tips for making your manicure last longer

Ever spend an hour doing your nails only to smudge a nail within minutes of finishing up the last coat? Here's six tips to avoid those smudges on your next manicure...


 Tip #1: Make sure nails are super clean Natural oils on your nails aid in chipping. Even if your nails are polish-free, apply polish remover to get rid of oils on the surface of nails.

Tip #2: Prep nails with a base coat Polish will adhere best to nails prepped with a base coat like Opi Nail Treatment Start to Finish. Here's a list of great base polishes at every price:

Tip #3: Don't lay on the polish too thick Three to four thin coats of polish rather than 2 thick coats will last longer, cut down on drying time and cause fewer changes of bubbles brewing on your nails.

Tip #4: Don't forget the tip When polishing, polish the tip of the nail as well. This helps cut down on nail polish chipping.

Tip #5: Consider a shimmery color. The little particles of sparkle will help polish cling to your nails.

Tip #6: Apply a clear topcoat Topcoat helps extend the life of your manicure. You can use the base coat as a topcoat. Do brush topcoat on and around the edges of nails as well, it's an extra seal against chipping.

Tip #7: Allow proper drying time Make sure you give your nails a good 45 minutes drying time before handling objects. Once dry time is over, submerge nails in cold water then apply lotion. This allows for a slippery surface until nails are completely dry. For pedicures, wrap toes in plastic wrap if you're wearing shoes other than flip-flops or sandals.

Tip #8: Keep topcoat handy To prolong the life of your manicure, apply a topcoat every other day.



Try these 10 tricks to keep your manicure looking great longer.

1. Keep nails short. Long nails are more prone to chipping and breaking than short, professional-length ones. Aim for nails no more than a quarter inch past your fingertips.
   
2. Groom cuticles. When polish is applied to overgrown cuticles, it peels off easily. Keep cuticles in check by applying a drop of oil to them and gently pushing them back with a wooden tool. (Don't cut cuticles, which can cause them to grow back even thicker.)
   
3. Clean nails. Apply polish to nails that have been cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in nail-polish remover. Any oil or lotion left on the nail bed will prevent polish from bonding to the nail -- and cause peeling in a day or two.
   
4. Apply a base coat. Even if you're in a rush! A specially-formulated base coat gives colored polish something to stick to so it lasts longer.
   
5. Apply polish in thin coats. Wipe one side of the nailbrush against the neck of the bottle to ensure excess polish is removed. Then sweep the brush up the length of the nail in thin coats. Thick coats of polish bubble and peel.
   
6. Allow polish to dry between coats. Manicure experts say that giving polish some time to dry before applying a second coat allows the first coat to form a better bond to the nail. The second coat will then bond to the first.
   
7. Wrap polish onto nails. When applying polish, sweep a bit across the edge and under the nail tip. This "wraps" the end, minimizing chipping.
   
8. Toss old polish. Old nail polish changes consistency and becomes thick and gloppy. That means it wo not have the staying power of newer polish. If you can not bear to toss your favorite old bottle, add a bit of polish thinner (not remover) to make it smoother.
   
9. Protect hands from water. Immersing your hands in water for too long can cause polish to lift off the nail, shortening the life of your manicure. Use rubber gloves when you're washing dishes, and keep showers to a quick 10-15 minutes.
   
10. Apply topcoat daily. It is the number-one way to ensure your manicure lasts. Sweep on a protective topcoat daily to increase your nail polish's staying power.

ok, there you go! now, give it a try on your next manicure :)

hope this helps! -- Ashli