Hello everyone!
We've all had it happen: after perfecting our manicure, we look down and realize our nail polish has chipped. It's frustrating and annoying to see all that hard work go to waste.
While many of us may blame nail polish formulas, the problem could actually be the application technique. With these simple tricks, you can extend the life of your manicure and prevent chips.
- Always wipe each nail with remover before applying polish. Then wash your hands with soap and water to get rid of any remaining oil.
- Do not file your nails in different directions. If you're treating your nail file like a saw, you're making your nails more prone to peeling and breakage.
- Buff your nails. This will remove any residue and get rid of ridges.
- Apply a base coat. Polish will adhere best to nails prepped with a base coat. Not only does a basecoat protect your nails from stains, but it also fills ridges and strengthens nails.
- Do not shake the bottle. Simply roll your nail polish bottle between the palms of your hands. If you shake the bottle, you’re more likely to get air bubbles on application.
- Apply your nail polish in thin layers. Thinner coats have a lower risk of smudging than thick coats. If the first layer is streaky, do not worry, this can be covered up with your second layer.
- Seal the tip of your nail. Once you’ve painted your nailbed, drag some polish horizontally across the top edge of your nail. This will seal the polish, making it less likely to chip.
- Ensure that you let each layer dry before you apply the next. If you're not waiting at least a couple of minutes before applying another coat, you're not giving the solvents in the polish enough time to evaporate.
- Apply a topcoat. Topcoats extend the life of your manicure. Brush the topcoat on and around the edges of nails as well.
- Allow proper drying time. After about 45 minutes of drying time, submerge your nails in cold water, then apply lotion. This allows for a slippery surface until nails are completely dry.
- Keep a topcoat handy. Reapplying a topcoat every two to three days will help your manicure last longer.
I hope you find these tips helpful!
