How to make nail polish not smudge

Painting nails neatly and evenly is not an easy task. To have beautiful and sharp paint strokes, you need practice, patience, and steady hands. If you accidentally smudge the paint, you can always fix it!

Table of Contents

Prepare nails before painting

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Remove old paint. To have a neat and even nail set, first you need to remove the old nail polish on the nails. Acetone nail polish remover will dry out your nails and cuticles, so use an acetone-free nail polish remover, if possible.

Place the tip of a cotton swab or cotton ball over the mouth of the nail polish remover bottle, making sure to cover the mouth of the bottle.
Turn the bottle upside down and wait a few seconds for the tip of the cotton swab or cotton pad to absorb the solution.
Rub a cotton swab or cotton pad on the nail to remove the polish.
Wet the cotton swab or cotton pad again if necessary. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Cut, file and polish nails. After removing your nail polish, spend some time trimming, shaping, and polishing your nails with nail clippers, nail files, and nail polish blocks.

Use nail clippers to trim nails if needed.
Use a nail file to file your nails for a smooth finish. File round, square or rounded square nails.
Use a light polishing block to brush through each nail to smooth the surface of the nail. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Soak your hands in warm water. After cutting, shaping and polishing your nails, take some time to care and relax. Pour warm water into the basin and mix some mild cleanser into the water. Exfoliate your hands with an exfoliator before soaking your hands. Soak your hands in warm soapy water to remove the exfoliating product. Soak like this for about 3 minutes, then dry your hands with a clean towel.

After you soak your hands, the cuticles will be softer and easier to push in. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Push the cuticle inward. Stop your hand if it starts to hurt to avoid bleeding. You may feel some pain if you haven’t pushed your cuticles in a while. The cuticle is the part of the skin that helps protect the nail germ (growing part of the nail) from infection. If you cut the cuticle, the nail germ will be exposed and susceptible to infection, and also make the nail more susceptible to deformities, such as streaks and discoloration. Instead of cutting the cuticle, push the cuticle inward to create an oval shape for the nail. This also makes it easier to paint your nails.

Carefully push the cuticle towards the nail bed with the cuticle pusher.
You should also push the lateral edges of the cuticle.
Remove pieces of dry or damaged skin.
Do the same for the rest of the nails. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Tips to paint your nails beautifully and neatly

Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline cream) around each nail before painting. Before applying nail polish, you can take precautions to keep the polish from spilling out of your nails. You will get the perfect manicure by applying a thin layer of Vaseline around the edge of the nail. The oil in Vaseline cream will form a barrier between the skin and the paint.

Dip the tip of the cotton swab into the Vaseline cream. If you don’t have Vaseline cream, you can also use lotion.
Sweep a cotton swab with Vaseline around the edge of the nail – remember to only brush the skin around the nail, not the nail.
Take out the nail polish bottle and prepare to paint. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Expert’s reply

Ask

When asked, “How do I paint my nails without smearing the paint on the surrounding skin?”

Marta Nagorska

Nail technician

Marta Nagorska is a nail technician and nail art blogger based in London. She runs a successful blog called Furious Filer, where she offers advanced nail art and nail care tutorials. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years. She graduated from Northhampton University with a degree in nail art and nail technology in 2017.

TIPS FROM THE PROFESSIONAL

Answer from Marta Nagorska:

Marta Nagorska, manicurist, says: ‘You can apply liquid latex around your nails before painting. Wait 1 minute to dry and apply nail polish as usual. If the paint is smeared on the skin, just peel off the milky glue, and all the paint on the outside of the nail will come off. Liquid milk glue is also available in a variety of colors, both iridescent and latex-free for allergy sufferers.”

Apply a thin layer of craft glue around each nail before painting. If it’s hard for you to keep the paint neatly inside your nail, take steps to clean it up quickly. Apply a layer of craft glue around the edge of the nail for a nice, smooth finish. Milk glue will help protect the skin from paint.

Dip a cotton swab or brush into the milk glue bottle.
Use a cotton swab or brush to apply a thin and even layer of milk glue around each edge of the nail. Try not to let the glue stick to your nails.
Wait for the glue to dry before applying nail polish. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Wipe off the paint from the skin after applying nail polish. As your nail polish skills gradually improve, you’ll be less likely to spill the polish. Instead of applying Vaseline cream or milk glue around the edge of your nails, you can choose to wipe the paint off after you’ve finished your nail polish and polish. Complete the nail polish process with a makeup brush and nail polish remover. This method requires skilled and steady hands, plus patience.

You can also use a clean cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover.

