You shouldn't put your active life on hold just to maintain a perfect manicure. Here are some tips to make your nail polish last longer so you can get on with it.
Whether you're flaunting your favourite nail colour of all time or the season's latest shade, there's nothing more annoying than chipped polish. You shouldn't put your active life on hold just to maintain a perfect manicure. Here are some tips to make your nail polish last longer so you can get on with it.
File and Buff Your Nails to Perfection
Take a leaf out of your nail salon's book. Nail polish chips often begin at the tips. Certain nail shapes make your enamel more prone to chipping. Uneven nail cuts create small spaces that hinder the nail polish from completely adhering.
To eliminate hard edges, make sure your nail clippers or scissors are sharp. Take time to gently file and buff your nails until they become perfectly smooth and even. Try the Tweezerman File Mate Nail File to keep your nails in their best shape.
Remove Excess Oil From Your Nails
One misconception about nail polish application is that you have to apply hand cream or lotion first to condition your nails. False! Although moisture is healthy for your hands and nails, the oily film that it leaves on the nail beds just makes your fresh nail polish slide.
To degrease nails and help your nail polish fully adhere, quickly wipe down your nail beds with nail polish remover. Try gentle nail polish removers like Deborah Lippmann The Stripper Lavender Lacquer Remover or Kester Black Nail Care – Nail Polish Remover.
Take Your Holy Grail Base Coat
The best way to give your nail polish a boost is by investing in the best base coat. Products like OPI Infinite Nail Polish Base Coat are formulated to provide the ideal surface for your nail polish. You can also try CND Sticky Base Coat to help your nails get a grip.
Push Your Cuticles Back
Pushing back cuticles makes a world of difference for nail polish wear but is so easy to overlook. Don't allow your polish to get on your cuticles! Soak your fingernails before you get started, and very gently push those cuticles back so you can get a smooth finish.
Once nail polish dries on your cuticles, it will lift and drag the rest of your nail polish along with it. Nail polish isn't designed to stick to your skin, so by putting it on the skin, you're creating a little flap that allows the whole coat to lift up.
Apply Thin Coats
One coat of nail polish is rarely enough for the full-impact look, but how do you build it up safely? Resist the urge to apply thick layers.
Thick coats of nail polish don't completely dry on the bottom, so your nails become magnets for smudges, bubbles, and creases.The trick here is to apply a thin coat, let it dry, and then apply another coat.
Only Settle for the Best Top Coat
Choosing the best formula for your top coat makes a huge difference in how your nail polish wears. Your top coat is what seals the deal! Be sure to invest in a great, quick-drying top coat that gives you the gloss you want for your nails. Try CND VINYLUX Nail Polish Top Coat or cult classic OPI RapiDry Top Coat.
Seal the Edges of Your Nails
As we've explained, nail chipping often starts at the tips of the nails. Sealing your nail tips with a great top coat protects the colour from lifting and chipping. Brush your clear final coat over bare edges and under the nail tips as well.
Avoid Soaking Your Nails
Soaking your nails in hot water softens your nail polish. This causes the nail polish to bloat with water and encourages chipping. Wear gloves when you do the washing up, or ask your significant other to pitch in!
