How To Make A French Manicure Last Longer
How to make French manicure last longer is not something that seems to be easy to answer. This is because, the way we use our hands when painting with our nails has a lot to do with how long they will stay beautiful and how easy it is for them to dry out.
One of the best things you can do to make your French manicure last longer is to use acrylic paint. Acrylic paint has amazing properties that make it the absolute best for painting your nails.
You can get acrylic nails applied for only two dollars at most beauty supply stores, and you will never have to worry about them drying out like artificial nails. This is because your natural nails grow at an amazingly fast rate and this type of manicure is one of the fastest ways to achieve long, beautiful looking nails.
Four Tips For A Long Lasting Manicure At Home
Ive been doing these tips with my Essie Gel Couture polishes, and theyve stayed in nearly perfect condition for two weeks!
The Essie Gel Couture polish is pricier than other nail polish, but my bottles have lasted me years, and its so much less expensive than monthly trips to the nail salon.
Gel Nails At Home: A Simple Diy Guide For Beginners
Looking to do gel nails at home to avoid a trip to the nail salon?
Doing gel nails at home isnt so different from the nail salons. So long as you have the right equipment and have the patience to learn, youre going to find this to be rather enjoyable to do.
Will it work? Yes, perfectly but only if you know how to do it right!
In this guide, youll learn:
Read Also: Human Touch Spa Pedicure Chair
How To Make French Manicure Last Longer
Many women suffer from dull and boring nails, which can really damage the confidence in them when they leave the house. They are not only unattractive but they also do not last long.
However it is possible to create longer and beautiful nails with some simple tips on how to make french manicure last longer.
This type of manicure involves painting each nail with a different color and then filing them down. It should be done every two weeks or so in order to keep the nails looking healthy and vibrant.
If you are wondering how to make french manicure last longer then it is important that you protect your nails from the harsh weather conditions. Some people try to cover their nails in gel to make them appear flawless.
However this isnât always the best option as it can cause the nails to break if it is exposed to water. Instead you should try and wear some moisturizing lotion underneath your nails as well as applying a protective coat of polish to prevent water damage.
It’s All In The Application
Too much polish on the brush will lead to a bumpy finish that takes forever to dry. The key is to take just enough polish on the brush to cover the entire nail in one coat. Make like a pro and paint your nails in three stripesone on each side and one down the middle. More swipes than this will lead to streaky and uneven application. Then make sure you wait for at least two minutes before applying your next coatthe longer you wait between coats, the better.
Recommended Reading: How To Do Essie Gel Nails
Drugstore Mascaras That Never Flake
No one likes a flake. And while you can forgive your best friend who keeps ditching you to rewatch the Office, a flaky mascara is completely unacceptable. Theres nothing worse than perfectly applying your mascara only to find it rimming your eyes or all over your cheeks a few hours later. Not only it is a pain, its completely avoidable with the right p…
Can I Do Dip Powder On My Own Nails
Yes! In fact, it’s easier than you probably think. First you need to prep your nails: clean and sanitize your nail area, groom your cuticles, shape and file your nails, and then gently buff them. Next, depending on the kit, you may need to apply a bonder and then a base coat. Then you quickly ~dip~ each nail into the powder at a 45-degree angle, stop to tap the excess off, then dip again.
You dip as many times as you need to get the pigment and color payoff you want . Then you add a top layer and activator/sealantagain, this depends on the kit, which should give you step-by-step instructions. Voila. Gorgeous dip powder nails!!
Read Also: How To Care For Your Nails At Home
Cut And File Nails Properly
Its important to cut and file your nails to make sure that the edges arent jagged or uneven. Keeping them short can also be effective in helping your nail polish last longer, notes Jessica Tong, a brand ambassador for Smith & Cult. The longer your nails, the more susceptible they are to breakage during your day-to-day activities, especially if youre someone who does a lot of work around your home, like doing laundry or washing dishes.
