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getting feet ready for sandals

always trying

Veteran

I Have not been wearing polish on my toenails during the cooler , non sanda,l months. Last spring and summer I seldom changed polish colors. I wore a lite pink mostly all season. Usually I change colors several times, and use remover a lot. Was the healthiest my nails have ever been. I think frequent use of remover causes the breakage and other nail issues, My pink jell is almost empty, so I will have to find something to use this spring. any suggestions of long term wear, and good color so I don't have to do much removing this year?

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. Good questions. Acrylic is hard wearing, but that has its own issues. Have you ever tried any ‘health food store’ brands? Remover without acetone and so forth?

Isabel

Veteran

I don't know how often you mean by "often". I am not someone who switches often at all. I usually pick one color for the open toe shoe season and that's it.

One of my absolute favorites is a light gray. Essie has a big range and it includes mettalics for a little punch. There are also some fun holographic type polishes.

My toe polish can last up to 4 weeks with some care in between. I use Orly rubberized base coat and then an Essie gel top coat ( one for ANY nail polish ) . Every 3 rd day I add another top coat. I also regularly use foot lotion to keep everything soft ( and try to prevent the polish from cracking )

Good luck !!!!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I don’t use nail polish because of environmental concerns about how they are made. I know there are some being formulated these days to be less harmful, wonder if some of those might be easier on your body too.

Anonymous

I recommend Habit nail polish, they are pricier but they’re healthier and hold up well. They go on smoothly and don’t chip. Lots of the colors would be fun for summer, or if you don’t want to switch often a metallic would be pretty.

https://www.habitcosmetics.com.....ail-polish

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Do you feel you must wear nail polish in summer? Do you not feel like yourself without it? I remember Angie changing to “team naked nails” as she calls it, I think for nail health reasons.
What about just having a gap between removing one set of polish and adding the next? For colour, either a gold or a silver can be pretty.

Helena

Veteran

I use a sheer pink from Essie called "Vanity Fairest" I believe ... I have mixed results with Essie, but this one is good, one coat is enough for a healthy looking sheer pink shine to my nails, and very forgiving with chips and things, so it doesn't need to be changed nearly as often as other colours (and with one coat only you don't need to be too aggressive with removers).

suzieq

I don’t ever wear nail polish. I just keep my feet in great shape & make sure to moisturize.

Runcarla

Veteran

I’m becoming a high maintenance woman in my 60’s! LOL! Painting toenails May-October for about 8 years now, and started fingernails during the pandemic! My go to is OPI for polish, but I use a base coat (Sally Hanson Double Duty) and a top coat (Seche VIve). I used to use Seche Vite, but got told about Seche Vive by my aesthetician and it was a game changer! Finger nails last forever, but I change the colour after 3 weeks with a day or two naked in between. Toenails last a month or more.

Here’s an easy cheat if you want to extend a growing out mani or pedi. Add a single coat of a shear polish with sparkle flecks. The bling disguises any tip wear or grow out until you are ready to do your next mani.

Pic below - 2 week old mani. You can see grow out at the base, but no chips or wear at tips! Regular polish. No gel manicures for me!

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Minaminu

Veteran

I use Benecos vintage Red, it's a red nail polish with blue undertones that works well for my skin tone. I am curious to try the nail polish from Zoya, I read good reviews on this brand too.

Gigi

Veteran

Wow, Carla, is the longevity you get from nails due to the Seche Vive? I've been using Seche Vite, but I still get chips. Is the Vive a lot better?

In general, I try to put another layer of topcoat on my toenails every few days. That seems to help the chipping.

I'm nodding along with Carla when it comes to extending the life of a manicure by adding a sheer or clear coat on top that has large chunks of glitter or confetti-type pieces in it. The effect can be really stunning; I actually get a lot of compliments when I do this. I have also added polka dots on top of my nails with a contrasting polish to cover up chipping. I just use a toothpick to make the polka dots.

Runcarla

Veteran

@ Gigi - Seche VIve gets the credit for mani longevity. It comes in a blue bottle.

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Anonymous

I am using soy based nail polish remover wipes, they’re on Amazon and elsewhere and very gentle and moisturizing.
Bonuses: No damage, funky chemical smell or worries of changing polish a lot.

lisaflex

Veteran

I get pedis every 3 weeks in summer, every 4 in winter. I sometimes do no polish (but do get pedi) in jan/feb/march if not traveling.
constant polish does damage the nails.

Anonymous

Echoing Isabel’s question as to what constitutes a lot of polish changing for you . Most good brands are now 3P free , which is helpful . Paler colours definitely show less wear , and can be touched up with better results than that of a dark or bright . Non acetone remover helps , as does keeping your diet clean and healthy . Which you probably already know , forgive me . I change my toenail polish about every 3 weeks in summer and can’t say I’ve ever seen noticeable damage . I’d love to try going au naturel but I’m not there yet . I often wear a pale yellow or pale orange in the summer .

Anonymous

I like Pacifica, they're 5 free I think. I buff my nails before painting and redo about every 3 weeks. Copper is the color I always go back to, cause it's low contrast on me and goes with everything.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

3P? 5? What are these?

Joy

Veteran

I have not worn polish for years, but back when I did, I liked a pearlized white or later a metallic silver that matched my sandals. If you wear sandals, find something that looks good with them. Do not use blue. People’s nails look blue after they die. Some people will associate them with bad memories.

Anonymous

@FI it's free of some of the most disruptive chemicals.
https://www.byrdie.com/best-no.....es-4777387

N

For those that do have concerns about nail polish, even the "clean" ones are still bad for the environment. The "xxx Free" ones are typically just green washing.
https://www.biome.com.au/blog/.....vironment/

I haven't painted my nails for a long time now, but had a look recently at buffing and shaping my natural nails as an alternative. As for getting my feet ready, I might use those babyfeet peels for the first time (they originally came from Japan so very ubiquitous here).

Anonymous

You can find information about 3P free and 5free terminology by googling it .

And sure , nail polish is never going to be pure and clean with no eco footprint . We all choose our battles.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Interesting, Carla. Just saw that Amazon carries Seche Vive and I will try it.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Suntiger! I knew someone here would have the right site at their fingertips. Those two ingredients sound more like they’re consumer concerns than environmental risks.

N, buffing fingernails and keeping cuticles neat can make a lot of difference—but I’ve never tried to buff my toenails.