Paint your nails and wait for them to dry

Apply a coat of primer to each nail and wait for it to dry. Primer strengthens and protects nails. This first coat also helps the paint last longer. Apply a thin and even coat of primer to the nail. Wait for the paint to dry.

Sweep the brush inside the mouth of the paint bottle to remove the primer on the brush.
You should always use a primer, especially if your nails are often chipped, cracked, or peeled. Primer will strengthen the nail. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Apply the first coat of color paint with 3 strokes and wait for it to dry. For beautiful, neat and even nails, apply 1-3 thin coats of nail polish. You can control the thickness of each coat by leaving just enough paint on the brush to cover one nail. Remove any paint from the brush by swiping the brush from base to tip inside the mouth of the paint can. Once you have got enough paint on the brush, apply the nail polish with 3 strokes.

Dab a little polish at the base of the nail, above the cuticle. (To prevent the paint from settling.)
Use a brush to pull the dot of paint towards the cuticle – try to leave a small gap between the paint and the cuticle.
Use a brush to sweep a straight line from the base of the nail to the tip of the nail.
Return the brush to the base of the nail. Sweep the brush up along the left curve of the nail so that the paint completely covers the left nail.
Bring the brush back to the base of the nail again. Sweep the brush up along the right curve so that the paint covers the right part.
Repeat this with each nail.
Wait for the paint to dry before applying another coat. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Apply second and/or third coat with 3 coats and allow to dry. Once the first coat has dried, consider whether a second coat is needed. If it’s clear paint, you may need to apply two or more coats; if it’s opaque, you may not need a second and/or third coat. Once the first coat has dried, apply a second coat, if desired.

Dab a little polish at the base of the nail, above the cuticle.
Use a brush to pull the dot of paint towards the cuticle – try to leave a small gap between the paint and the cuticle.
Use a brush to sweep a straight line from the base of the nail to the tip of the nail.
Place the brush at the base of the nail. Sweep the brush up along the left curve of the nail so that the paint completely covers the left nail.
Place the brush at the base of the nail again. Sweep the brush up along the right curve so that the paint covers the right part.
Repeat this with each nail.
Wait for the paint to dry before applying a third coat or top coat. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Apply a coat of polish on each nail and wait for it to dry. Glossy polish makes nails more shiny. Once your nails are completely dry, apply a thin layer of polish to each nail. You can use a quick-drying polish, if you have one. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Soak your nails in ice water to make the polish dry faster. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Wipe off the paint after applying nail polish

Use a cotton swab to wipe the Vaseline around the nails. If you’ve applied Vaseline around the edge of your nail before, wait until the nail polish is completely dry before wiping it off. Once the polish is dry, you can use a clean cotton swab to wipe around the edge of the nail. When cleaning Vaseline cream, you also remove the nail polish that is on top of the cream. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Peel off the thin layer of glue and excess paint from around the nail. Once the nail is dry, carefully peel off the milky craft glue from the skin. When peeling off the dry glue, you can also remove the paint stains on the outside of the nail. After removing the glue, you will have neat and beautiful nails. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Wipe off excess nail polish with an old makeup brush and nail polish remover. Once you’re done with your nails, you can carefully wipe off excess polish with an old makeup brush dipped in nail polish remover. In addition, you also need to use a cotton swab or cotton ball to wipe it clean. After remodeling, you will have a perfect set of nails.

Pour some nail polish remover into a bowl or bottle cap.
Dip the brush in the solution and dab it on the tip of a cotton swab or cotton ball.
Place the brush next to the smudged paint edge.
Sweep the brush along the edge of the nail polish. Do the same with each nail edge.
Use a brush to wipe away the dry nail polish from the skin.
Dip the brush in nail polish remover and dab it on a cotton swab or cotton ball as needed. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Advice

Before applying color polish on your nails, remember to use a primer to prevent your nails from getting stained by the color polish.
If your nails are peeling, try to work very neatly and slowly on the peeling areas.
If you don’t get it right the first time, keep trying, and soon you’ll make it all the time.
If the nail polish is too thick, you can buy thinner. Do not arbitrarily add nail polish remover.
Slow down! Hasty operation causes the paint to smudge and will not look good.
When applying nail polish, start in the center of the nail, then move to the sides. You should only paint 3 strokes. Always start from the cuticle towards the tip of the nail. Remember to wait for the paint to dry before applying polish.
You can use a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover solution to clean up the paint stains on your skin.

Things you need

Nail clipper
File
Nail polish block
Warm water
Pot
Gentle face wash
Body scrub products
nail polish
Glossy paint
Cotton swabs, cotton balls
Nail polish remover
Handmade milk glue
Vaseline Cream

Steps