The Everlasting Manicure

The key to a great manicure is all about the prep work. Take the time to properly prep your nails for polish. To start, a lot of people like to soak their nails. While a nice soak can soften up your cuticles, your nails will retain that moisture. So if you don’t want to skip that step, wait at least an hour to paint your nails. During this time, finish prepping your nails. When filing your nails, do so in one direction only. This is because filing back and forth can weaken the nail and cause breakage or peeling. Ultimately, the length of your nails is up to you. But keep in mind, the longer your nails are, the more exposed they are to getting chipped. Shorter nails will have longer lasting manicures. The last step before polish is wiping your nails with white vinegar, which removes natural oils.

First of all, you need to apply a base coat to properly prepped nails. Go the extra mile by painting a second coat to the tips of your nails. Since your nails tips are the area most likely to chip, this will help prevent that. In addition, choose a sticky base coat for increased longevity. When applying nail polish, remember that thinner strokes are always better. Applying nail polish too thick will lead to peeling. In addition, all coats should be applied to the edge of nails to seal your manicure in. One of the most important factors in making a manicure last is using a good topcoat. Invest in a good topcoat and you’ll be happy you did. Lastly, when drying your nails use cool air. An easy trick is to use your hairdryer on the cool setting or put your fingertips in cold water.

Now that you have the perfect manicure, you need to prevent any damage. Generally, hot water will dry out nails and lead to chipping. To remedy this, wash dishes with utility gloves. Also, stay away from hand sanitizer which can ruin your top coat and dry out nails. Instead, wash your hands with a mild soap in lukewarm water. For continued shine over time, reapply top coat every 2-3 days. A lot of people use nail oil to keep nails from drying out, so they don’t break or tear.

When the inevitable chipping happens, here are a few tips to get a few more miles out of that manicure. For example, try filing down nail tips and applying another layer of topcoat. Voila! Or, apply a thin french tip for an updated look that hides the chips. If your manicure is overgrown, add glitter to nail beds and it will look good as new.