Isla Bennett
Matte nails are a hot trend in the fashion world, and there are several ways to achieve this look. One popular method is to use a matte top coat, which can be purchased or made at home by mixing clear nail polish with a fine powder such as cornstarch, baby powder, or baking powder. Another option is to mix the powder directly into your nail polish, creating a custom matte colour. Additionally, you can lightly buff your nails after painting them to remove the shine and achieve a matte finish. For a temporary solution, you can apply powder to your wet nails and dust it off, creating a matte effect until the next wash.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To create a matte finish on nails |
| Ingredients | Baking powder, cornstarch, baby powder, or fine flour |
| Tools | Small bowl, toothpick, nail polish brush, funnel, sifter, makeup brush, nail buffer |
| Process | Mix powder with nail polish, apply to nails, dust with powder, brush off excess |
| Tips | Work quickly, Mix in small amounts, Use a separate container, ensure even coating, use a soft-bristled brush |
| Alternatives | Use a matte top coat, lightly buff nails, use steam, or mix with eyeshadow |
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What You'll Learn
Using a matte top coat
To use a matte top coat, start by gathering your supplies. You will need a matte top coat polish, such as CND Vinylux Matte Top Coat or OPI Nail Treatment Matte Top Coat, and your choice of nail colour. It is recommended to use solid-coloured polishes, as multi-hued, pearlescent, and glittery polishes may not look as desirable with a matte finish.
Begin by painting your nails with your chosen colour. Allow the nail polish to dry completely before proceeding to the next step. Once your nails are dry, simply brush on a layer of the matte top coat, just as you would with a traditional glossy top coat. This will transform your shiny manicure into a chic matte finish.
If you do not have a matte top coat on hand, you can create your own by mixing clear nail polish with cornstarch or cornflour. You can also add a small amount of matte eyeshadow, skin-safe mica powder, or cosmetic pigment powder to enhance the matte effect. However, it is important to mix these ingredients in a separate container and not directly in your nail polish bottle to avoid clumping.
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Mixing baking powder with nail polish
To create a matte manicure at home, you can mix baking powder with your nail polish. This method is a great alternative to purchasing a matte topcoat.
Firstly, you will need to gather your supplies. Ensure your nails are painted with the colour of your choice and are still wet. If you plan on using matte nail polish often, consider making an entire bottle of matte polish. To do this, use a partly-filled bottle of nail polish and pour the baking powder through a tightly-woven sifter into the bottle. You can also add in a pinch of cornstarch to make the finish even more matte. If you are making a small amount, place a few drops of nail polish in a clean dish.
Next, add in a small amount of baking powder. You can use a toothpick to mix the powder into the polish. If you are making a large batch, use a funnel to pour the powder into the bottle of nail polish. Do not add too much powder at once, as this will make your polish too thick. Mix the powder and polish thoroughly. The polish should be thicker than usual but remain spreadable.
Finally, apply the mixture to your nails. The polish will not look matte when it is wet, but it will dry with a matte finish. You can also dust the painted, wet nails with baking powder, let it sit for a few seconds, and then brush off the excess powder. This will give the nail polish a matte effect.
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Buffing nails post-paint job
Buffing your nails is an important step in achieving a smooth and glossy finish. It can be done before or after painting your nails, but the process may differ slightly depending on the desired outcome. Here is a guide to buffing your nails post-paint job:
Before you begin buffing, ensure that your nails are dry. Buffing wet nails can create friction and heat, which can damage your nails. Once your nails are dry, hold the buffing block parallel to your nail. Use the coarse side of the buffer block and stroke it across each nail gently in an X shape. Avoid buffing side-to-side and be careful not to press too hard, as this can weaken your nails. Aim for around six to eight strokes per nail to avoid over-buffing.
After buffing, use the finer grit side of the buffer block to polish your nails. Again, hold the buffer parallel to your nail and use unidirectional strokes. This step will help remove any missed imperfections and make your nails even smoother. Finish by using the smooth side of the buffer block in little circular motions to add shine to your nails.
Finally, nourish and moisturise your nails and fingertips by applying cuticle oil. Massage the oil into your cuticles and the skin surrounding each nail. This step will leave your nails feeling smooth and looking healthy. It is recommended to limit buffing your nails to once a month to avoid causing damage or making your nails brittle.
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Using steam to create a matte finish
First, paint your nails as you normally would. You can use any colour of your choice, but solid colours tend to work better than multi-hued, pearlescent, or glittery polishes. You can also add some loose glitter onto the almost-dry nail polish if you want to experiment with glitter over matte polish.
Next, heat up a pan of water on the stove. You don't need a large pan for this, as a small saucepan will do. Once the water is boiling, simply place your hand over the pan for 3-5 seconds to let the steam do its work. Move your hand and fingers slowly to ensure that the steam reaches all parts of your nails and creates an even matte finish.
You can also try another steam method that involves using a facial steamer. While your nails are still wet, hover them over the steam from the facial steamer. After a few seconds, you'll notice that your nails will have a matte finish when removed from the mist.
It's important to remember that you're only steaming your nails for a few seconds, and your fingers may catch some moisture, but it shouldn't affect the polish. This method creates a matte finish by making the nail polish opaque and carefully drying the enamel.
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Using a dip powder manicure
A dip powder manicure is a method of applying colour and a hard acrylic finish to nails. It is a semi-permanent nail polish that dries without the use of a UV lamp and can last up to four weeks. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a matte nail look using a dip powder manicure:
Firstly, prepare your nails by filing them to your desired shape and length. Buff the nails to take away any shine and apply a bonder or dehydrator. You can use rubbing alcohol for this step if you don't have a bonder.
Next, apply a thin layer of Pro Base or a super glue-like base from the base to the tip of your nails. Then, dip your nails into a coloured acrylic powder. You can cover the whole nail or try the "Tik-Tok method" for shorter nails. This involves dipping the top third of the nail, then two-thirds, and finally the whole nail, adding bulk and durability to the top of the nail.
After dipping, remove your finger from the pot and let the powder settle for a few seconds. Brush off any excess powder and ensure there aren't any wet areas on the nail. Repeat the dipping process 2-3 times, depending on how thick you want the nails and how pigmented the powder is.
Once you have achieved your desired colour, apply an activator to harden the manicure. This will dry in a minute or two, and you can use a nail file to smooth out any bumps.
Finally, to achieve the matte look, you have two options. You can either buff the shine off your nails, or you can apply a matte top coat. If you choose to buff, simply use a nail buffer to remove the shine, and then apply the activator to seal your manicure. If you choose to use a top coat, apply a matte gel top coat, such as the one by OPI, and then apply the activator.
And that's it! You now have a stylish and long-lasting matte nail look using a dip powder manicure.
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Frequently asked questions
First, paint your nails with your chosen colour. Then, while your nails are still wet, dust them with baking powder. Allow the powder to sit on your nails for a few seconds, before brushing or rinsing it off.
You should use a small amount of baking powder, as too much may cause clumps. You can always add more powder later.
Solid colours tend to work best for matte nails. Multi-hued, pearlescent, and glittery polishes may not look good when mixed with powder.
If the powder dries into the polish, dip your brush into some water and try brushing it off again.
Yes, you can use cornstarch, baby powder, fine flour, or a matte top coat.
