM
I have found most of the lighter pinks go streaky how about this OPI brand? Have you tried any of the lighter shades? Do they go on well?

hugs

Liz

I did try one called Otherwise Engaged which was very bridal, very light, pale pink and went on without streaks. Another thing girls here can do is get one of those 6 (or 7?) step nail files that include a buff and shine side. You'd be surprised how pretty you can get your nails when they're properly cared for and it helps nail polish go on more evenly.

Quote from: SueNZ on August 01, 2016, 08:31:30 PM
I am on a boys fishing trip away this coming weekend so will be in male mode for 3 days  including cleaning all of my nails.

One time I forgot to clean my nails, (and forgot to get different undies!), it made for a very interesting evening at the cabin!!

Clean your nails, apply a base coat and try to avoid the very cheap brands

Good luck

Alice x