Brazilian vs. American: Battle of the Nail Polish Application Styles! 

I always mean to do an “American” manicure but I unintentionally do a “Brazilian” manicure 😂

It's so satisfying to paint a perfect nail without having to clean it up.

You explained this so beautifully without even remotely offending anyone that prefers either one technique or the other. I personally realize that this is a preference. I chuckled at Janixa’s video. I loved that one too. I personally hate flooding my cuticles because it would take me forever to do a cleanup like that and I paint my nails when I am stressed or depressed for a very quick pick me up. Painting nails should be fun and everyone should do it the way they want. Thank you for also highlighting that in Cuba they don’t have all the fancy necessary brushes and stuff you can get on Amazon. I am obviously not Cuban but you were informative that some people in certain countries use what they have available on hand and not everyone has access to accessories that would allow for certain techniques. Appreciated.

I am from Cuba as well, and I have to tell you, you made me laugh hard because You are TOTALLY RIGHT! The gap was not acceptable, lol. It took me a while to learn why manicure looked so clean in the US, and once I learned how to paint my nails that way, I NEVER WENT BACK! Great demonstration!

I am from Brazil and have been living in the US for roughly ten years. I do my own nails using the Cuban technique, which is used in Brazil as well as mentioned in the video. I get compliments 10 out of 10 times from Americans for how my nails look and how it even look like fake nails because they can’t see any gap. Not to mention that it lasts a lot longer. I can go at least seven days with them looking pretty fresh. I never paid to go to get my nails done in the US and never will, just because I refuse to pay to get out of the salon with my nails looking like they have been polished days ago in a hurry. I can notice the difference, and it bothers me, so I prefer to spend some extra time. This is MY experience and opinion. Everyone is different. Thank you for showing a different technique!

My personal style for years, before Instagram and RU-vid, was to slap on some polish in the evening, not quite as much on my skin as the Cuban method you showed, and then after my morning shower whatever got on my skin would just peel right off. Now I do the American way you demonstrated. Makes it easier to do my nails any time of day and not have a mess on my skin if I have to go out. I will admit though that the gap is annoying to me.

I am from Jamaica, i went to cosmetology school and the way you do it in cuba we do for people with deep side walls, but we apply petrolum jelly on the skin, and clean up just the same way with the orange wood stick. !! One love.

I'm American but have always done the Cuban way. I hate the gap! Lol 💅 love the video! Very interesting ❤️

American lady here, and I almost screamed when I saw the Cuban method!! I can certainly appreciate the method, but (especially with dark colors or glitters) I know I personally would never be able to achieve a completely clean result. Both methods require practice and care. Thanks for this very interesting video topic!!

I wish I could like this twice! It was hilarious, fascinating, AND a good reminder for us all to keep an open mind. I teach ESL, and I never stop being amazed all the different ways cultures approach just about anything in life. So many things we might take for granted are done differently in another culture.

I'm venezuelan and I'm a nail tech in Mexico, and my mom was a manicurist for 25+ years back home. I grew up watching her paint nails like "cuban" style, obviously not as messy because she did have a lot of experience. She would use the wooden stick and I always try to get as close to the cuticle as I can because I am so influenced by her work and how she would worry so much about doing quality work, although she didn't have to deal with gel application and I do, so I kinda go for the "American style". What I do sometimes is take a liner brush to really paint closer without making such a mess, but it's not always necessary, and you're absolutely right! Most clients don't even mind the gap cause you can't really see it!

So glad you did this video because I see way too many people criticizing others for how they do their nails. I am old school Canadian and I hate a gap (mostly due to OCD) but I have never seen a gap left in my life until RU-vid. I do my nails similar to the last nail you did and I always like the outcome. Very little clean up and my nails look complete.

I am so glad I watched this video, it explained a lot. I recently had a pedicure done in a high end salon, and the lady who painted my toes did the Brazilian technique. I of course didn't know about this technique and I thought she had the shakes, she had polish everywhere! She did clean it up well. Learn something new everyday.

I was a cosmetologist in the early 70’s in Colorado. We used a combination of both methods to polish the nails.

