16 nail hacks for amazing DIY manis

Hi, I’m Sam, and I can never have bare nails. They must always be perfectly painted. Some may call this OCD, but I’m sure many of you are just the same. And if so, you’ll also understand the pain felt when you smudge your colour, accidently paint your fingers or can’t decide on a shade in the first place. So I thought I’d pull together the best nail hacks I’ve come across. This is one for the mani maniacs!
#1 Fix a broken nail using a tea bag, nail glue and a clear polish. Simply cut the tea bag to size, glue it onto the broken section and go over it with a coat of polish.
bh recommends: Fing'rs Brush On Nail Glue and INTENSAE YÜYI 2-in-1 base and top coat.
Pinterest: Inspire Beauty Tips
#2 Hate how hard it is to remove glitter nail polish? Avoid it completely! Instead, purchase a set of fake nails (we like Nailene So Natural Undecorated), paint them with your favourite glitter polish (Mode have a great sparkly gold one called Finders Keepers) and take them on and off as you please.
etsy.com
#3 Add cornstarch to a nail colour to create a matte polish. You can also use clear polish for a matte top coat.
Pinterest: Brit + Co
#4 Similarly, create your own glitter polish by mixing craft glitter or loose eye dust with a clear nail polish.
ebeautyblog.com
#5 Just like with DIY hair dye, when you’re about to do your nails, apply a little moisturiser or Vaseline on your cuticles. That way, it’ll be easy remove any polish that falls outside the nail.
madtownmacs.blogspot.com
#6 Can’t choose a nail colour? Try pairing it with the lippy you want to wear. bh loves these combos:
#7 Paint just like the pros by following this instructional chart.
Pinterest: Makeup Tutorials
#8 Use a lip or eye pencil to apply those tricky rhinestones.
allwomenstalk.com
#9 It’s no secret that most nail polish removers smell awful. And when they spill in your bag when travelling, no item escapes the stench. So to avoid that #firstworldproblem, take Fresh Therapies Natural Nail Polish Remover Wipes on your travels. They’re also great for those with a fear of cotton balls.
#10 Create love hearts using a toothpick and three dots.
thebeautydepartment.com
#11 Dunk your hands in a bowl of icy water to speed up the drying process.
rubywing.com
#12 Use a rubber band when doing French tips. Simply loop it into a knot to keep it in place.
lifehackable.com
#13 No dotting tools? No worries! Make your own with pins and pencils.
thedailyvarnish.com
#14 Apply chunky glitter coats by dabbing instead of brushing for better coverage.
contagious--love.tumblr.com
#15 Put your nail polish in the fridge for 20 minutes before painting to make it glide on smoother.
dweam.com
#16 Can’t stand chips? Invest in an at-home gel manicure kit for a longer-lasting, stronger mani. bh recommends: GlazeMe Premium Starter Kit.
Pinterest: BeautyCross
Have you ever tried any of the above hacks? Do you know any other tricks for the perfect mani?
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98 Member Comments
Can't remember all of these, so bookmarked!
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Gel nails are gorgeous!
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Love these, great tips
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So many good tips. Love the hearts tip. Can't wait to try these!
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gosh so many helpful hints on this, the cornflour, really? must try it - but the rubber band for frenchies, wow I will try it as I hate using the tip tapes!
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Lovely, I finally got around to doing a manicure on Christmas Eve
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These are great tips! I use nail glue to seal up my nail splits, so I might try with the teabag soon :) Also, the chart with the directional painting, I ALWAYS use that technique.
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Love these tips, just learnt a couple of new ones
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I love doing my nails and theses tips were great, giving me some inspiration.
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thank you very interested in these tips.
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So many awesome nail tips and tricks, I am stealing some of them.
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I love nail polish and have more than anybody needs. But there are so many different shades of pink or blue lol
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I love the matte polish tip and the teabag tip is genius!
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Love the matte tip
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That tea bag trick is freaking genius!
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I will definitely remember the tea bag trick and try it the next time one of my nails splits like that. I had no idea!
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oh doing my nails sure does cheer me up
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I LOVE this article!!! wonderful ideas!!
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I have used #1 for when my nail split nearly in half (I know its gross), but it allowed me to let it grow out a little so I didn't damage my nail bed even more. It works extremely well.
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Great tips BH. I'll definitely try some of those
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This is great to see. As I have just cut all my nails to one short size, and have started using some nail products as well as cuticle care, as my nails have been awful. Fresh started needed.
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I'm terrible at applying nail polish. Might give these a go.
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Wonderful ways to cover up some minor stuff ups, yeah!!
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Love all these pictures! I love DIY. They are so much fun, especially when it involves beauty.
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