How to make your nail polish last?
Have you also spent an incredible amount of time applying your nail polish, only for it to start chipping after just a few days? Annoying, isn't it? If that's the case for you, here are some tips to finally learn how to make your nail polish last!
Choose your nail polish carefully
To know how to make your nail polish last longer, it's first necessary to look at the polish itself.
First, avoid quick-drying polishes. Although they are convenient, they are much less durable. In fact, this type of drying does not allow the different components to organize optimally. We can only encourage you to opt for natural polishes which, due to their composition, are largely much more beneficial for your nails. And healthy nails mean nails that hold color better!
Also remember to properly store your nail polishes away from light and heat, among other recommendations. This way, you extend their lifespan and their hold will remain stable for much longer. It's also a very good way to prevent the polish from chipping. Because polishes also expire and have an expiry date. When they are too old or subjected to poor storage conditions, their consistency becomes much too thick and dense, and the polishes become too difficult to apply.
Clean your nails thoroughly
It may seem obvious, but we prefer to remind you: to prolong the life of your nail polish, you need clean hands beforehand.
This step is even more important if you have taken care of your nails just before applying polish. Indeed, they retain traces of the various activities you may have had with your hands, and apart from more liquid substances that might be present (butter, cream or nourishing oil, etc.), the slightest dust can also compromise the good hold of a polish.
So, wash your hands thoroughly and degrease the nail surface with a remover wipe and a little remover, or even white vinegar or apple cider vinegar (don't worry about the smell, it will dissipate quickly). This way, without greasy residue, the polish will adhere better to the nail.
You can also lightly file (but very lightly) the surface of your nails with a nail file so that the polish adheres better. Prefer a stone or glass file rather than a metal one, which tends to split nails. A movement always in the same direction is ample.
Apply a base coat
The base coat is an essential step to extend the life of your nail polish. It is applied before the polish, and you should apply a thin layer. For the nail, it helps it better grip the color and protects it from pigments (to prevent yellowing). As for the polish, it allows for a more uniform application and improves its longevity.
Moreover, Clever Beauty's #12 Green 2-in-1 base coat strengthens nails because it is enriched with green tea and avocado extract, protecting them and preventing color from staining them when removed.
Apply the polish
Now, it's time for the polish. At this stage, you'll need to take your time. Patience is a virtue! Allow about a good twelve minutes.
Before any application, be sure to shake your bottle. This way, you make the liquid more homogeneous. If it has thickened, absolutely do not add remover! The components will dilute, and the nail polish will chip. To find a solution, refer to the article on how to store your polishes properly.
Although it may seem quite tedious, it is important to apply several coats of polish. However, be careful, you must apply it in thin layers at the risk of forming unsightly layers.
Apply the first coat of polish, then let it dry for about fifteen minutes. Don't worry if it's uneven, that's completely normal, as it serves as an undercoat. The most important thing is that it is thin. Then, repeat the operation, making sure to respect the drying time between the two coats. Depending on the opacity of your polish, especially for very light ones, you may need to apply a third coat.
Pay particular attention - while having a light hand - to the tips of your nails, but also to the edge, as these are the areas where the polish starts to disappear.
Reinforce the hold
Final step: use a top coat, the finishing touch. This is a clear layer of polish that varnishes the nail and makes it more resistant to impact. And that's good news, because the base coat we presented earlier can also be used as a top coat.
Some nail technicians advise applying a new coat of top coat the very next day to make the color shine even more and strengthen its hold. Moreover, it is also recommended to add a new coat every two or three days to camouflage small imperfections and prolong the polish.
After applying your top coat, wait about fifteen minutes before you can resume using your ten fingers. It would be a shame to ruin your manicure right after finishing it!
Avoid hot water
For nail polish to last longer, avoid washing your hands with hot water during the 12 hours following application. This will allow it to fully harden.
And avoiding hot water means preferring cold water. Also, immediately after application, run your hands under cold water to shorten the drying time.
Protect your hands with gloves
Finally, for polish that really lasts, you need to protect your hands! They are, after all, the parts of the body that are most in contact with different materials and textures. Your nails are therefore much more likely to be damaged.
So, put on your gloves! Especially if you're doing dishes and cleaning to protect your hands from household products that can be very aggressive, as well as chlorine.
Camouflage small imperfections
And if, by chance, the polish starts to chip, don't reach for your remover right away! If it suits your taste, you can draw or add glitter to hide the imperfections.
This can be an opportunity to try out some nail art!
Let your nails rest
Finally, one last tip: let your nails rest. It is important that they are natural for a few days between two polish applications. Why? Because exposed to the air, they become more porous and therefore adhere better to nail polish.
With these few tips to extend the wear of your polish, you are now well-versed in successfully doing your at-home manicure. It will last as long as in a beauty salon, at least, we hope so!
Do you have any other tips to strengthen the hold of your nail polish?
