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How Do I Choose the Best Manicure Polish?

Misty Amber Brighton
Misty Amber Brighton

If you enjoy giving yourself a manicure, the right nail polish can make all the difference. Before you choose manicure polish, read the ingredients listed on the bottle to make sure that brand does not contain toxic substances, such as toluene or formaldehyde. If you shake the bottle vigorously, you should be able to hear a tiny ball rattling, which indicates the product is being mixed evenly. Avoid polish that is either too thick or too thin because it could be hard to apply these. The right color can depend on your skin tone, clothing, and other factors.

Many inexpensive brands of manicure polish contain harmful chemicals, which can dry out your nails and make it difficult for you to breathe while applying it. Before you purchase fingernail polish, it can be a good idea to read the label in order to see what ingredients a particular brand contains. Try to avoid those with toluene or formaldehyde, and you may also want to look up any other ingredients you are unfamiliar with.

A manicure done with artificial nails.
A manicure done with artificial nails.

In order to apply manicure polish evenly, the product should be well mixed. Most brands do this by inserting a tiny metal ball inside the bottle. You should be able to hear this ball rattling when you shake the fingernail polish. After shaking, open the bottle and remove the brush. You should not notice any dark streaks in the nail polish.

While you are looking for streaks in the fingernail polish, it can be helpful to take note of the product's consistency. It should not be very runny, which could be characterized by the nail polish dripping. The fingernail polish should not contain clumps, which could mean it is too thick. Manicure polish should spread easily, so it is important to make sure it is neither too thick nor too thin.

A person getting a manicure.
A person getting a manicure.

If you are having a hard time choosing a manicure polish color, some of the things to consider are your skin tone and the type of work you do. As a rule, you may wear dark-colored nail polish if you have very light skin, but you should wear light-colored tones if you have dark skin. You should wear tones that are more neutral if you are a business professional because bright red or purple could be distracting to your associates. If you are getting a manicure for a special occasion, you may want to consider matching your fingernail polish to your outfit.

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    • A manicure done with artificial nails.
      A manicure done with artificial nails.
    • A person getting a manicure.
      By: Antonio Gravante
      A person getting a manicure.
    • Bright colors are sometimes considered unprofessional in the business world.
      By: Monika 3 Steps Ahead
      Bright colors are sometimes considered unprofessional in the business world.