Step 6: Show Love To Your Cuticles
This step is often missed but so important for the health of your nails and overall clean look of your manicure.
Apply cuticle oil to your daughter’s cuticles, push them back if necessary but try not to clip them. Our cuticles protect our surrounding skin and prevent infection. If you find that the cuticles are dry and hard, use cuticle oil every day or at least once a week to soften them up and keep your nails healthy.
Have your daughter apply the cuticle oil to your fingernails once you’ve done hers.
If you don’t have cuticle oil, coconut oil is a great alternative.
Step 7: Moisturize And Prep
Grab your favourite moisturizer and apply a good amount on each hand and forearm. Take this time to give your daughter a quick hand massage and have her do the same to you.
While it’s soaking in, prep your fingernails by wiping them down with rubbing alcohol to remove the nail bed of any excess oils. If you miss this step the nail polish may chip or peel off faster than you’d like.
Step 8: Apply Nail Polish
How you move forward with this step is really up to you. Your daughter may or may not be old enough to apply nail polish on your nails, so use your judgement.
Either way, apply a base coat to protect the fingernails from staining, apply two coats of your favourite nail polish colour, and a quick-dry topcoat (my favourite is Essie – Good To Go).
Use this time to have fun with your daughter and get creative. You can try nail art, glitters and have your daughter pick your nail polish colour(s)!
If either of you are not the greatest at painting finger or toenails listed are a couple of tools that can help.
- For smudged and chipped polish, you can use a Nail Diva to clean a specific nail, protecting your other fingernails from getting ruined.
- If you’re a messy painter, you can purchase cuticle protector. Apply it to the skin around your nails before applying your nail polish and peel it off once you’re done.
Step 9: Maintenance
Moisturize often and apply cuticle oil at least once a week.
About The Author
Daniella Quagliara is an entrepreneur, stylist, and nail enthusiast. Visit naildiva to check out her latest invention and follow her on Instagram.
