Here are a few tips to help make your manicure last and look great. Plus, an easy do-it-yourself nail-painting helper…
Chip-proof your manicure: Are you tired of nail polish and beautiful tips chipping too soon after your manicure? Here’s what to do…
Before your manicure: A clean, oil-free nail surface will help polish stay on longer. Wipe your nails with a cotton ball or pad soaked with witch hazel. Witch hazel (available at drugstores and most supermarkets) is an astringent cleanser, and its salicylic acid helps to remove oils. White vinegar can also help protect your polish by removing residues and oils. Wipe your fingernails with the vinegar, and let them air dry. This tangy treatment will help the polish stay on and look great longer.
After your manicure: Every few days, polish underneath the edges of your nails to strengthen the tips—which are extremely vulnerable to chipping and breaking.
Don’t paint your skin: Here’s some help for the DIYer manicurist. Before you polish your nails, use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the skin around your nails. That way, any polish that misses your nails won’t stick to your skin.
