Nail polish how many layers

You can totally get away with colored polish and nothing else, right? Sure -- if you want to look like you gave yourself a manicure in two minutes flat. But if you're trying to make things look halfway professional, you can't skip the first and last steps.

The base coat serves quite a few purposes. If you have ridges in your nails, the base coat will create a more even surface. It helps polish stick to your nails better, prevents the polish from staining your nails, keeps the polish from peeling and helps the manicure last longer. And as for your nail color, two coats are all you need. When you're painting your own nails -- especially when you're using your non-dominant hand -- the temptation is to use as many strokes as you can to get things looking more even.

But, as you've probably discovered, this strategy usually backfires, giving you unsightly streaks and clumps. The key to an even manicure is two coats of three strokes each -- that's it.

One on each side and a quick one across the top. Use the same technique with your top coat, which protects the polish and can also speed up drying time. Once you've perfected this method, you might not ever go back to the salon!

Well, maybe that's a stretch. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. And quick-dry topcoats have a higher balance of solvents, which allow them to dry much faster!

Well, there you have it! Do you always apply four coats of polish? If not, will you start? Rewards Free Stuff Promos. Topics nail polish nails. Latest Beauty. Customize Select the topics that interest you:. Street Style. Beauty Tips. Celebrity Style.

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