How to Care for Hands and Apply Nail Polish for Springtime/Summer Looks

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Care for your hands and nails- once a week cut nails if they are getting to long or collecting dirt underneath

   Use an emery board if necessary to file off any broken pieces and for daily nourishment, always wash and moisturise with a rich hand cream.
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   Step 2: short square shaped nails look most natural.

   Only bother with Pedicures if you are going to maybe be barefoot or feel like it as nail polish on your toes can sometimes be forgotten and chipped nail polish,anywhere, never looks good.
   
   You could try having an indulgent manicure once a week.
   
   Start by washing and moisturizing hands with soap or cream.
   
   Cut nails and file, but be careful not to trim to deep or cut your fingers, as they can feel sore the next day.
   
   If you are going to be wearing very dark or bright nail polish, try to use a base coat ( clear nail polish- you can use for top coat if needed too) and leave to dry.
   
   Remember to sit still! Now paint on your chosen color (if added) and wait to dry again. , For smudge free nails, sit still for at least 10 minutes and always remove polish with nail varnish remover as soon as the paint starts to chip.
   - , Just keep your hands nice if nail polish isn't allowed.
   
   Wash, moisturise and trim ( long nails get in the way of your busy day and class schedule) then paint on your nail polish by doing one thick stripe in the middle and two thinner ones at the side.
   
   Do one hand, wait to dry than the next.
   
   This look is really subtle but still really pretty. ,, Cutting nails is very important for this as long oval nails can take away the effect and small splashes of color.
   
   Use the same nail painting technique as before and leave to dry. ,, Both of these looks are just paint effects. , Using a green nail polish, do some soft zigzags round the top of nail and leave to dry.
   
   Next, very carefully ( maybe using a cotton bud or cuticle stick, depending on the thickness), dot white spots over the red but still so its more of the shade underneath.
   
   This is the fruit, the leaves and the seeds.
   
   Repeat all. , Take one color and paint one thick stripe through the middle of the nail.
   
   Now with two different shades, do two thin stripes down the side.
   
   Repeat all.
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   Step 3: Manicures are when you do the nails on your hands

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   Step 4: Pedicures are when you do your feet.

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   Step 5: Now you know the basic manicure

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   Step 6: here are some classy and casual nail looks

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   Step 7: and a few nail art designs which are all relatively easy to achieve.

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   Step 8: Sassy at school- Most schools prefer it if you don't wear nail color but clear and sheer shades are normally allowed.

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   Step 9: Shades to try- clear

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    Step 10: soft sparkly brown

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    Step 11: sheer brown or pale pink.

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    Step 12: Stepping into spring- bright colors and stand out shades are the way to go for this look!

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    Step 13: Shades to try- Bright blue

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    Step 14: pink and purple

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    Step 15: soft coral and rich red.

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    Step 16: Cool nail art- Normally you would consider nail art with lots of fussy stickers and jewels but effective art doesn't always mean adding little bits and pieces even though it can look very good.

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    Step 17: Strawberry- paint your nails are dark red shade and leave to dry.

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    Step 18: Stripes- Paint your nails with a clear polish and leave to dry ( so your next shades still have something to cling onto).

Detailed Guide

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