Right, so I need to know about nails please...

[valiumredhead]

Recently discovered Leighton Denny polishes and acquired a few on ebay as MUCH cheaper! really impressed with them as they last ages and don't chip and I'm not one for wearing rubber gloves when cleaning.

BUT, some of the colours are very sheer and show up every imperfection if the nail isn't perfect before painting. How do you get the nail 'clean?' - I use nail varnish remover then wash and dry my hands. Should I be buffing or something as well? I always seem to leave a stray bit of fluff from the cotton wool pad behind however careful I think I am being.

Advice much appreciated :)

Anyone :)

Oops forgot the ?

Do you use a base coat? I decent base coat should solve your problem.

No I don't How is it different from just using 2 coats of the nail varnish?

Not sure but worth a try - or use three coats :)

You could use felt instead of cotton wool, it doesn't leave bits behind on the nail. Get a good ridge filling base coat to smoothe out your nail bed, it will cover nail imperfections and make your polish last longer as it adheres to the nail better. Make sure to buff the nail about once a month and use cuticle oil/cream to keep your nails smooth and flake free.

Felt? The only felt I know is craft felt, do you mean that?

I now have base coat - will report back when I have done nails!

Yes craft felt. I'm a bit nail obsessed and a lot of the big nail bloggers/mua boarders use felt as it doesn't leave bits behind and makes removing glitter polish easier cos it doesn't shred.

Base coat is clear and gives a smooth surface to put your polish on. It also stops the skin round the nails staining if you've used bright or dark colours.

I know you've already bought your base coat, but there are different ones that claim to have different properties as well (although I don't know how effective they actually are) ? moisturising ones, strengthening ones etc.

I use one called practically perfect by no7 that I use as a base coat.

Thanks for the advice - the base coat ( bog standard Barry M) has made a massive difference and will try the felt as well once I have bought some :)