11 Ways to Make Your Manicure Last Longer
How to make your manicure last longer: prep, thin coats, capping the edge, top coat, cuticle oil, gloves and the habits that stop chips, for polish and gel.
The palette
Nothing ruins a nice manicure like a chip on day two. The good news is that most chips come down to a few small habits, before and after the polish goes on.
Here are eleven that make the biggest difference, whether you wear regular polish or gel.
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1. Prep Is Everything
Push back cuticles, buff away the shine and wipe each nail with alcohol or remover. Polish grips a clean, dry nail far better.
- Shape
- Oval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Bare
- Shade
- Bare prepped nails
- Salon level
- Easy
-
2. Always Use a Base Coat
A base coat helps polish stick and stops dark colours staining your nails.
- Shape
- Oval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Sheer gloss
- Shade
- Sheer base
- Salon level
- Easy
-
3. Thin Coats Win
Two or three thin coats dry harder and chip less than one or two thick ones.
- Shape
- Squoval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- High gloss
- Shade
- Cherry red
- Salon level
- Easy
Would you wear this?
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Read nextGel vs Dip vs Acrylic: 10 Things to Know Before You Book
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4. Cap the Free Edge
Run the brush along the very tip of each nail. It seals the edge, which is where most chips start.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- High gloss
- Shade
- Espresso
- Salon level
- Easy
-
5. Top Coat Every Few Days
A fresh layer of top coat every three days brings back shine and adds protection.
- Shape
- Oval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- High gloss
- Shade
- Sheer nude
- Salon level
- Easy
-
6. Cuticle Oil Daily
Oil keeps nails flexible so they bend instead of snapping, and it keeps gel looking fresh.
- Shape
- Oval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Sheer gloss
- Shade
- Milky white
- Salon level
- Easy
-
7. Wear Gloves for Chores
Hot water and cleaning products are the enemy of polish. Gloves for dishes make a huge difference.
- Shape
- Squoval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- High gloss
- Shade
- Burgundy
- Salon level
- Easy
-
8. Don't Use Nails as Tools
Opening cans and scraping labels is how tips chip. Use the pad of your finger instead.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- High gloss
- Shade
- Warm nude
- Salon level
- Easy
-
9. Choose Shorter Shapes
Short nails take fewer knocks. Short squoval and oval are the most chip-resistant shapes.
- Shape
- Squoval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- High gloss
- Shade
- Milky pink
- Salon level
- Easy
-
10. Go Sheer for Longer Wear
Sheer and milky shades hide small chips and regrowth far better than bold colours.
- Shape
- Oval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Sheer gloss
- Shade
- Sheer pink
- Salon level
- Easy
-
11. Remove Gel Properly
Soak it off or have it removed at the salon. Peeling gel takes layers of nail with it and makes the next set chip sooner.
- Shape
- Oval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Bare
- Shade
- Healthy bare nails
- Salon level
- Easy
Pick two or three of these and make them habits. Prep and capping the edge alone will add days to every manicure.
For long-lasting looks, try milky white nails or read gel vs dip vs acrylic.
Your questions, answered
How long should a manicure last?
Regular polish usually lasts five to seven days with good care. Gel lasts two to three weeks.
Why does my nail polish chip so fast?
Usually oily nail plates, thick coats, skipping base or top coat, or hot water soon after painting.
Does cuticle oil ruin nail polish?
No. Apply it once polish is fully dry. It keeps nails flexible, which actually helps polish last.
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