Designer Nails

1) Begin by cleaning your nails with a nail brush or an old toothbrush covered in liquid soap. Polish needs to have a smooth surface to stick to thus any dust, dirt or oils on your nails will ruin that smooth finish. Dry your hands well before you start applying polishing to them.

2) To remove any ridges in your nail surface, apply a base coat. The base coat will get rid of any ridges you have in your nails, giving you a smooth surface to work with. Allow the base coat to dry completely then follow it up with one coat of polish all over your entire nail. If you want your natural nail to show through use a clear polish.

3) Use Nail Art Polish to paint designs on your nails. Nail Art Polishes have a long thin brush and is a lot easier than clumsily trying to draw on your nails with a regular polish brush. The Nail Art Polish brushes are somewhat firmer and thinner, so you can draw with more precision on your nails. If you don't have access to one of these polishes, you can use a toothpick dipped in your nail polish of choice to draw on your nail.

4) Blend nail polishes colors together with a Nail Art Striping Brush purchased at a beauty supply store or just grab one from a watercolor paint kit. Carefully dot the polishes onto your nail and use the thin brush to blend them together while they're still wet. This will give you an interesting marbled effect without messing up your polish brushes.

5) Not much of a painter or very creative, you can cut shapes out of an adhesive bandage or use Nail Art Stencils. Stick the stencil to your nail and trace around it with a toothpick or nail art brush, giving you perfect design or shape,

6) Use clear nail polish to stick glitter and gems to your nails. Craft glues damage both the polish and your nails, and nail glue isn't strong enough to hold the gems on for long. Clear polish will hold them firmly in place. Either brush the polish directly on the gem and stick it to your nail, or paint your nail and sprinkle the glitter or gems on your nail.

7) Apply a layer of "Slow Setting Top Coat" to your nail design and wait for the nail to dry completely.Finish your nail designs off by applying another thick layer of top coat. Top coat protects your polish and any decorations you have added to your nails, holding them in place and preventing cracks and chips. "Slow Setting Top Coat" will take longer to dry, but will protect your finished masterpiece longer.

If you're questioning whether to choose gel nails over acrylic nails, there are basics differences. Gel and acrylic nails have similar results, they can both lengthen and strengthen nails, and make your fingers look longer and more slender. There are some various pros and cons that might help you decide which the right choice is for you. If gel nails, acrylic nails, and other choices are overwhelming you, then one thing you can do is speak with a nail technician (manicurist) who can help you make a wise decision that will fit your needs

Acrylic nails are currently more popular than gel nails, but they have been around longer, which probably accounts for their popularity. Acrylic nails can be whole or partial, used over the entire nail or simply as tips. A mixture of liquid acrylic (monomer) and polymer, which is an acrylic powder, is applied to the nail. It hardens on its own fairly quickly, usually within minutes.

Gel nails currently come in two types, light cured and no-light gels. A gel nail is a pre-mixed polymer and monomer gel that is first applied to the nails and then cured under ultra-violet lights. Light cured are still more common, but the advantage to no-light gel nails is less time waiting in the light. There's also the added benefit of not needing that piece of equipment (the light).
No-light gel nails are cured with a special gel activator that is brushed or sprayed onto the nail. Some are cured by being dipped in plain water.

Pros of Acrylic Nails

1) If you break an acrylic nail you can almost always fix it temporarily, and rather easily, yourself.
2) The removal process is simple and straightforward if done by a professional. The nails can be soaked rather than filed off.
3) Acrylics are very strong. When done correctly and with proper nail care, they can last a long time.

Cons of Acrylic Nails

1) They can damage your real nails in a harsher manner than gel nails can.
2) Acrylics can look less natural than gel nails, especially if done incorrectly.
3) It can be hard to grow out acrylic nails.

Pros of Gel Nails

1) Gel nails often look more natural and glossy than other types of cosmetic nails.
2) The curing time is faster than acrylics, sometimes clocking in at just two minutes when light-curing is done.
3) Gel nail mixtures are odorless.
4) There is less filing involved during the application process.

Cons of Gel Nails

1) They don't last as long and are less durable than acrylic, even though they tend to cost more.
2) Gel nails are harder to do yourself if you like to do home manicures.
3) Nail polish may not stick to the gel finish as well as it does to an acrylic finish.
4) If a gel nail breaks, you may be in for some trouble. It can sometimes be more of a shatter effect than a clean break, so self-fixing a break is not usually an option. You'll need to make an appointment right away with your manicurist. Sometimes they do break cleanly; basic nail glue could be used in that case.
5) Gel nails almost always need to be filed off. You can't just soak them away.