Nail Art, Polish, and Finishing Techniques
Polish is a system
Base coat, color, and top coat each have a job. Base coat improves adhesion and prevents staining, ridge filler smooths a textured plate, color creates the look, and top coat seals and adds gloss. Two thin coats beat one thick coat every time, because thick polish skins over on top while staying wet underneath.
Finishing details
Cap the free edge with top coat to reduce chipping. Leave a hairline margin at the cuticle and sidewalls so polish does not flood the skin. Roll the bottle between your palms rather than shaking it, which introduces bubbles. Quick-dry drops or spray shorten drying time, but never blow on the nails, since moisture dulls the finish.
The color wheel
The exam loves color theory. Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue; secondary colors are the mixes (orange, green, violet); tertiary colors sit between them. Complementary colors sit opposite each other and neutralize one another, which is why a violet-based product cancels yellow staining on the nail plate and green concealer calms redness. Warm colors (red, orange, yellow) advance and suit warm skin tones; cool colors (blue, green, violet) recede.
Nail art techniques
Freehand painting, striping, marbling, stamping, airbrushing, foils, decals, rhinestones, and ombré all rely on the same rules: work on a fully dry base, keep layers thin, and seal everything under top coat. The classic French manicure is a white or natural tip over a sheer pink or nude base.
Trap to remember
Never apply art products directly over lotion or oil. Adhesion fails and the design lifts within a day.