What You Need For Gel Nails At Home
Getting gel nails done is unlike a traditional nail polish procedure where equipment is not needed. With gel nails, you will need a kit of tools in order to properly apply gel polish.
What you need for a seamless at-home gel mani is:
- LED lamp or UV Lamp
- Glass or crystal files
Without a curing lamp that emits UV light, you wont be able to cure your gel nails.
Its possible to go au naturel by sunbathing your nails and taking advantage of the suns UV rays, but its not the most effective method for curing your DIY gel polish manicure because youd have to wait for the weather to be right.
A UV lamp or LED curing lamp is the right choice here. However, our recommendation is to stick with a LED curing lamp as it omits less UV light and dries the gel polish the quickest.
Also Check: Where To Buy Gel Nail Polish
Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover Available At Target For $499
I put this product at the end for the sole fact that I personally don’t touch my cuticles since they get pushed back and removed from my daily activities anyway. They don’t personally bother me so I leave them be. On top of that, I wouldn’t recommend using this product on a weekly basis or every time you paint your nails, but it’s a great house keeping tool.
The Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover was recommended to me by a coworker Megan Foster, a self-proclaimed nail enthusiast, who said, “I discovered the Sally Hansen cuticle remover at my local Target and since then, it’s been hard to tell the difference between an at-home and salon manicure. It’s easy to apply, works in a few seconds, and leaves my cuticles looking refreshed and clean.”
To use this product, simple apply a thin strip of the gel formula to each cuticle. After 15 seconds, push back the cuticles using a cotton-wrapped manicure stick. The formula features Chamomile and Aloe, so your cuticles and skin stay nourished to give you that salon-grade finish.
, “Within seconds of applying it to my nails, the cuticle becomes soft and I can remove it right away. I used to never remove my cuticles when doing my nails, I guess because I didn’t really know how to, but since I started using this product, my nails look so good.” , “I have been using this for years. I don’t like having my cuticles cut and this works really well to clean up my cuticles.”
Sinfulcolors Professionals Nail Polish Available At Harmon Face Values Or Target For $199
You don’t need to spend a ton of money on a nail polish color to get a salon-grade manicure. Personally, I would never spend more than a few bucks on paint for my nails. SinfulColors is not only inexpensive coming in at just $1.99 a bottle, but it’s also just as durable as its competitors that are two and three times the price.
A reviewer on MakeupAlly wrote, “I recently used one and kept it on for six whole days with ZERO chipping.” Another user wrote, “This product was easy to use and dried fairly quickly. Durability seems to be three to seven days depending on what you’re doing “
The amount of time that passes before you start chipping heavily depends on what your daily activities are like.
Read on to the last two slides to find out how I take a $2 nail polish and make it look salon-grade.
You May Like: How To Treat Severe Nail Fungus
What Is The Average Duration Of A Standard Manicure
Regular nail paint manicures are renowned for peeling quickly, especially when done at home, and only last a few days. To extend the life of your DIY manicure, wipe down the nail and beneath the free edge with 99% isopropyl alcohol to eliminate any oils that might hinder the polish from sticking. Your nail technician will almost certainly perform the same thing in a salon.
Avoid Getting Polish On Your Cuticles
It’s easier said than done, we know, but do your best to paint inside the lines. A stray swipe of polish might not seem be-all and end-all, but you don’t want the lacquer to settle into your cuticles. See, the paint on your skin will come off quicker than the paint on your nails if your polish is sealed between your skin and nail, when the paint eventually lifts off your cuticles, the polish on your nail will chip along with it.
But mastering an error-free mani is, you know, pretty difficult. Try this fail-safe tip for a smudge-free manicure: Before applying your base coat, trace the perimeter of your nails with an oily balm, especially working it into those cuticles. The jelly substance acts as a barrier between your skin and the nail, so if you smudge a little polish into your cuticles while you paint, it’ll wipe off afterward with ease.
