Tips on how to make your manicure last longer

The perfect way to spoil yourself and spend some quality time at your local salon is by having a great manicure, a beauty trend that never goes out style. Though for a manicure to last and not destroy your nails, you need the following hacks to give your manicure some longevity:

Always begin with a polish remover

It's important to prep your nails for polishing by removing residue on your nails that prevent polish from adhering. Make sure your nails are clean and completely dry by wiping them down with a lint-free cotton pad and an acetone-based cleanser.

Though you can also remove dirt and grime by brushing nails clean with an old dry toothbrush and a whitening toothpaste that whitens and brightens.

Buff your nails

Buffing your nails smooths out any bumps or dents, no matter how small or invisible they are which is another key to a long-lasting manicure. Little and prominent ridges on the surface of your nails can cause polish to crack. The trick to a longer-lasting application is buffing your nails until you have a smooth surface to work with.

For best results, always buff in one direction rather than all over. If you buff back and forth it causes tiny tears and splits in the nail that can turn into full-blown cracks and splits over time.

Take care of cuticles 

After buffing and cleaning your nails, don't forget to take care of your cuticles by removing them. Use a cuticle oil and an orange stick or a pusher tool to prevent paint from getting on them.

 Once you start applying your polish, keep your cuticles in check to avoid getting any polish on them, which lifts the paint from the nail and leads to chipping. This is an important step for ensuring your manicure lasts as long as possible.

Never, ever shake the polish bottle

As you prepare to start applying the polish, you'll likely be tempted to shake your bottle of color.  It is advised that you should never, ever shake a bottle of nail polish because it creates air bubbles which cause the polish to bubble on your nails and crack. Try instead to roll it between your palms to get the formula to mix instead.

Pay attention to your coats

The way you apply your base coat, polish and top coat can also play a big role in determining the lifespan of your manicure. A base coat helps the polish adhere better to the nail while a slow-setting top coat creates a hard, protective layer.

As for the color, the key to perfectly applying it like a professional  is to always apply your polish in three narrow, even strokes, one down the middle and one down each side, then wait two minutes before applying the second coat and don't make it sloppy because the thicker the layer of polish, the more it's likely to peel.

Carry your own polish to the salon

This might be a bit weird but the theory behind it is that some nail salons notoriously add thinners to extend the life of old enamel which changes the color and cause bubbling and peeling. Also to avoid more frequencies trips to the salon just bring your own bottle of polish to ensure you get the best quality result possible.

Add an extra dose of UV light

If you opt for a professional gel manicure, keeping your nails under the UV light for a few extra minutes. Although this trick doesn't guarantee a long lasting effect it is possible if you spend a little more time under the light, you will get more bang for your buck in terms of durability.

Say no to quick-dry products

The idea of a quick-dry polish may be easier and tempting but stay away from them for they to dry out nails. To acquire the healthiest nails, you should avoid any product with acetone in it besides nail-polish remover because it causes nails to chip, peel, flake, and break.

If you really want to speed things up too, use cuticle oil which acts as a barrier to any offending object that will slip off the nail instead of denting the polish. Once the cuticle oil sinks into your skin, you'll know your nails are dry.

Don't soak your hands in water

Once you have done your nails, make sure not to soak your hands in water for extended periods of time as your nails absorb the water and their natural shape expands. Once the water evaporates the nail contracts causing the polish to chip and crack.

Make glitter your best friend

If you notice your gel manicure is growing out or chipping on the base of your nails, use glitter as a quick refresher. It is the best way to distract a chipped or overgrown manicure and also pretty.  Glitter polish tends to last longer than regular polish because it has a better grip on your nails.