So I'm trying to figure out the basics of nail polish.  right now all I really want is clear polish to make it look shiny... but when I go look I don't know what to buy!  There's all sorts of stuff like top coat, base coat, various colors, etc... what should I be looking for if all I want is clear polish?  Is that top coat or is top coat something else?

Hola Ketsy

well you can go a few direction if you wish with nail polish but when i was hrt but not full time i used to also use clear varnish, i found a base coat and a good quality clear varnish like Rimmel diamond or similar was enough to last good finish for a whole week. I do no really worry too much with top coats unless i do design nails as good varnish seems to no require it so much.

Application is everything though, good clean strokes and in few as possible so let the brush fan out i have found to work best for me.

Hmmm.. I can't seem to find this varnish stuff...

I've found this:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=152343&catid=352&trx=PLST-0-CAT&trxp1=352&trxp2=152343&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-CAT

Which is clear base coat... but I can't seem to find anything about varnish.

polish and varnish are one and same. I resident in Europe and is what they often call it here

Quote from: Ms Delgado on April 24, 2009, 05:07:38 AM
polish and varnish are one and same. I resident in Europe and is what they often call it here

Oh okay thanks

Another thing you could try is a nail strengthener. No matter what condition your nails are in, it can't hurt. I've always had pretty nice nails, but I still like to use a strengthener when I just want to wear clear polish. I recommend OPI's Nail Envy--the original formula, not the matte because the it turns a funny color. They also have special formulas for specific problems like peeling nails. You're supposed to apply two coats the first day and then another coat every other day for a week. I get lazy and don't do it after the first day, but I still think it works well.

OPI also makes something called Start to Finish, which works as both a base coat and a top coat, so you could wear it by itself for clear nails and use it with color when you want.

Salons use OPI, and I swear by it. It has a larger brush that makes it easier to get nice, smooth strokes.

First off, most nail polishes are either an acrylic or enamel based paint, and to the degree that painting nails is like painting a room or a house, 90% of the finished job is about preparation.  So a base coat does two things, it bonds with the nail a bit better than the acrylic or enamel does (which tends to chip off) and it sort of flows over the nail surface and gives you an even smooth base to apply the polish to. 

So file the nails, buff them, get them into perfect condition before you start to brush anything on. Then put a base coat, or two on so that the surface is smooth.  Then do the polish.

Top coats are for protection - again with the chipping problem - and nice ones have a 'wet look' or a sparkle to them which makes the polish look better, particularly in bright light.

I like some of the Sally Hansen stuff, its cheep, but I rarely have it on for more than a few days. They have a site (of course) and if you go through the nail product line you will lean a lot of what you are trying to find out.

Ketsy...

I would suggest also going to a nail salon.

Treat yourself, get a manicure and a pedicure.

Ask for suggestions re: clear coat application/product.

I was using the Sally Hansen for a while, the hard as diamonds or whatever, but I found something I like better.

They offer one called hard as wraps, its clear with vinyl in it, so it adds strength and thickness to your nail. I have thin nails, so they are like razors, this helps keep them from being so sharp but also strengthens them so they are not so rubbery.

I just clean them up and out one coat of this, it works well for about a week, and I am HARD on nails. It's not super shiny, with only one coat, which is good, I don't really want it obvious right now anyway.

Oh it dries fast too.

For color Maybeline makes colors and clears that dry in literally seconds. Look for the 60 second polish (it's more like 20 seconds). Others take too long to dry and I mess them up. I hate waiting for my hands to dry. This stuff usually only needs one coat of color, where some others take more. It may cost a bit more, but the less less you mess up, the less you waste, same with coats. In the end, buying better polish works out.

The trouble with the quick dry paints is that you best get it right the first time, as you have very little window to fix it.

And at least here there is a nail salon on almost every street, so it can't be that hard to find one.

Quote from: Leslie Ann on April 24, 2009, 04:15:43 PM
I was using the Sally Hansen for a while, the hard as diamonds or whatever, but I found something I like better.

They offer one called hard as wraps, its clear with vinyl in it, so it adds strength and thickness to your nail. I have thin nails, so they are like razors, this helps keep them from being so sharp but also strengthens them so they are not so rubbery.

I just clean them up and out one coat of this, it works well for about a week, and I am HARD on nails. It's not super shiny, with only one coat, which is good, I don't really want it obvious right now anyway.

Isn't that called "Hard as Nails"? Used to use it for playing guitar...!

I think they make both, one hard as nails, the other hard as diamonds.

Hard As Diamonds is a stronger than normal no chip polish.

Hard As Nails is also called Hard As Wraps, it has both names on it. That is the thickening and strengthening one, I could see it being good for guitar players.


That can be an issue Tekla, maybe it's best to learn with normal slower ones first where you have a chance to correct mistakes. Then once you get good at applying switch. I have little trouble applying, its sitting there waiting for them to dry that gets me. I fiddle with a keyboard, tv remote, whatever and inevitably smudge one.

Yes it's excellent for playing guitar and used by many classical players.

I've used Hard as Nails for ages. Really good. Remember to do the underside of the nail as well. And shape, shape, shape. .

Thanks for all the help... what exactly does 'buffing them' mean?

This is painters talk

If you feel your nails as they grow they have different levels of cartlige in them. Buffing, using the sort side of a nail polisher or a proper buffing brush brings the nail to the same texture across then nail. Makes a smooth surface. Easier to paint and looks better. BTW try going to a professional saloon and have your nails shaped or acryilics put on. I have, in male clothes and there were no comments at all. As Tekla said (?) lots of musicians have their nails done and it's a normal thing. Have fun

Cindy James

I dunno, maybe I'm just abnormal, but my nails are pretty much all the same texture already.  I'll probably go to a salon eventually but for now I think I'm just going to order some clear stuff and see what I think.  I'm kind of short on budget anyway.

Beware acrylics, they can destroy your nails and take years to recover.

As for buffing, if you look close your nails may not be perfectly smooth across them. You just want to make them as smooth and round as you can. Be careful though, you can thin them fast. It doesn't take much. Also a bit of work on the surface gives the polish something to hang onto.

Quote from: CindyJames on April 25, 2009, 05:22:10 AM
This is painters talk

If you feel your nails as they grow they have different levels of cartlige in them. Buffing, using the sort side of a nail polisher or a proper buffing brush brings the nail to the same texture across then nail. Makes a smooth surface. Easier to paint and looks better. BTW try going to a professional saloon and have your nails shaped or acryilics put on. I have, in male clothes and there were no comments at all. As Tekla said (?) lots of musicians have their nails done and it's a normal thing. Have fun

Cindy James

Only on one hand though! The strumming one...