Why do my nails look shit?

[Fortyin24]

Tried to do a nude manicure at home in a bid to save money. Not had anything done to my hands since November. It looks NOTHING like when I go to the salon for it! They look awful, maybe worse than before actually. Even having no or nude colour, they usually look a lot more elegant after a salon manicure.

I cleaned the nail with remover, used cuticle oil, hand cream, then a nude strengthening polish, trying to copy the strokes that the professionals do - middle, side, side

Can anyone tell me what I’ve done wrong from the photo? And I always keep them very short, so that isn’t the issue. TIA!

How many coats is that? With nude polish I would always do a base coat, 3 layers of polish and then a top coat to get a good finish.

Oh and don’t use hand cream before polish, you want to be applying to a completely clean, oil free nail for the polish to stick properly.

Needs more coats and I personally don't think the colour suits your skin tone

Agree you need more coats and the edges aren't especially neat...can see tiny flecks of polish around skin

Get a good base coat that makes a huge difference. I find seche good. And don't rush. Allow more time between coats

That colour doesn't suit your skin tone and you need to sort your cuticles out. Try a pinker nude.

Your cuticles are a mess, once you sort that (oil any oil) then worry about polish application (new polish if older than 6months)

Gently push your cuticles back before you start so you can get a clean edge at the bottom instead of it going onto your skin.

Thanks everyone

So mostly colour, neatness and layers of polish application, and cuticles

On the latter, when I try to push my cuticles back they sometimes split or sort of curl up. I have a hoof stick and OPI cuticle oil - am I doing it wrong?

On colour, what might be a better match for my skin tone? What even is my skin tone 😂

Could you trim your cuticles? Some look quite long and uneven. When going for a manicure, the nail tech usually give the long 'uns a trim

Push back the cuticles and then trim them as much as you can

Your cuticles need to be cut back.

Colour wise you need something white and brighter.

If you can afford it, just go and get your nails done.
Very rarely do home manicures look nice unless someone has lovely natural nails and do lots of cuticle care.
Quite often cheap salon treatments look terrible too.

Maybe I'm a cow but the show me your nails threads on here demonstrate that.

@lavenderphase I’m starting to agree!!

It won't ever be as good as a salon as they do spend a lot of time, filing and buffing nails and cuticles and a steadier hand for applying polish. I do my own nails but stick to a almost clear colour.

I vote leave your poor cuticles alone.

It just looks like it needs more coats. And looks like there's no top coat?

You're best applying your oils and hand creams after your nails are dry rather than before painting them as well.

I'm a nail tech, it takes practice and even though I'm qualified I still find it really difficult to do my own nails!

If you want to do it yourself you should be using cuticle oil one or two times a day, every day, to soften them and get them into a better condition, it's not used to remove cuticle from the nail plate. When doing your nails you then want to push the cuticles back and remove dead cuticle from the nail plate, use a base coat to protect your nails and help with adhesion, use very thin coats of colour (avoiding getting it on your skin) and then a top coat.

Or just pay a nail tech to do it!

My cuticles used to be awful, splitting and sore. Collagen supplements are an absolutely game changer for nails and hair.

cutting or not cutting the cuticles; i'm not a cutting fan, it currently is really trendy with russian manicures.
now that they are all lifted oil; any oil will do olive, peanut, coconut and my current fave almond. a tiny dab one twice or three times a day and rub all around in under and throughout the area.
when giving yourself a mani. take off the old polish, on bare nails use the oil and take care of the cuticles, then wash off the oil (in a salon they might use remover or alcohol), wait a few minutes make sure everything is dry then put on a nourishing base coat (currently enjoying NailsInc Nail Kale) let it dry longer than suggested and at no time get them wet. apply two coats of polish about 20-30 minutes before bed. this gives them all night with zero water to dry nicely.
good luck

Nail Envy?

That's what it looks like - or as I term it, pink Tippex.

DO NOT cut what people are calling cuticles. It’s not actually cuticle, it’s living skin. Cuticle is the bit on the actual nail.

https://schoonscientific.com/2019/whats-new-nail-anatomy-latest-facts/

Watch this video (and her others) for help on how to care for your natural nails. This video specifically shows how to deal with what you’re experiencing. Once your skin is in better shape, you will find your polish looks better, though I also agree about that not looking like the best colour for you. Also, as others say, don’t use creams or oils before applying polish.

I decided I won’t use this particular money saving method any further and went and had them done 🙂 now looking perfect.

They look great!

They look wonderful. When I retire I’m going to have a manicure every week-love that shade on you. I can’t wear nail polish due to my job so do my best with nail glow. Still looks shit though.

Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover, 29.5ml https://amzn.eu/d/aBTDajM
I use this and it doesn’t cause damage.
I really wouldn’t be cutting them, that could be really messy.
more coats and practice is the only things that I’d say.