Okay, let me walk you through how I ended up doing my nails red this time around. It wasn’t some big plan, really.
I just woke up one morning, looked at my hands, and thought, “Ugh, boring.” Needed a little something, you know? And red just kinda popped into my head. It’s classic, makes you feel a bit put-together, even if you’re just wearing sweatpants.
Getting Started
So, first things first, I had to gather all the gear. Went digging through my little box of nail stuff. Found my trusty file, the clippers, that orangewood stick thingy, and the cuticle oil I sometimes remember to use. Pulled out my base coat – gotta protect the nail, right? – and the top coat for shine.
Then I actually prepped my nails. This part is kinda tedious but makes a difference.
- Filed them into a shape I liked, sort of rounded square.
- Pushed back the cuticles gently.
- Gave them a quick wipe with remover to make sure they were super clean, no oils or anything.
The Main Event: Painting
Choosing the red was maybe the hardest part. I have like, three different reds. One’s really bright, almost orangey. One’s a deep, vampy wine color. And then there’s just… classic red. Like fire engine red. I went with that one. Felt right for the mood.
Okay, deep breath. Steady hands needed. I put down some paper towels first, ’cause I always make a mess. Applied the base coat. Thin layer. Waited for it to dry. Then, grabbed the red.
First coat… always looks kinda streaky, doesn’t it? Let that dry completely. This is where patience is key, and I don’t have much. Tapped my finger lightly to check. Still tacky. Waited some more.
Second coat of red went on much smoother. Nice and opaque. Looking good! I managed not to get too much on the skin around the nails this time, which is a win for me. Cleaned up the tiny smudges with that stick dipped in remover.
Finishing Up
I thought about maybe doing an accent nail, like adding some glitter I have, or trying some simple dots. But honestly, I decided against it. Sometimes just a solid, bold color is the whole statement. Kept it simple.
Last step: the top coat. Slapped on a generous layer. This gives it that glossy finish and hopefully makes it last longer than two days. And then… the waiting. The absolute worst part. Trying not to touch anything, bump anything, or smudge my masterpiece. Sat there like a statue for a good while, scrolling my phone very carefully.
The Result
And that was it! Once they were finally dry, I took a look. Pretty happy with them! They weren’t perfect, salon-level or anything, but they were bright, glossy, and definitely not boring anymore. There’s just something about red nails, makes you feel a bit more confident, a bit bolder. It’s a small thing, but it worked. Made me feel better. Definitely worth the effort, even the annoying drying time.