I’m American and I prefer the Brazilian or “Cuban” way. It’s much more satisfying to me on the nail and more fun to watch videos of

“This a$$hole”……that’s my favorite line!! 😂😂😂

I only recently started doing "American" instead of "Cuban", simply because I didn't know better. You are so right about how no one sees the gap but you! Anyway I LOL'ed when you called the orange stick "this asshole".

I just loved this video. Idk why, I’ve been painting my nails for probably thirty years. I’ve used the wooden stick, the asshole cotton balls and the clean up brush. They all have their place. You just cracked me up. Thank you 😘

I was SO CURIOUS about this after seeing Janixa’s video and I thought it wasn’t a technique, just a mess! I truly didn’t understand! I would never choose to slop nail polish on my skin, but I get it now! Thank you for the enlightening video! XOXO Heidi

I used to do it the "Brazilian" way and my god it was a pain in the butt to remove, my cuticles ended up stained and sometimes I ruined the polish while cleaning up. Now after watching Cristine's videos I started to leave the gap and my manicure lasts so much longer and it looks so much better... I still mess it up from time to time tho 😅

I am portuguese and most of our manicures are brazilian. They are amazing! It doesn't take long to clean up at all. It's almost automatic, they are so quick! And the nails last so much longer! Now if I am doing this myself, I would go not touching the skin.

HAHA the clean up brush thing is so true. When I was younger I would clean up my manicure in the shower or hot water. I also remember a friend from High School using her thumbs as “clean up tools” and paint them last and hope for the best when painting them.

I think I was Cuban or Brazilian in a past life. I strive to paint my own nails with the gap, but I always end up looking like the one from Cuba & Brazil. It never fails. Painting my own nails is a time consuming mess. But I freaking love it. 🥰

“And then it’s like no” 😂 I used to do my nails the Cuban way because I haaaate the gap but if I accidentally ruined my nails before they dried I would almost have a nervous breakdown at the thought of having to fix it. I get why you said it was a pain at every opportunity!

I’m just admiring how that first swatch was so quick and perfect 💕 I don’t like a big gap but yours is so tiny I don’t even notice! With certain formulas I can paint my nails super easy like that but more often I get some on the side of my nails. Some of my nails are super curved so I’m blaming that lol. I just make sure to wipe it with my thumb so it doesn’t create a bond between the nail and skin, then let the remaining polish get washed away later. Anyways, I admire your skill! 💅🏼

The purpose of the video obviously is to demonstrate how nails are done in some other countries. Although it may seem like we spend a long time cleaning up the edges, as a Brazilian, I guarantee we don’t waste that much of nail polish 😬 What we do is just slightly overpassing the nail limit onto our skin 🙂. What Brazilian manicures also do is covering all finger nails of one hand with nail polish at once, then they come with the stick with no cotton on the tip just “contouring” the cuticles and they do all fingers quickly before it dries. Finally, they add cotton to the tip of the wooden stick with nail polish remover and then proceed to remove the excess off the skin. It’s a little more work but the clean natural look pays it off, not to mention that it lasts longer as she mentions in the video 😊

Super interesting video, thank you for posting! I love having painted nails but don’t have a very steady hand and hate paying salon prices, so I usually apply “Brazilian style” a bit before a shower. The polish flakes off easily and looks great afterwards, so it feels like the best of both worlds. The only major negative is that you have to time when you do your manicures a bit more carefully.

I guess I’m a Cuban at heart because I’ve always hated a gap on my nails, but then when I do make a mess, I was wondering what was wrong with me! Good to know that there are countries out there beyond the US that prefer my way. Thanks!

Back when my mom went to beauty school in the US (late 1980s) they taught to leave a gap on the sides to provide a long lean appearance. I never liked that when my mom painted my nails so I always went right up to the skin, I don’t like gaps either because my nails grow too fast and then it lifts and catches my hair. I typically clean up with an orange stick as well and only recently got my first brush but it drives me crazy when the polish is super pigmented and the wet cleanup brush smears the pigments around in every little imperfection on my skin.

This was so well done! Very informative and answered all of the questions this American manicurist had, thank you! ❤️

I do the “American” way but I did enjoy learning about the “Cuban” way and your commentary as always!!

