Monday, March 11, 2013

3

This week I started painting techniques. It was interesting to learn the proper way to paint nails because I've been doing it in such a mediocre way for so long.  I looked up some of the proper ways and they contrasted highly with what I have been doing my entire life.  I learned that:
  1. When painting the nail, it is best to use slow, small stroke. Do not try to use long strokes. 
  2. Leave about 1mm of naked nail around the paint.
  3. Do not go over the cuticle NEVER.
  4. Use a generous amount of polish.
  5. Start at the bottom of the nail, create a smooth line near the cuticle. 
Here are three sets of manicures I did to my own hands throughout the week.  I think the progress I'm making is already pretty evident.  












My brush control is getting a lot better over the week, I am getting less and less paint on my skin.  Also as you can see in the first set of pictures my cuticles were offensive, and I used the pusher/clipper I bought to get rid of them so I could paint them better.  I have to work on getting the coats more even. Brush control seems to be something that you just have to keep practicing to perfect. Next week I will continue to practice basic painting and start working on designs.  I have a lot of different ideas.  I got a lot of ideas from  this one woman who has a blog called polishandpearls.com who has so many good ideas, tutorials, and tips.  I actually want to marry her I love her. Some of her more simple designs I will start to work on next week.

As I've mentioned, I purchased a cuticle pusher for this project.  I think I only used it on the last set of pictures I did, the red nails.  That was really interesting.  First I had to soak my nails in warm water, then I pushed the cuticles, back into my skin which felt like the most disgusting thing and then used the clipping side to remove cuticle overgrowth on the sides.  It was worth it though, and made my nails much easier to paint.

Also, next week I am going to start practicing on other people.  It feels a lot different to paint someone else's nails.  Hopefully it will be easier and I will have more brush control.
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5 comments:

  1. Caroline AMarch 11, 2013 at 9:50 AM

    I never knew you shouldn't paint over your cuticles. I normally do, but now I know not to. Do you know why you should avoid doing that?

    I really like how you posted your manicures in chronological order. I really did look like you were improving with each manicure. Are you nervous to start painting other people's nails. Do you think it will be harder than painting your own?

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    1. Cara S.March 19, 2013 at 3:56 PM

      Its because it looks disgusting and bumpy when you paint over your cuticles??? And it will get on your skin just no.

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  2. Julia BlairMarch 11, 2013 at 11:25 AM

    Hey Cara! I can definitely see a progress from one manicure to the next. I have a question: If a person paints their nails often, does the strength of the nail decrease? I have pretty weak nails myself, and I don't know if I'm going crazy, but they seem to be getting weaker every time I paint them, but that may just be because I lost my bottom coat oops. I've noticed in nail salons how the manicurists always leave space between the polish and the cuticle, which you mentioned above? Do you know why? Keep up the good work, I can see that you're really passionate!

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    Replies
    1. Cara S.March 19, 2013 at 3:55 PM

      Nope the strength from your nails shouldn't decrease from you painting them. Coats of polish on your nails should actually help them to be stronger. I know you swim, and prolonged time spent in the water will weaken them. I suggest that you get a nail strengthener of some sort. The space between the cuticles is just there because you can't really get all the way up to the side of the nail without touching the skin so its more of just embracing that instead of trying to fight it, and leaving that space so it is all neat and even.

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  3. UnknownMarch 12, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    Cara you have to do my nails! I really like the color of the red manicure that you did. The way that you are spacing your work out over the weeks is really cool. Looking at your topic, some people might not really understand how to space it out, but I think the fact that you filed, and you are working on painting now is really going to work well for you. I can't wait to see how you get to working with details and the really intricate nail art. (I'll bring you food if you do my nails! :)

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