11 Ways To Make Your Nail Paint Last Longer Than Usual

Written by Niharika Nayak, BA (Media & Communication)  • 

Don’t ever back down if someone calls you dramatic for freaking out over smudged nail paint, since a fortune goes into getting a snatched manicure. The second struggle is to watch it wear away faster than you expected. Unfortunately, it is challenging to save and maintain the numbers in your account when you have to do chores and go about your day-to-day life. If you’re tired of seeking constant professional treatment for your nails every other week, then there are plenty of fun hacks that you can adopt to keep your nails in their best shape whether you are rocking glitter nails or a minimal matte. Not only will these do-it-yourself treatments save you a fortune, but you will also learn what works for you through trial and error. So if you’re looking for ways to make your nail polish last longer than usual, here are eleven ways you can make it happen:

1. Keep Your Nails Short

Keep Your Nails Short
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While everyone wants to have long nails that look symmetric and healthy, the truth is that they do not hold up well compared to shorter nails. It’s very easy to clip nails that are long. They are much more likely to break and peel unless you are very delicate with it. You can easily pull a Kardashian or Rihanna with super long nails, exuding boss girl, but only if you don’t have household responsibilities to take care of. Trim your nails from time to time, so that any coat you apply will stand strong and not chip away from the sides.

2. Choose The Top Coat Wisely

Make A Wise Decision While Choosing The Top Coat
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Whether you choose to go high shine or matte, you need to ask yourself many questions when you decide to select a topcoat. You should opt for a formula that has chip resistance and strengthens your nail rather than breaking it. It might be more expensive, but it will be a lot cheaper than constantly refreshing your nail paints at the salon.

3. Use A Good Quality Base Coat

Use A Good Quality Base Coat
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When it comes to applying a smooth coat of nail paint, the base is always top priority. It has to stand strong and steady to carry the weight of the following coats. While many folks out there are quick to blame the topcoat for all of their manicure issues, it’s essential to understand that the base coat is as important, if not more, than the topcoat. If you use a strong and grippy basecoat, you will extend its life span.

4. Make Sure That You Re-Apply The Top Coat Every Two Days

Make Sure That You Re-Apply The Top Coat Every Two Days
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Something that may be contrary to popular belief is that the topcoat isn’t exactly set-it-and-go. Like your makeup and hairstyles, the topcoat also requires maintenance, and for the best results, you should re-apply your top coat every two or three days.

5. Trim Chipped Nails Immediately

Trim Chipped Nails Immediately
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We all know that even the sight of chipped nails can cause discomfort and be the cause of minor accidents sometimes. However, the best and most important way to preserve your incredible manicure is to get rid of any chipped nails. If you leave the chipped nail as it is, then you run the chance of the chipped nail peeling off the rest of your nail paint as well. So get those nail cutters out and get to trimming!

6. Use Gloves While Doing The Dishes

Use Gloves While Doing The Dishes
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One of the best ways to protect your hands from household cleaners, water, and other heavy-duty work is by using a good pair of gloves. Many people skip this step, resulting in crusty hands and broken nails. This is the best way to avoid damaging your nails and your cuticles.

7. Avoid Dipping Your Nails In Hot Water

Avoid Dipping Your Nails In Hot Water
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If you notice that your nails are chipping after you’ve had a hot bath, then we’ve got some terrible news for you, also if you enjoy soaking in a bathtub. If you leave your nails in water for too long, you run the risk of your nails absorbing too much water. Just as your skin prunes up as you soak in water, your nails get affected as well. Hot water and hot baths can make your nails expand because they will start to absorb water.

8. Let Your Nails Dry Completely

Let-Your-Nails-Dry-Completely
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We understand that waiting for your nail polish to dry can be as enjoyable as watching paint dry on a park bench. However, this is an absolute necessity if you want to preserve your manicure. Most nail polishes take more than an hour to completely dry, and even if they feel dry, they might not be dry on the inside. Let your nails paint settle before you start moving things around.

9. Wipe Your Bare Nails With White Vinegar

Wipe Your Bare Nails With White Vinegar
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While it sounds weird to tell someone to rub plain white vinegar on their nails, it is actually a great idea as it can help to remove excess oil that may be present on your nails. The vinegar acts as a natural cleanser before you get your manicure. Use a cotton swab to swipe each of your nails with vinegar and let your nails air dry so that you have a clean slate for a manicure. After this is done, you can proceed with your regular nail polish routine.

10. Be Careful Not To Get The Colour On Your Cuticles

Be Careful Not To Get The Nail Polish On Your Skin
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While we understand that this is totally unintentional and it isn’t easy to keep things neat and tidy. It’s very easy for nail polish to bleed onto your skin and cuticles. Avoid this, as it will break the seal between your nail and the polish. If you paint your skin and cuticle as well, the nail polish can lift off your nail and cause chipping. Before painting your nails, start by rubbing a balm on the skin around your nails. It will prevent the paint from sticking to your skin.

11. Warm The Bottle With Your Palms

Roll The Bottle Of Nail Polish In Your Palm To Warm It
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While you’ve probably seen plenty of women struggling by shaking the bottom of your nail polish on their palm, it’s a bad idea. If you want to warm up your nail paint and want it to glide on more smoothly, it’s a good idea to roll it between your palms rather than shaking it. Roll the bottle at a rapid but smooth pace.

We can assure you that you will notice the difference between your hawt color chipping away in three days versus staying strong without becoming flaky. If you are in the habit of changing your nail paint from time to time, make sure you give your nails a breather at times, to avoid brittleness. The nail-paint pigment can cause harm if it is used for months altogether. All you need to do is stay calm, let your nail paints dry and avoid using your hands without gloves or protection. Go ahead and use those beads and glitters too, if you are already a master in home-style manicure. Do let us know if any of the tips in this article were helpful for you.

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