It's important to mention that you are using a very good coverage nail polish. When you have to make several layers with the American method (in case you have a low coverage polish), nail will have a much more rough finish, with a thick coat of polish, which is less long-lasting. Also, brazilian ppl love to super duper remove cuticles, so it will have a different overall appearance whit polish covering the whole nail.

I'm Italian and I've just discovered the Brazilian manicure style! It's mesmerizing to see people painting the nail and the finger, because I'm so used to be careful not to touch my skin with the nail brush and they just paint all the finger 😂 it's somehow relieving, I don't know. Something like "f*ck the system"

The gap has become a thing because it is important with gel polishes not to cure any of it on your skin as this can cause allergic reactions. As someone with small nails and a deeply recessed nail bed, it has always been incredibly easy for me to flood my cuticles without meaning to, and with the base and top coats it can be hard for me to see that and be able to know it happened until it is cured. I have learned how to 1) apply the polish better to begin with, and 2) try to leave a little bit of a gap at the top. Since the gel self-levels, by the time I get all four fingers painted, it has had time to settle and flow back towards the cuticles enough that the gap is not noticeable. With regular polish, again the size of my nails means that more often than not, it gets on the cuticles/skin unless I apply a liquid latex peel, but I don't often use very strong colors, so I don't sweat it staining my skin. It peels off the next day when I wash my hands. All in all, I think I prefer the cleaner method of leaving a SMALL gap, though, so I'm not drying out my skin with more acetone than is necessary.

My hands are too shaky to give myself an American-style manicure. I have been doing the thing with getting it all over my cuticles, using a stick, then cleaning up (or sometimes I put latex around the edge of the cuticle for easier clean up. I even take cotton and put it around a toothpick for better clean up. I had no idea it was a thing, I thought I made it up and it was 'wrong' but it was just easier for me. Now if anyone questions my messy in-progress nails I can just tell them I do a 'Brazillian style' or 'Cuban style' manicure. I love it! Thanks!

Absolutely fascinating! Helps to have the context when we observe both appreciation and criticism to techniques and change. 🙂

I wanted to express my gratitude for the valuable content you've been producing. Your videos have been very informative and easy to understand, and I appreciate the effort you put into making them. Your expertise is evident, and I feel like I'm learning a lot from you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in such a clear and concise way!🙏🏾 I sincerely appreciate the effort you put into creating your videos. Your expertise shines through, and I'm gaining so much knowledge from your content. Thank you for sharing your wis

Thank you! Yes! I love that you actually showed both processes. 👏🏻 I had no idea the Brazilian/Cuban manicure was a thing until this year😅 when I first saw it on insta I thought it was a joke, making fun of ppl who didn’t know who to paint their nails. (Of course I would never comment that tho 😒😅)

I do my own gel polish, and I guess I do a combination of techniques. I hate leaving a gap because it's shows up quickly when your nails grow. But I don't flood the nail, I get close enough to the sides and cuticle that some of the polish spills over, it's a little annoying to clean up but worth being able to keep my nails a few days longer.

Thank you. I’ve never thought about differences before, but it does make sense. Thank you.

I always paint my nails the Brazilian way, simply because I hate the gap. Cleaning up is not really an issue for me.

I’ve had manicures done in both styles. As a consumer, 1. the Latin/Brazilian style ensures a flawless paint job EVERYTIME. It’s so disappointing paying for “professional” service and sometimes the nail tech’s polish application does not come out flawless (ie; air bubble, uneven/patchy application etc) 2. Latin style application, my mani with REGULAR polish would last 7 days!! I was blown away! I just settle for the American style because that’s all that’s available. 🤷🏾‍♀️

This was really informative! With very pigmented polishes I notice that clean up brushes actually spread it around more than clean it up. So I might try the stick + cotton method!

Great video Larissa! So informative. It is great to see all the different ways different cultures approach things. We can all learn from each other. Loved your comment about the cotton wool. It looks so fluffy and innocent but if it gets on the wet nail!! Nightmare! 🤣

There is a difference. You can see from afar. I wouldn’t do the Latin method myself but I would love to get it done at a salon.

This was cool and very educational. I didn’t know there were different ways other countries do their nails.

You’re hysterical! New favorite channel.

