Perfect Nails

1. Moisturize your cuticles on a regular basis. If the cuticle is too dry, it can become cracked and look ugly. After moisturizing, push the cuticle back gently with a rosewood stick.

2. File your fingernails in the shape you want. Some people like them round, others prefer them to be a bit square.

3. Use a polishing file to give your nails a smooth surface. The first step of a three-step polishing file is to even out the surface. The resulting dust is then removed, and third step is to polish the nail to a shine.

4. Now apply a base coat of nail varnish. This step is a must to protect the nail from staining. The base coat also strengthens the nails.

5. Perhaps you'd like to have white nail tips? In other words, a French manicure. Then this is what you have to do: Nearly every chemist sells white varnish for nail tips. Varnish for a French manicure can either be bought in a practical set or as individual products. The tip of the nail is then painted with a brushstroke of white varnish.
Careful: Continuous "brushing around" will not give you a perfect result. It's better to apply just one stroke of white varnish starting at the outer side of the nail. The coat will then not be unnaturally thick. If you would like a really perfect brush stroke, it's best to use a stencil that can be bought at most chemist's. Important: Do not remove the stencil until the varnish is really dry!

6. Now the whole nail - including the white tip - is given a third coat of varnish. Either rosé, transparent, or cream. Once this coat has dried you can apply another coat if you like.

7. For the final finish, a gloss varnish or top coat is used. And you can also add some nail decoration.