Sally Hansen Insta Dry – Ca-Banana
Two coats.
Things I'm already planning on implementing after reading through this subreddit. Thinner layers, more time between (or insta dry top coat). Cleaning edges with brush or qtip or toothpick. Less swipes for smoother look.
Help ! It looks so childish.
by Quiet_Wait_6
5 Comments
The ideas you’ve already suggested will help a lot more than you’d think.
Are you used to nail polish on your fingers? If not, perhaps choosing a primary color to start is contributing to it feeling childish? I love a yellow but perhaps the bright primary nature makes it a difficult first polish.
If you’re used to painting your nails, can you describe the childish feeling? Is it the shape, color, length or something else?
Yellows are notoriously difficult no matter the brand. That said this playlist helped me at lot when I first started out.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOxD2QxW6NUGV09-ejYJhW7MIwC5R3thO&si=C76GOFUHVQrx76Z9
I found cremes difficult when I was learning to paint better. The “distraction” of some glitter/shimmer effect made the mistakes stand out less, so I’d be less likely to get frustrated and stop practicing. Then as I improved, I’d lean in to more cremes. That was my journey.
I think a lot of it is the color! Your application doesn’t look bad really. It’s just very bright and unforgiving. Cremes are the hardest to use well. I used a lot of glitter polishes when I was first getting back into doing my nails and it hid all the air bubbles and uneven application.
Did you use a base coat and top coat? Make sure you’re using those too.
It doesn’t look childish to me at all. I love the color on you.
Upon zooming in, I think maybe the coats on your index and middle finger were too thick and did not have enough time to dry.
This is rarely talked about but having a good formula to work with goes a long way. Sally Hansen is kinda hit or miss and yellows are particularly difficult even for indie brands. I’m not saying all S.H polishes are bad, one of my favorites is Insta Dri, Does not Comecute.
So, if you are finding it difficult, it might not be your fault, the formula might just not be good. You did a good job, with practice, you’ll get to where you want to be.