Curiosity: In brasil we always used to do nails with regular polish nails... gel nails is kind of "new" I mean.. 8 years or less I believe that it is one of reasons why we always go so far on the edges and even skin.. as we know gel polish with led or uv can be on skin right ? Also we're very perfectionist ... we can stand see a very little piece of nails without coloring... But I have to agree with your "future advice" we apply and clean very quickly and we don't go so far on the skin... makes the process easier

Thank you for explaining this! I’ve been seeing insta videos of nail artists doing this Cuban method and me, an American, was like “what the heck is she doing?!” Makes sense now!

You referring to that cotton ball as an a**h*le just warned you a subscriber. I saw a shirt on Instagram on this video and came over. Awesome explanation!!

I grew up in Miami and have seen manicurist use the cotton around the orange stick to clean up but I don’t recall the polish all over my nail application. You know what, to each their own. I use an orange stick when I flood my cuticles (without the cotton because I would get lint everywhere!) It’s all about what works for you. Xoxo

What an interesting demonstration! How little we know how other cultures do things we never think of or seem so different to us. For one it seems like a waste of polish. (Not judging) Also I would have cotton fuzz all over. But as you said practice is what makes an expert. Also time consuming. In the States we can buy similar pointed Qtips at Amazon that maybe aren't available in other countries. But for me applying the polish remover around my nail area would be so drying. But what a great video to help us learn other techniques. Thanks so much for sharing! Have a blessed and Happy New Year! 🤗😇😊

This is fascinating, I had no idea that's how some people paint their nails. I'm Canadian, and as a teen I was never trying to get it on my skin but I always ending up with a bit and flooding my cuticle. Eventually that excess would come off, especially in a good hot shower the next day. This was well before I was exposed to the nail community. When I first started discovering a bit more and seeing tips for painting your nails about leaving that gap it felt like a large gap to me and that you couldn't get all of the nail. With years and practice I've gotten better at painting my nails without such a mess and gotten used to that little gap. I'm still not as good as a lot of people and end up either with a little on my skin somewhere or a slightly larger gap especially when painting on my dominant hand. But I am used to it now and would rather minimize cleanup, and I change my polish at least once a week so if it doesn't last quite as long that's fine. But I loved seeing how you use an orange wood stick and cotton to clean up cause sometimes especially with nail art I end up with more to clean up off my skin and that would be great for removing the bulk of the mess and then using a clean up brush to clean in the cuticle area. Thanks for sharing this!

I'm from Brazil and after finding the nails on RU-vid I started to try the "American" way, but I didn't mastered it yet, so I do something in between. I'm not a big fan of the little gap because I paint my nails for myself, I know no one is zooming on my nails, but I do look them up close, but as I started using gel polishes sometimes I started to get used to the idea even though I don't like the aesthetics.

Learned something new with the stick and cotton. Thanks

Hah, I guess I've been doing my nails the Cuban/Brazilian way my whole life even though I've only ever lived in the US! The gap just bothers me way too much so I have to put polish on my *entire* nail. I use a toothpick to swipe along the edges and wipe the toothpick on a napkin. Once I've gotten most of the extra off, I let a shower take care of the rest. Sometimes I'll use a clean-up brush with acetone but that's riskier (and I have eczema so it hurts, lol) so I only really do it if I'm going somewhere the same night I'm doing my nails for some reason. This was super interesting! :)

You are hilarious! And now I’m regretting not getting a manicure when I was in brazil. I really want to see this technique in person.

I paint it all over without cleaning it straight away, but once the hand is done, I use a knife (yes, a knife lol) to move the excess from the sides of the nail onto the skin and use my finger to pull the skin back around the cuticles; this breaks the nail polish between the nail and the cuticle, leaving no gap and good shape following the cuticle. I do this about an hour before going to bed and sleep with my hands out to keep it from messing up. The next day, after washing my hand a few times, I use a towel and cuticle trimmer to peel the polish off the skin. Whew! P.S.: Never got manicure at the salon, but I guess the American way would be more practical if you need it to be immediately neat.

