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
I've never tried putting my nail polish in the fridge before ... I must try it!
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Nail polish wipes sound so much better than a cotton ball! Also, Ive sworn off glitter nail polish because of how impossible it is to get off.
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Love it!
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these are such great hacks! must try the rubber band when doing tips!
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I know ice water helps nail polish to dry quicker, so I would have thought that warming nail polish gently prior to applying would have been better than putting it in the fridge. I'm going to have to do a comparison test. I don't need matte tips - yuk! Give me super glossy shine. I like glitter polish because it lasts so much longer. If you saturate a cotton ball & let it soak into the nail for a few moments it's easier to remove. While the nail is still wet with remover, gently use the curved end of a nail file to slide off the wet glitter bits.
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Ooh I love the heart tip. Great article!
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I'm loving thT nail polish in the fridge tip!
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Such a cool article. Must try tips
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Wow Sam what a comprehensive article! I love it! So many resourceful ideas here that I'll be keeping in mind and also I looove the idea of keeping glitter nail polishes for artificial nails only to save the removal hassle. : )
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I haven't tried any of the above knacks, but they are useful to know. I like the idea the of the rubber band doing french nails.
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These are good tips.
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Haven't seen some of the tips before!
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I remember doing the icy water years back. Thank God for the invention of quick dry drops!
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Lots of great tips. Definately going to try some of them
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So many great tricks!
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Amazing tips thanks :)
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Great ideas, thanks!
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Wow! Great tricks, thank you :)
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I used to be so into nail art a couple of years ago. Now I've bitten my nails down and have nothing to decorate :/
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Lots of great tips! Here are a few I find useful: Mix a some PVA glue with a little water and use as a peel off base coat for glitter...just apply a couple of millimetres in from the edges of the area you apply polish so the polish creates a seal...this prevents the glue dissolving when you wash your hands. You can also use this to mask around your nail when doing messy nail art like sponging on gradients or over stencils. Avoid getting the PVA mixture on your cuticles as it can be difficult to remove without smudging your polish. If you do get some polish or PVA mixture around your cuticles this tends to easily peel off after a shower.
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Some great advice! Now I desperately need to do my nails!!
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Love this article.
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