The only problem with a French manicure like this pale beige and navy one (my new favorite combo): it’s labor-intensive enough that I’d really like it to stay put in perfect(ish) condition for at least a few days without even a hint of chipping.
But making your manicure last is possible, so long as you avoid the major offenders (like washing dirty dishes without wearing gloves) and follow a few simple guidelines during the application process.
– Skip the pre-polish soak, which can dry out nails and nailbeds and make polish more prone to chipping.
– Make sure to remove all residue from your nails prior to applying polish by running a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover over them.
– Use a base coat and a top coat – the base coat helps the polish to adhere, and the top coat prevents it from chipping.
– When you apply your color, make sure to run the brush over the top edge of the nail, angling it slightly under. This prevents water from making its way into the space between the polish and the nail and creating chips. (If you get a little polish on your fingertip, just use a Q-tip soaked in remover to get it off.)
– If you mess up your polish before it dries, use a little cuticle oil to smooth it out without removing too much color. On a related note: don’t do your nails just before bed: it can take up to 12 hours for polish to dry fully, so even if your polish feels dry before you get under the covers, you’re likely to wake up to find sheet marks on them in the morning.
– Apply a thin topcoat every other day to keep your manicure looking fresh.
– Moisturized hands are happy hands, but try slathering on moisturizer after your polish dries, so that you don’t add any residue to nails that could prevent the polish from adhering. Look for a moisturizer with SPF, like Simple Skincare Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15 – hands absolutely need sun protection all year round, because they’re extremely prone to showing signs of aging (not to mention being constantly exposed to drying elements).
– Remember to moisturize your hands frequently (I shoot for at least three times a day) to keep your cuticle beds looking lovely and to keep your hands feeling soft.
What not to do: this. (A few drops of canola oil and a washcloth soaked in warm water should get off most sticky labels without destroying your gorgeous handiwork.)