😮😮😮WOW!! Thank you sooo much for the education. I am American, raised by a cosmetologist and as a child( lets just say in the 20th century) watching clients get their nails done and never saw nails being painted with a gap. Since I have been watching You Tube videos relating to nails, I always wondered why nails were being painted with one. This is truly new to me, because the women I use to see doing nails, came close to the edge and rarely had to clean it (no gaps). Even when I use to get my nails done, I never had a gap. Thank you for the eduction in cultural manicures. Happy Educated New Subscriber😎

I had seen Brazilian girls comment on nail design accounts (instagram) mocking or saying that the nail was not completely painted. On the other hand, let's say that I combine the 2 techniques, I do not like that the nail polish stays on the entire finger and less on the cuticle (American technique) but if I use the stick with the cotton to clean if I splash a little nail polish on the skin around my nail. Anyway, Brazilians, Cubans, Argentines 🙋🏻‍♀️, we are all from America I loved the video! Happy new year 😊 🎆

Great video! I personally like a tiny gap, but its definitely personal taste. My biggest issues: the time required (so much time) & the inflamed skin left by the clean up - the remover & the friction left the skin around your nails all red and slightly swollen. BTW - that color is absolutely gorgeous!

That's why I don't freak out if I have a tiny bit of flooding. Handwashing throughout the rest of the day corrects it.

This was really helpful. I had seen a collab post on Instagram with the American can vs. Brazilian but they didn't do the clean up part so I was confused it was just left like that. I hadn't heard of the difference in technique. I personally have high skin around the edges of the nail. So, I press it down n try to get as close as I can then clean up if need be. No gaps.

Fantastic video explaining cultural differences! Love it!!!!

Wow, you are such a pro’

I find I don't always have a steady enough hand not to get nail varnish on my skin but I have been trying not to have any gap. Now I have seen how little difference there is looking at nails with a tiny gap all round I will try to do that in future. Thanks for the demo!

That was very interesting and informative. Thank you! Britt

I laughed at the Sister story and your mind being blown. Super interesting video.

I can see how much faster and easier the technique is when you leave a tiny gap. I do like the filled in completely look better because it makes your nails look longer, but it's too much work, and honestly in a few days, you'll still have the same growth gap. You're right, you can't tell any difference from regular distance. My technique for years (before RU-vid and blogs) was paint it all, and then after it dried, the bits on the skin came off in the shower. It wasn't as finished and perfect a look as the little gap leaves, but it was what I knew and it worked.

This was super interesting!

That gap is annoying to me but not because of looks, but because of leaving the corner of the tip of the nail unprotected and ready for easy breakage. The nail polish extending all the way from corner to corner does not leave the nail expose, and it brings additional layer(s) of protection to the nail. So I don’t use any of these two ways, but a sort of combination of both. I go slightly off the sides into my skin, but I removed it immediately with the nail of my thumb on my other hand (no toothpick, just paper towel). I always do my thumbs at the very end after the rest of my nails are completely done. Not excessive clean up, no gap, and no time wasted 🤷🏻‍♀️

Wow I had no idea how different the technique is in different countries

Muy bien explicado. Yo prefiero el método de no tocar el borde de la cutícula y si cometo un error limpiarlo con la brocheta. Trate el método brasileño y se me hizo tedioso 😉👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾😂Aunque el acabado del brazilero es impecable!

Don't know why people paint all over there nail and skin it's on IG a few years ago I used to have the gap I painted right up to the proximal nail fold it looked so messy when I look back on old photos 😂 you paont your nail beautifully.

I love all styles, I like to clean my cuticle like the Russian manicures, swatch like Americans, and do longer lasting manis like the Brazilians. No judgement ❣

😂 I love your video! It’s so funny and true.

This was so great! Never even knew ppl paint their nails any other way than the "American" way. Im from Poland but been living in the states for over two decades and Poles paint their nails the same way as ppl in US do. Thank you for educating the uneducated lol

Thank you Larissa Great ,informative video 😍. In some comments , says that no gaps make varnish stay longer ?? My varnish tends to peel off ,nearly like a sticker , especially when OPI infinite shine ridge filler used as a primer??? Brazilian/Cuban method is very much against my greedy nature😂- too much waste of varnish & time🤣 But ,to be honest ,I'm using combination of both. Thanks to your influence, I've started practising with a brush. For years I was using a tip of metal nail file-but only THE ONE, so completely lost when gone missing for ages😂and pure joy after finding it in Dyson tube 😂😂😂and cotton buds- they ave less fluff. Thank you again xx

When I first saw this method of doing nails I laughed because it looked like that way I did my nails when I just starting to do my own and my right hand but after time and trial and error I started to get much better at doing my own nails. But this way is crazy and funny.

