Chip resistant nail polish techniques - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Chip resistant nail polish techniques

elpgal

Veteran

I have been working on another project - I finally quit my nail-biting habit and have gone about 2 months so far! Sort of. The only way I can keep from biting them is if I have some nail polish on them. I got 2 professional manicures but their results don't seem to last any longer than my efforts although they look much much better. Any tips and techniques to make your manicure last longer? So far, I have tried the 'natural' brands - Butter, Suncoat and Piggy paint but the results have been disappointing. What brands do you like? Color-wise I like the pearly opalescent neutrals.

General

15 replies

Latest reply was from shedev

SandyG

Veteran

I switched to Caption a year ago and I'm happy with my 'polished but natural' look and substantial, shiny wear from this line. A couple of little tips: after washing off cuticle cream, use a small brush to apply alcohol to the nail, which eliminates all traces of oil and gives a smooth surface for polish to adhere to. Maybe try a sticky base coat (but I use Caption's regular base coat. Two thin coats of color polish with drying time in between, and the final top coat gets a hairline swipe of polish at the end of each nail, sealing everything. Repeat the topcoat in about 3 days.

Seriously, my nails look good and they're healthy for the first time ever.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I like the Sally Hansen gel formula (doesn't require the special light and comes off with regular remover). The gel top coat sets it nicely. I use a single coat of a sheer shimmery pink and a generous goat of the gel sealer. It lasts longer than anything else has for me.

Natalie

What cheweyspagetti said. I, too, like sally Hansen gel-style. It lasts about a week for m e, if I use the top coat.

Anonymous

Congrats, Elpgal! A manicure only lasts about 3-4 days for me. My nail tech says it has to do with the oils in our nails, which explains why my polish stays on longer as I age. The alcohol tip Sandy posted makes a lot of sense.

Gel is a good solution, but I can't wear it (my nails are thin and the gel seems to lift them from my nail bed). I've had the best luck with the European brands LCN and Mavala. My nail tech also swears by Orly's base coat.

jenanded

Veteran

My manicures rarely last long but I recently had my nails painted and I applied the gel effect top coat daily and I got 8 days with only 1 tiny chip. If I get organised to even paint my nails I will do this again!

Marlene1

I am a fan of the "Zoya Naked Manicure" - a "your nails but better look." It is a few steps - base, two coats of color, sealer - but it lasts at least a week. (They also make a product for white tips, but I've never used it.) The sealer (top coat) comes in a shiny finish or a matte finish. My nails look groomed and they're easy to maintain.

chadya

Veteran

Sinful Gel, lasts at least a week if not longer
and priced at $3 each, not a huge color range though

Helen11

Veteran

Well done on changing habits!
I very rarely paint my nails. Would a simple strengthening polish or clear coat still be enough of a reminder for you, without showing chips?

Sara L.

Veteran

I use Sally Hansel Complete Salon Manicure - it's not gel but they last about a week for me. You don't need a base coat or top coat - it's all supposed to be in the one bottle. I use two coats of the polish and occasionally add a quick dry top coat (some colors seem to chip more than other colors). A quick swipe with alcohol or nail polish remover before you start will help get any oils or lotions off your nails so the polish adheres better. Also, try to stay away from water as much as possible - it's death on polish.

Oh, sometimes I use these for fun: http://www.incoco.com/

They're fairly easy to apply once you get the hang of it and last forever - 10-14 days.

chadya

Veteran

Agreeing with Sara L, always wearing gloves when doing dishes or any cleaning jobs.

Isabel

Veteran

I LOVE the essie gel top coat because it adds longevity and can be used with any nail polish brand. With that said, I clean, I cook, I do yard work...it is really hard to keep my nails in tip top shape. I have found that moisturizing my nails every night really, really helps. Things tend to crack and not be pliable is they are dry. I also top off my nail color every 3 days or so and go under the nail with the gel coat. Like the nail is wrapped at the tip.

But it is still RARE that I can go for two weeks. The only women that I know that can go that long have housekeepers. : )

JAileen

Veteran

I don't put polish on my fingernails, just toenails. My pedicurist puts something on just the tips for anti chipping. I usually go a month between pedicures.

I live in a desert and do the usual things. I slather on Aquaphor at night and other times as needed. I wear gloves when I garden. Twice I've had to have splinters removed professionally. Once they had to cauterize it. That was incredibly gross, especially the smell. And the other time I fainted because the numbing shot was in the wrong spot and when they started digging, the pain caused me to faint.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dee

Veteran

I've mostly given up on finding a lost lasting manicure, so I'll be watching this thread. Regular polish generally starts chipping in 3 days for me, and the gels make it about a week. In not hard on my hands either (desk job) so something about my nails just doesn't work well with polish.

elpgal

Veteran

Interesting about using the alcohol to clean the nails. I wear gloves for all housework and yardwork. Looks like a trip to CVS is in store. I tried going bare and just doing a top coat but it seems to turn yellow.

shedev

Veteran

I second Isabel on Essie gel topcoat.