Shhh: 7 Trade Secrets to Extend the Life of Your Manicure
A manicure that doesn't make it past a day or two can be so frustrating. You know, when you've done an at-home manicure and painstakingly tried to re-create what the pros do in the salons. You spent so much time being extra careful not to smudge or get the polish on your skin. You had endless amounts of patience when you were waiting for your nails to dry. Then, a day or so later, you've got the dreaded chipping. What was the point of all that time spent?! And yes, this hurts when you've paid for a manicure, too. Goodbye, money!
I may sound slightly dramatic here, but I think you get the idea. Like a lot of things in life, why waste your time and money on something that's not going to last long?
Whether you're DIY'ing it or going to a salon, there are a few tricks to ensuring your manicure lasts a long time (or, at least, longer than a few days). I turned to nail experts to get the tricks of the trade—here's what they said.
How to Make Your Manicure Last Longer
1. Buff Your Nails
Before you start painting your nails, you'll want to do some prepping first. "Gently buff them to create a nice, gritty nail bed for the polish to stick," suggests nail artist Hang Nguyen.
2. Clean Your Nails
This is another part of the prep process. "With so much moisturizing we do lately post-hand sanitization, it is extremely important to clean the nail surface thoroughly to remove any oil or lotion residue off of the nail surface pre-polish application in order to ensure that the polish sticks on," explains editorial nail artist Queenie Nguyen. Alcohol can be used to clean the surface.
3. Follow These Layering Steps
"When you're doing your manicure, always use a base coat, apply your polish in thin layers, and use a topcoat. Thin layers allow the polish to dry more evenly," says Brittney Boyce, a consulting nail artist for Orly.
Hang Nguyen recommends capping the tip (or painting the end/edge of the nail) after every layer to ensure there's no lifting or chipping of the polish.
4. Wait for Nails to Dry
This seems like a no-brainer, but I would guess that a lot of us don't have much patience in this department. But seriously, wait for your nails to completely dry before doing anything. Queenie Nguyen recommends waiting a bit before doing any heavy physical work, too.
5. Reapply Topcoat
"Reapply the shiny topcoat in between manicure appointments to extend the wear of the manicure," says Queenie Nguyen. "Or if you do your own nails at home, reapply the topcoat every three to four days to seal everything in."
6. Apply Cuticle Oil Daily
You've got to keep those nails moisturized! "Apply cuticle oil daily to keep your nails hydrated," adds Boyce. "I've noticed that when cuticles are well hydrated and healthier, manicures tend to last longer."
7. Take Breaks
Boyce also recommends her clients take breaks in between manicures to let their nails rest so they're in the best shape.
Long-Lasting Nail Polishes to Try
With all of those tips in mind, it also helps to have a nail polish you know is going to last a long time. You could do all of the above and still notice some chipping because your nail polish isn't up to snuff. Take a look at some long-lasting options below.
Nails Inc.
Orly
"For people who wash their hands a lot, which should be all of us, the Orly Breathable range is also a great long-lasting option," says Boyce. "It's water permeable, which means it's not likely to crack, which sometimes happens with regular polish."
Smith Cult
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel line is exactly like getting a gel manicure but without the UV light. It has a lot of staying power because it's specially formulated to be chip resistant. Add the Miracle Gel topcoat and you're all set.
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro
I'm a big fan of Deborah Lippmann's polishes because they're high quality, and I don't have to worry about messing up my manicure for at least a week. The Gel Lab Pro line also keeps your nails healthy thanks to nourishing ingredients like evening primrose, biotin, keratin, and green tea extract.
Essie Gel Couture
Queenie Nguyen lists Essie's Gel Couture polish line as one of her go-tos. She says its application brushes spread out nicely and cover every inch of the nail surface. The polishes give you a gel-like finish and protection. Just add the Gel Couture topcoat to lock the color in.
CND
OPI
Dior
Morgan Taylor
Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.
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