Nothing feels as good as walking out of the salon with freshly done nails, and it’s totally normal to want your brand new manicure to last as long as possible. However, with all of your daily lifestyle and activities, this might not be the easiest thing to do. A standard manicure will last around one to two weeks before it starts chipping and breaking, but there are some things you can do to prolong the lifespan of your manicure and get the most out of it!
Go with a Gel Manicure
In case you didn’t know, there are a few different types of manicures that you can choose from, but you’ll have a hard time finding one that outlasts a gel manicure. Compared to regular nail polish, gel polish has a much more impressive lifespan of around two to three weeks before any visible signs of damage start to show through. Gel nail polish is widely known for its strength, resistance to damage, and longevity, and there are a few reasons why this is the case:
- Better Formulation: Gel nail polish has an entirely different chemical composition compared to normal nail polish. It’s designed to be much more durable, robust, and less prone to damage, leaving you with a much longer-lasting manicure.
- Curing Process: Gel nail polish is often cured underneath a UV lamp or light, and this creates a much stronger bond between the polish and your natural nails compared to regular nail polish, making it more resistant to everyday wear and tear compared to polish that is air dried.
- Resistance to Daily Substances: Gel nail polish can handle exposure to water and other daily household chemicals much better than other types of polish. This means that normal activities like washing dishes, household cleaning, and swimming won’t take as much of a toll on your nails.
Moisturize Your Nails and Cuticles
You shouldn’t let your professional nail technician do all the heavy lifting when it comes to prolonging your manicured nails. There are some things that you can also do to ensure that they look as good as possible, the most important of which is moisturizing your nails and cuticles. Understandably, you may not have been aware of this, but dry and dehydrated nails will lead to cracking and breaking of your polish, as well as untidy cuticles.
Look for a high quality cuticle oil or nail treatment and massage it into your nails every night before you go to bed. And aside from keeping your manicure around for longer, this will also do wonders for both the health and general appearance of your nails and cuticles.
Reapply Your Topcoat
Most professional manicures will finish off your nails with a nice topcoat layer, but it’s still important that you reapply this every other day or when needed. This topcoat layer serves as an extra layer of protection that shields your color polish from the daily damage that it can be exposed to, but in doing that, your topcoat might wear out more quickly.
Invest in a good topcoat, and make sure to top up your nails when you feel like the existing coat is a bit worn out. This will keep your color as vibrant as ever and keep it from chipping and cracking.
Protect Your Nails
While some nail polishes are more resistant to damage than others, it’s still a good idea to protect your nails as much as you can. This means wearing gloves when doing household chores like cleaning and dishes. Along with this, it’s also important to keep your nails away from too much hot water, which can weaken and dry out your nails and cause them to chip. It also goes without saying that you should avoid picking at your nails at all costs.
Have Your Nails Done Professionally
You may have your reasons for wanting to do your own nails, but that might not be the best thing for the longevity of your manicure. When done by a professional, not only will your nails be properly cleaned and prepped, but the right products will also be used to extend the lifespan of your manicure as much as possible. An experienced technician will also know the best way to apply and layer nail polish for maximum effectiveness.
Understandably, it can be hard to book a salon appointment. Not only will you be struggling to find an open slot that works for you, but your schedule might not be able to accommodate the extra drive time. If that’s the case, then consider a home manicure service instead. Aside from enjoying some pampering in the comfort of your own home, you’ll also be much more likely to stick to a regular manicure routine, which will ensure that your nails always look amazing.
While manicures aren’t exactly expensive, they’re still something that you want to get your money’s worth out of. By practicing these simple but effective lifestyle changes, you can rest assured that your nails will look amazing all the time!
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