New York State Cosmetology Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The process of preparing the natural nail before polish application is called nail prepping. This involves several steps aimed at ensuring that the nails are clean, smooth, and well-shaped, which is crucial for achieving a flawless polish application. Proper nail prepping may include cleaning the nails, pushing back the cuticles, buffing the surface of the nail, and applying a base coat. Each of these steps helps the polish adhere better to the nail and can enhance the longevity of the manicure.

Nail strengthening refers to methods or products used to make the nails less prone to breakage, which is not specifically related to the preparation process for polish. Nail moisturizing focuses on hydrating the nail and surrounding skin, promoting overall nail health but also does not directly relate to the prep process. Lastly, nail trimming involves cutting the nails to a desired length, which is part of the preparation but does not encompass the full scope of nail prepping, which includes cleaning and ensuring proper shape and integrity of the nail surface.