Nails
 

So,

I'm a guy, and I've never done my nails before, well, some time back in high school, before my parents caught me. But anyway, I'm painting my nails, how do you do it without getting it all over the sides and under your fingers?

I could also use a guide to eyeliner.

It takes practice. A good thing to do to cut down on getting it everywhere is to not try to put on too much at once.

I'm not very neat when it comes to painting my nails, but when i do i either get my girlfriend to do it or i do it as best as i can and then use a cotton bud dipped in nail polish remover and use that to get it off of my fingers. Also, i find dipping your nails in cold water after painting them helps it dry quicker.

You'd have to practice holding the brush in a way most convenient for you. That's the most basic tip I can think of.

Thanks for the advice. :)

Two words:

Steady hands

lol, never used eyeliner. I like the Egyptian look though, I think thats what I want to go for.

If you manage to paint your fingers as well as your nails, just wait until the polish dries and then peel it from your skin. Also, I paint the underside of my nails as well.

Do a lot of people paint the underside of their nails? I've never done it before but now that you mention it... I think I'll practice that the next time I paint my nails since it always disturbs me to see the underside look so pale and flaky.

I was actually inspired by the tips on this web page:
http://www.waningmoon.com/nails/design.shtml

I don't know whether many other people do that, but I have found that it looks very effective on my extremely long nails.

Try some stick-on nail polish. It's available at other places, other than HT, but not in black.

http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/Acc...als-216661.jsp

I know it has doodles on it, you can always sharpie that out.

http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/Acc...Set-298955.jsp

That's neat too. If you don't fancy the blue and magenta, either save it until you do or give it to someone else.

BTW, with that set, the site's instructions are vague. What one ought to do with that is use one of the nail polishes and then put the sticker on over it, where the sticker fits into the bottom of the nail bed. It depends on how long you want your nails. If you want the French manicure look, go for that look by growing the nail out a bit, painting it black, and using the stickers.

It takes quite a bit of practice. Make sure you put on thin coats and let them dry before the next, most nail polishes need about 2-3 coats. It can be an idea to let someone else do your none dominant hand.

Failing that get a cotton bud with some nail polish remover on and get any you've missed with off.

I got a few positive comments at work on the polish, I did one coat, but it was probably enough to look like I had more :( Anyway, they weren't near what I would call perfect, but first time for everything.

Buy a small flat paint brush. When you get ready to paint your nails, fill a bottle cap or put a few drops of nail polish remover in a bowl. After you paint your nails, daub the brush into the nail polish remover and clean the messy spots from the sides of your nail.
As for eyeliner, try to "feel" the eyelashes with the pencil or applicator or draw on the base of your eyelashes, then make the line bigger.

Back in high school I grew out my nails and filed them to points and found that painting the underside was a great way to unsure they're safety (slamming, jamming or just plain tearing after hot showers). Definetly wait until the polish is dry before you do anything, you'll just make a mess of yourself and surroundings otherwise. I used a Qtip and nail polish remover to clean up the edges.

My desire to go to a nail salon and get 2inch black talons has been resurrected. One day...one day...

Thanks that's another motivation to grow my nails longer again. They've looked harmless for the longest time now.

*Sob* I so wish I didn't bite my nails. I'd just love long, lovely, elegant nails. Pus I have really long fingers so it'd really heighten the effect.

Don't shake.