Expert tips for long-lasting nail polish
The key to getting nail polish to last: preparation
"The best way to make your nail polish last is to ensure that all product such as existing nail polish, lotion, creams and natural oils have been removed from the surface of the nail," says Cathy Crispo, president and CEO of Toronto’s LUX SPA. Wipe your nail bed down with pure acetone - nail polish remover often contains oils that leave a residue on the nail and can cause premature chipping, she explains.
Another way to ensure long lasting polish application is to very lightly buff your nails, just enough to take off the shine.
Nail polish don'ts
If you're continually washing and sanitizing your hands or doing household chores, your polish won't hold up well to all the water and chemicals , says Crispo. The solution? When you're doing your cleaning and dishwashing slip on a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Don't skip the base coat
Do you really need a base coat and top coat? "Absolutely," says Crispo. "If you think of polishing your nails as you would paint a wall, a base coat is your primer and your top coat is your finishing coat."
Without a base coat, the polish can stain your nail and can only be removed with extensive buffing. Over-buffing weakens the nail and can cause it to split and peel - thus ruining your manicure. Add on a top coat to give your colour some extra luster and an extra layer of protection.
It doesn't take forever between coats
How long should you wait in-between applying coats? By the time you get from the first finger on one hand to the last finger on the other hand, enough time has elapsed for you to go back to the original fingernail and apply another coat, says Crispo.
Next page: And just how many coats do you really need anyway?
