A fresh manicure can make you feel pampered and revitalized, so there is nothing worse than chipping your polish as soon as it is applied. So why pay for a manicure that won’t last longer than a day? Thankfully, we have the solutions for you. Gone are the days where your nails smudge or chip immediately after your manicure. Whether you get your nails professionally done at a salon or take care of them at home, some hidden secrets can prolong the wear of your nail polish.
You don’t have to be a nail tech to see what methods can be implemented in your daily routine to make nails last. We’ve ensured these are surefire ways that will prevent premature chipping and smudging for your next manicure.
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Care For Your Cuticles
Cuticles are one of the most crucial parts of the nail that needs to be taken care of correctly. They protect your nails from infections, promote healthy nail growth, and can even prolong the lifespan of your next manicure.
Before applying nail products to the nails, treat overgrown and dry cuticles. Applying the polish over these grown-out and dry cuticles can lead to the polish chipping prematurely. Salons may trim your cuticles, and at home, you can push them back with an orangewood stick. You’ll first want to soften your cuticles by either soaking them in warm soapy water or use a cuticle remover.
To maintain your beautiful manicure, apply SNS SenShine Vitamin Oil every day to give your cuticles a daily dose of nutrients. This oil is formulated with skin-loving ingredients like Vitamins A, B5, D3, and E to moisturize your cuticles. Applying the SenShine Oil every day will promote healthy nails and cuticles so you can get the best from your manicure after every salon visit.
Prep The Nails
Nail prep is severely overlooked, especially if you do your nails at home. You may be missing a few fundamental techniques to prevent your nail products from chipping prematurely – which is vital if you’re getting them done for a special occasion or even your wedding. A beneficial nail prep routine includes buffing, filing, priming, and dehydrating the nails. This can vary from each nail service, whether that be dip, polish, or gel.
Before starting anything, the first step should be to cleanse the nails from dirt and excess oil, which can be done with an alcohol pad.
Next, you will want to buff the nail plate with a medium grit buffer. These buffers are gentle enough for the natural nail to eliminate imperfections on the nail plate. Buffing the nails will ensure ridges or cracks have disappeared and create a smooth base to apply your polish. Textured bumps, ridges, or cracks can be the culprit to your manicure chipping.
In addition, you will want to prime or dehydrate the nails. One of the most common reasons nail polish lifts is because of the excess moisture and oil on the nail plate. A primer or dehydrator can ensure you have a dry base that is ready to adhere to your nail polish color.
Apply Top and Base Coat
This tip may sound like a no-brainer, but many individuals underestimate the power of a top and base coat. A base coat is essential since it will latch onto your nail plate and provide a sticky layer for your nail polish to adhere to.
A topcoat is equally essential to provide a layer of shine and protection. If you want long-lasting results, finish your manicure with two layers of topcoat. In addition, you can add a thin layer of topcoat every day to prevent chipping until your next manicure.
Cap Your Free Edge
Capping the free edge of your nail means applying polish to the extended tip of your nail after you finish polishing your nail plate. Surpingsly enough, even most professional nail techs will forget this crucial step that will prolong the life of your manicure.
This is especially important for certain nail services like gel nails. Capping the free edge will prevent lifting and chipping around the tips/corners of your nails where you are most likely to chip first.
Wear Gloves
If you constantly wash dishes or have various hands-on tasks, wear gloves whenever possible. In addition, try to avoid getting your hands wet. Moisture can lead to premature lifting and chipping if you aren’t careful.
Wearing gloves can minimize your hands’ impact for various hands-on work like dishes, gardening, cleaning, etc. In addition, having an extra layer of protection can ensure your mani won’t chip.
The Takeaway
Overall, there are countless methods to prolong the lifespan of your manicure. However, adjusting your nail routine with these small differences can ensure your polish won’t be chipping any time soon.