For anyone who knows me well, in real life, they know that I always have my nails painted. I cant think of a time that I didn’t like to have my nails painted. I think I may have started this “personal trait” around middle school….but I would have to ask my parents….they usually know things like that.
So, in the 16 (or so) years since then, I have tried nearly every painting method and product. And I have settled on ones I love. I can even get my at home manicure to last 10-12 days with no chipping and still shiny. Now, it may go longer than that, but I typically change my polish after a week or so.
Spending a lot of time in the kitchen and doing dishes, can be hard on a manicure, but I am happy to share my secrets with you. You can have a lovely manicure that will last for a week or more.
I use an OPI color….sometimes another brand like Esse works well too. But quality polish makes all the difference in getting it to last.
I start by cleaning my nails with a 100% acetone remover. Nothing expensive needed here. A large bottle of this costs me only about $2. This helps dry the nail and makes the polish really adhere to the nail.
I then file my nails and push back my cuticles.
I start by adding a thin layer of Orly Primetime: Chip preventing primer.
I order it on amazon usually. I don’t get many chances to get to the beauty supply store where most of these products are sold. So, online ordering is best for me.
Then, two coats of color. I do a coat on one hand, then the next, then I go back. This gives the polish a little time to set while you paint your other hand.
I then use my INM Out-the-door super fast drying top coat immediately.
You don’t need to wait for the polish to dry. This stuff is amazing. Salons use this to dry your nail quickly. I tell people that this is really my secret to a great manicure. And let me tell you….I have tested about 50 different top coats….and this is always the winner.
When you do the top coat, make sure you get it on the tip of your nail to. This will wrap the color so there is no raw edge for chipping.
Now, let it dry for about 2 minutes, and you are good to go
Thanks for the info!!! Great tips!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I love my nails painted too but I can never get it to last! I will have to try these tips :)
ReplyDeleteI genuinely have no idea how I stumbled across this post, but I have recently started painting my nails (probably went 5 years without polish on them) and I cannot get them to stop chipping! I work in a professional environment, so chipped nail polish is a no-no. I went directly to Amazon and ordered both the top coat and the base coat!! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteoooo thank you for this post! I'm excited to try it on my nails! I love painting them, but can't keep them from chipping. And, yes, I have noticed that you're nails are always painted and I love it! http://www.tanastable.com/
ReplyDeleteI just ordered the top and base coat. I sure hope it works well for me too!!
ReplyDeleteI have used this method twice now and you're right, it really works! I'm amazed because my polish usually starts chipping off the same day I paint my nails. I went a whole week with only a few tiny chips. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome tips!
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