Ensure that your hands are stable by placing them on a flat surface. Take the time to practice your hand movements using a dry brush. This will help you become more comfortable with the pressure and stability required.

Experiment with using a forgiving color, such as glitter dip, which requires less accuracy.

When picking up base liquid, make sure to only load it onto one side of the brush. This will help with applying thin layers.

Clean up any mistakes with a toothpick or cuticle pusher when the base is still wet. Run the toothpick around the cuticle for a clean look.

After activating, file away any mistakes. With enough smoothing, you can truly turn around even a lumpy application.