Nail Foils - Where to Buy Them and How to Use Them

We see advertisements for nail polishes featuring gleaming reflective polish on the model's nails. Sally Hansen's popular nail polish brand has a line of metallic colors, and though they work well, they are not by any means as reflective as they are in the advertisement. If you're looking for a truly reflective and perfectly metallic nail color, you will not find a nail polish that will create the exact look you need. But there is a solution to your problem - look no further than nail foils. The technique is very simple and rather inexpensive:

Purchase foil, the special glue, and a top coat reserved for foils to lengthen wear. Nail foil comes in many different colors and can be purchased at low prices. Dollar Nail Art (http://www.dollarnailart.com/cat_pages/foils.html) sells five feet of foil for a dollar. If you order six dollars worth of foils, you will automatically receive a free adhesive. For only seven dollars you could have six different colors of foil, adhesive, and a top coat to make your manicure last longer. Other sites that sell foil are Trans Design, Inc (http://www.transdesign.com) and Nail Art Plus (http://www.nailartplus.com/nail_foil.html).

When you have all the products you need and are ready to try them out, buff your nails to remove imperfections as much as possible. The highly reflective nature of the foils will make nail imperfections show up even more than usual, so this step is important. Be sure that your nail is clean of dust and oils.

Put on the glue as you would nail polish (evenly) and follow the directions on the bottle. Usually the bottle will instruct you to let the glue dry until it is clear (two minutes or so).

After the glue turns clear on your nails, put the foil of your choice on your nail and smooth it out in one direction.

Peel the clear backing of the foil off. If there are any holes or missing areas, you can repeat the process.

When you are finished, Put on the clear top coat to make your unique manicure last longer and add yet more shine. Do not use regular clear nail polish over top of your foils. It will make the foil crack. Only use top coats recommended for use over foils. Don't forget to put a bit of top coat on the edges of your nails, as most peeling starts here. When you are ready to remove the foils, it can simply be removed with nail polish remover.

Keep in mind that your manicure will do best in conditions such as a night out. Nail foils will not last well if you are doing a lot of work with your hands (doing dishes, for example). Foils are best used for special events or if you don't work a lot with your hands.Remember that like applying false eyelashes or similar items, applying nail foils can take time. There may be creases or bubbles the first time you try, but eventually you will get the hang of it. Remember that it's not expensive to purchase more foil and that you can always try again.

Some tips you may want to remember once more:

Keep your hands clean and dry before applying the foils. If your nails are oily or dirty, the glue will not adhere as well to the foil. Remember to apply the foil with the pattern facing up.

You can cut the foil down to the size of your nail if you like, or you can apply a larger piece and peel it all off when you're done. Whatever makes you more comfortable is what will likely work best for you.

Do not apply a thick coat of the glue. It only takes a thin layer and it will adhere better if it is not too thick. Remember to wait until it is clear and then promptly apply the foil. If you wait too long, the foil will not adhere well, either. It is important to pay attention to the transparency of the glue. Be sure to rip the foil off of your nails quickly, as you would if you were pulling off a waxing strip. Pulling it off slowly can give bad and messy looking results.

If you want your manicure to last longer, apply the special foil top coat once a day.