When it comes to applying nail polish, practice makes perfect! But here are some tips and tricks to help you get the best at-home manicure using our Tyler's Trinkets polishes:

• If your nail polish arrived during extreme weather conditions (hot or cold), allow the polish to come to room temperature before opening them. Opening nail polish before it has reached room temperature can result in excess evaporation and thickening of the formula.

• To help prevent lifting, gently push back any grown-out cuticle with an orange-wood stick (A.K.A. manicure stick) or cuticle pusher tool.

• If you have naturally oilier nails, or find that your polish chips off very quickly, prep the nail surface by wiping it with rubbing alcohol or 100% acetone before painting. Avoid using nail polish remover for this step as many removers contain oils & additives (to help prevent drying of the skin) which can actually make the polish less likely to adhere.

• Shorten or shape your nails using a glass nail file before cleaning the nail surface (above).

• For the maximum wear time, always apply a base coat and top coat to your manicure.

• Allow any base coat to dry for a few minutes before applying polish over top. You should be able to lightly touch the nail without any stickiness.

• If you have longer nails, staining, or a more prominent nail line, try using a "blurring" or tinted base coat which is designed to help even the color of the nail surface and hide any staining or nail line.

• Apply polish with a light hand - too much pressure will actually pull other layers/base coat off the nail.

• Apply thin coats. 2-3 thin coats of polish will dry much faster than 1-2 heavy/thick coats.

• Allow each coat to dry for a few minutes before applying the next. Similarly to the basecoat, you should be able to very lightly touch the nail without any stickiness.

• If you get polish on your finger or the cuticle area, it is important to clean it off before the polish completely dries. Polish that has dried over the cuticle/skin will pull up and start to chip/peel very quickly.

• You can use an orange-wood stick to lightly scrape off any wet polish that gets on the cuticle/finger.

• To get a clean line along the bottom (cuticle) edge of the nail, use a pointed cotton swab, or a small brush (cheap eyeliner brushes, or specifically made nail "cleanup brushes" work best) dipped in 100% acetone to cleanup any uneven polishing.

• Once you've finished your manicure and your nails are "touch dry", avoid tasks that could put pressure or blunt objects on the nail while it fully dries out (usually 1-2 hours).

• If nail polish has gotten around the rim or groves of the bottle, use a paper towel or lint-free cotton pad, with some 100% acetone or nail polish remover to wipe the neck of the bottle. This helps prevent the cap from getting stuck on the bottle due to dried polish.

• When removing nail polish, always protect your work surface! Nail polish removers can quickly and easily damage the finish on surfaces, especially stained or varnished materials.

• For removal of dark or heavily pigmented colors (like black): Rubbing remover back and forth on the nail often results in staining of the skin surrounding the nail. This can be avoided using the "hold-and-pull" method: Apply some remover to a cotton ball or pad and gently press down on the nail for a few seconds. Then, using slight pressure, pull the cotton from the base to the tip of the nail in one motion. Then fold or replace the cotton before repeating the process.

• For removal of glitter or confetti style polishes/toppers: Most glitters are designed to be solvent resistant, so that they don't break down in the nail polish over time. This can, however, make them more difficult to remove since they won't breakdown easily from the remover either. For stubborn glitters, take a nail file or buffing block and gentle buff the surface of the polish to break the seal on the glitters. If some glitters are still stuck to the nail after remover, use a non-metal tool (orange-wood stick) to gently push the glitter off the nail.

• Nail polish is flammable - it should never be kept near open flames or heat sources.

• Ensure the cap is completely and securely tighten on the bottle before storing.

• Store your nail polish bottles upright, at room temperature. Avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures as these can damage the formula and result in unusable polish.

• Some pigments and chemicals can be impacted by excessive UV light, leading to colors changing, yellowing, or fading. It's best to store any nail polish in a dark area, such as a drawer, away from direct sunlight.

• Most nail polish bottles are glass - avoid storing them in places where they could potentially fall and break.

• If nail polish has gotten around the rim or groves of the bottle, use a paper towel or lint-free cotton pad, with some 100% acetone or nail polish remover to wipe the neck of the bottle. This helps prevent the cap from getting stuck on the bottle due to dried polish.

• It is natural for nail polish to thicken over time, especially with extensive use. Every time you open a nail polish bottle, you're exposing it to air which causes it to begin drying. If a nail polish has become thicker than you'd prefer, you can add a few drops of nail polish thinner, secure the cap, and shake thoroughly. Repeat this process with a few drops at a time until the desired consistency is met.