How to make your manicure last longer

There’s no denying that getting your nails done can be a relaxing, spa-like experience that makes you feel perfectly pampered. But when you find that your polish has already started chipping within days or even hours of giving yourself a manicure or leaving the nail salon, it’s frustrating, to say the least. If you’ve ever had this experience (and, honestly, who hasn’t?), you’re probably wondering how to make your nail polish last longer. We’ve got some good news: there are some steps you can take to get the long-lasting nails of your dreams!

We’re not guessing here, either. We asked nail experts for their tried-and-true secrets so your nails will look like you just stepped out of a salon for weeks after your appointment. While some of it definitely has to do with the products you’re using – or not using, like cuticle oils, which can strengthen nails, making them less brittle and prone to chipping – there’s more to it than that. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your manicure stays in tip-top shape for as long as possible.

It’s hard to know how to make your nail polish last longer when you don’t know what’s causing it to chip or flake. Our experts say there are several reasons, depending on the type of polish you’re using – for instance, whether it’s regular lacquer or gel polish. “With regular lacquer, a polish may chip because it was placed on too thick, maybe causing it to chip as soon as it completely dried,” explains manicurist, Syreeta Aaron. “[Or there could be] constant rubbing on the polish, which causes it to wear thin, and then you begin to see through the polish.” A gel manicure, on the other hand, might chip if a person’s nail bumps against something, she notes, but other than that, it will stay put – unless the application wasn’t done properly.

What many people may not realise is that prepping your nails is essential if you want your nail polish to last. If your nail isn’t properly cleansed prior to applying polish, says manicurist, Brittany Boyce, there might still be an oil residue on the nail that prevents the polish from adhering correctly. And if you’re doing your nails at home, you should never skip the pre- and post-steps, which include applying a base and top coat. “Aside from one-step nail polishes that specifically say no base coats or top coats are needed, you need to use a base coat to help the nail polish adhere to your nail better,” Boyce explains. “Then you need a top coat to seal it in.” And that’s just the beginning. Follow these expert-approved tips and you’ll end up with an amazing manicure that lasts. You’re welcome!

It’s important to cut and file your nails to make sure that the edges aren’t jagged or uneven. Keeping them short can also be effective in helping your nail polish last longer, notes celebrity manicurist, Jessica Tong. The longer your nails, the more susceptible they are to breakage during your day-to-day activities, especially if you’re someone who does a lot of work around your home, like doing laundry or washing dishes.

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In addition to buffing and filing your nails, it’s important to clean up your cuticles and cleanse your nail bed thoroughly. This helps to ensure that there is no oil residue on your nails. “If there are oils or cuticle growth on the nail plate, it will interfere with the adhesion, and your polish won’t stick on the nail as well,” says Darlene Sritapan, OPI nail polish’s Education & Capability Manager. “The best way to prep is to push back your cuticles gently and then cleanse your nails with a high-grade isopropyl alcohol.”

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After all of the prep work, wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly before you start painting on the polish. “Our nails shrink and expand in water,” explains Boyce. “Nail polish doesn’t stretch with your nails, so when your nails contract after they’ve dried with nail polish already on top, you may see that crackle, which leads to chipping.”

Orange sticks are great for pushing down your cuticles, but if you’re prone to a messy paint job, this $5 product will save your manicure. Painting a thin layer of liquid latex for nails around your nail beds makes it easy to get a clean, salon-fresh line. Simply paint over it as much as you need, and peel off when you’re done for a perfect manicure!

Many nail polishes come in a set of three products – the base, polish, and top coat. If so, it’s important to use the full system to achieve the desired results, notes Sritapan. “For example, the primer helps to prevent yellowing and promotes adhesion, and the gloss helps seal and protect your colour,” she says. “When you combine all of these steps, it’s a recipe for success and a truly long-lasting manicure.” Skipping steps may shorten the life of your manicure.

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To prevent polish from wearing through, Aaron recommends applying several coats of polish – ideally, three – making sure they aren’t too thick. Make sure you’ve chosen a good-quality nail polish (preferably non-toxic). Aaron has a tip for gel polish lovers, too (apart from using a good quality gel nail polish): “If you’re using gel polish, make sure to apply each coat very thinly and that the nails are properly cured in the light,” she adds.

No one wants to spend ten minutes without the use of their hands waiting for their nail polish to dry. Enter miracle dry drops. Apply a drop or two on top of your manicure to set your nail polish in as little as 60 seconds. An added bonus is that it treats your cuticles at the same time.

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To make your nail polish last longer, Sritapan advises taking extra care to apply cuticle oil and hand cream. “When skin and nails are dry, it makes chipping very easy,” she says.

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