This is by far the question I get asked the most! Probably for most nail artists out there. I wish I could tell you my secret but truth is I don’t have one except for the magic word: practice When I say “practice”, I really mean conscious practice. It’s not enough to just do the same task over and over without analyzing weak spots and figuring out how to improve them. Here’s some beginner tips and tricks and lessons I’ve learnt: ☁️ take your time. I know y’all are impatient, but if you want to improve your nail painting, it is worth investing time. Nails are a self-care moment, so treat it as such 💆🏻‍♀️ ☁️ p r e p : nail prep makes all the difference! Especially softening the cuticles, pushing them back and, if there’s a lot, carefully clipping away the excess will work wonders. I also recommend slightly buffing the nail plate and nipping away hangnails with clippers. Also wipe down your nail with alcohol or acetone before you start! ☁️ work under a lamp and take a close look at your nails. Believe me, the way I used to look at my nails is way different than how I look at them now. I notice completely different things than before and it’s helped me improve my nail health & look 💅 ☁️ rest your body. Lay down your hands and elbows when painting and breathe deeply. Maybe do some breathing exercises before painting. ☁️ choose the right polish to practice with: Newer bottles work better than old ones, saturated and dark colors apply smoother than pastels. Go for reds, blues or greens instead of yellows or whites! ☁️ minimize your strokes. Don’t go over your nail too often. I prefer pushing the polish down the middle of my nail toward the skin first and then up and repeating that for each side of the nail. ☁️ cheat a little. Use a toothpick or an angled brush to clean up your sides and the curve. Grab a tiny detailed brush to fill in any gaps that might be left. ☁️ use a quick dry top coat to protect your nails from smudging. Nothing can bring us down like hard efforts being destroyed by an accident 💔 ☁️ appreciate tiny steps: even small successes are what motivates us to keep going, trying, practicing and improving 🫶