False or artificial nails are the
perfect solution for many “nail events” in your life. They are a perfect
solution for replacing a broken nail. They are great as a temporary fix until
your own nails grow out. And they are there – instantly. What is more, they can
be applied yourself at home and, provided you select the right size and do
something creative to eliminate the plastic look, they can appear entirely
natural and convincing.
False nails can be applied
professionally in the salon, or you can apply them at home using widelyavailable
nail enhancement kits. They come with their own adhesive and are easily cut and
shaped to the style you want.
So, assuming you want to fit the
nails yourself, how do you get started? Here are the six simple stages:
1. First, clean and dry your own
natural nails. Then file and shape them in preparation for attaching the
artificial nails.
2. Then – very important – choose
the right size artificial nail for each finger. File the edges if necessary to
get an exact fit.
3. Now spread a thin layer of
nail adhesive over the whole area of your natural nail that will be in contact
with the artificial nail.
4. Position the artificial nail
such that it is very close to, but not touching, the cuticle. Then apply a light
pressure to the top for a short time to allow the glue to take hold and set.
5. Once the nail is set firmly in
position, file off any rough edges.
6. Apply two coats of nail
varnish of the color you require, then finish off with a layer of topcoat to
seal it.
It’s recommended that you don’t
wear artificial nails for more than a few weeks at a time – say a month
maximum. Then remove them and give your natural nails a chance to breathe and
refresh their growth.
It’s also important that you
always use proper nail adhesive and never just ordinary glue you might find
around the house.
To remove artificial nails, soak
them in a nonacetone polish remover until they start to dissolve and come
away. It’s very important to avoid acetone and other chemicals with an
acetonebase. They will damage the surface of the nail, affecting the shine and
also thin and weaken the nail plate.
Also, don’t try to peel off the
artificial nails without first soaking them in polish remover, and certainly
never, ever try to break them. This could result in serious damage to your own
nails below.
Following the simple steps and
guidelines given here, wearing artificial nails will be not only a simple and
troublefree process but also a delight to behold!