It looks beautiful, despite the time it takes😊

I do the “Cuban” method because I physically cannot do the American method. I don’t have the fine motor control to not get the polish on my skin. I wait till the polish is a bit tacky then go in carefully with a “cleanup brush” which is actually a cheap dollar store angled eyeliner brush. It does take a long time, but it’s what works for me.

As someone with severe short sightedness I can totally relate to the whole paint skin and nail thing, what I learned before finding cleanup brushes was to do my nails the day before then shower the next morning and use a nail brush, the polish on my skin would then get washed off and I had a neat manicure :)

This is so helpful!! Thank you! 😊 And I recognized you are Cuban, you've got a cute Gloria Estefan accent! 🇨🇺❤

Loved the video btw!

I saw Janixa's video on this topic too and you both did a great job discussing both methods. You got me cracking up calling out cotton and wooden stick! We learn a lot from watching YT and it's fun to see how other cultures perform the same tasks. I never heard of a cleanup brush until I started watching YT a couple years ago and prior to that I seldom used an orangewood stick (I bet my cuticles looked a hot mess, but thankfully I don't remember it, haha!). I like the cleanup br use ush method I guess bec that's what I've seen. Maybe I should use the other method to use up polishes faster...hmm... TFS!

thanks for your time!!! love your videos!

Thank you for sharing your tips

I loathe American style 'free edge' everywhere as it catches on everything, chips lifts all the way around, a mess to live with. Never mind I have incredible eyesight so it looks rough and uneven like child's work. Others probably just change colours every other day and don't care about these things? But myself, I need a thin application just to the edge, and immediate swoop the crease to catch any runoff or transfer with a cuticle pusher, swipe it clean with towel like you do... have never been able to use the stupid brush no matter how little acetone is on it, because the brush always floods and removes mani from nail too! Such fine slow delicate fussy work brush, dry napkin, brush, dry napkin, wreck the sides of my mani anyway... I HATE IT with the power of 1,000 suns. Tried your rolling cuban cleanup technique, 1 swoop all done easy peasey. Solved EVERYTHING. Amazingly practical and simple.

I use a liner brush to get to the sides

I am on team easy application. Thank you for your video. It was interesting to watch but I couldn’t do the Brazilian style even if I tried hard. Trying to roll that stick around my nail would be disastrous. 😩

I do it somewhere in between, I have deep side walls and don't like big gaps so I always have clean up before top coat.

So interesting, thank you so much for enlightening me on these different techniques. Happy New Year, 2022

Yay! Im cuban, too! I've never seen the very messy method other than in a recent video (and I was like WTF , oh...wow!) from another country, but then I was very little when I came to the US. The way i used to paint my nails was to aim the brush slightly downward and sneak it it against the edges. It was pretty neat, no gap, and required little cleanup, if any. I started using a brush last year and love it! No way im going back to the wooden stick (or a well sharpened pencil, when i had nothing else lol).

Im on a binge watching your videos. Ive always loved your videos. This one was interesting. I learned that i do my nails the cuban way, but done even clean it up. Wait for water to take care of it. Haha. I do try for the American (or Canadian as i am) way, but not always successful lol

Great video! ❤️❤️❤️

Thanks for doing this! I started getting into doing my own nails in 2020 but I'm so bad at it, LOL. I can't resist painting right up to the edge of the nail but then I can't manage to do good enough clean up with a brush (or stick or toothpick--ugh!). Maybe I'll get better at this in 2022.

I actually kind of like the look of the gap because it reminds me of gel manicures, which look really polished to me. The Brazilian method would work better if you put a thick, waxy cuticle butter on the skin around your nail. It works as a buffer to get the polish off faster.

I have been doing a Brazilian manicure since I was 5 years old but not intentional. Didn’t know it had a name. Lol

Great video Larissa! Also, you said my name right!!!!! 😂 I always get excited when that happens lol

You are very funny andnlear lot from your videosthaanks for all you tips I'm from Guatemala I only wash my sister do their nail 😍