Read Also: How To Do Acrylic Nails
Determine How Many Extras You Need
Here’s the thing: it’s all about how much money you want to spend and what type of kit you want. If you want one that’s easier for beginners, pick a package that involves fewer steps and tools. If you’re a pro at nail art or design, a kit that has more of a color range might be the best for you to get the most bang for your buck.
Wipe Your Nails Down First
Even if you dont have any nail paint on, using nail polish remover first is key. This helps wipe away any natural oils from your nails, which can get in the way of your nail polish adhering properly to the surface. But unlike what you may be used to at the salon, it’s best to skip a soak. A water bath will cause your nails to expand and when they dry and shrink down, the polish can crack.
Recommended Reading: How To Make Your Nails Thicker
Make Your Manicure At Home Last
Okay, you spent all this time filing, buffing, and polishing, so you want your nail polish to last more than, uh, one day before chipping. Gibson’s number one tip: Reapply a thin layer of topcoat every two to three days. “This will act as a layer of defense against everything your hands are interacting with and really extend the life of your mani,” she explains.
The enemy of a fresh mani is water. Soaking or washing your hands before painting your nails will make your polish chip faster because your nail absorbs the water and doesn’t dry for an hour or two after, says Kandalec. Wearing gloves while cleaning and doing dishes can help. It will protect your nails from the water and also the harsh ingredients in your cleaners, she explains. As much as possible, avoid submerging your manilike in your weekly bathyou can still take one just try to keep your hands above water by say, holding a glass of wine.
Whats A Gel Manicure And How Does It Differ From Regular Polish
So, what am I actually talking about? Im talking about gel manicures using gel polish thats cured with an LED light. I use gel or shellac products for manicures because even a good quality regular polish will only last me a maximum of four days. And thats provided its an incredible manicure and I avoid doing the dishes or anything overly strenuous with my hands for that period of time. By contrast, a good gel or shellac manicure can last me a full three weeks without chippingseriouslyand I can do all the dishes I want. In many cases, I only replace my gel manicure at the three week mark not because its chipped, but because my nails have grown out.
You May Like: What Can You Do For Splitting Nails
Push Your Cuticles Back
“When polish sticks to your cuticles, it’s easy to peel and ruin your mani,” says Amy Lin, the founder of sundaysa nail care brand focused on wellness . That said, pushing them back gently with a wooden stick or cuticle pusher can help create ample space on the nail plate.
“Make sure you clean any residue oil from the cuticle serum after you’re done cleaning up your cuticles,” Lin notes, adding, “Wash your hands or use a polish remover to clean the nail plate.”
Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer
This long-lasting polish serves a high-end manicure that will look and feel exactly like gel. It comes with a precision brush so easy to use, even the most inexperienced DIY manicurists will be able to create an immaculate application. The formula is so shiny, you don’t even need a top coat, but you can add one to protect the polish and get as many chip-free days out of it as possible.
Shop now: $28 nordstrom.com
This popular polish line offers a creamy application and rich color, requiring less coats to get thick, even coverage than many other polishes. Less is more when you want to avoid chips and get a full 10 days out of your manicure. The vegan formula is also made cruelty-free and contains no harsh chemicals. This beautiful nude shade is a great everyday color that “goes with everything,” according to shoppers, but it’s also available in a slew of other shades.
Shop now: $12
You May Like: How To Sanitize Shoes From Fungus
How To Do A Long
links + loves
Hair and nails can be the best accessory to any outfit, and nothing is quite as discouraging as discovering a chip on freshly painted nails. Ill be honest, Ive been a gel manicure kind of gal on my fingernails for a few years now, but as my life is getting busier, Im finding that I want to spend less and less time sitting in the chair at the nail salon for an hour. Dont get me wrong, its very nice to have an hour of quiet where I can turn my brain off, but Im always trying to find the right concoction of products for a long-lasting home manicure that wont chip on day 2!
More important than the polish application itself is the prep work. I thought it would be most helpful to demonstrate each step, so you can watch that below!
How sad is my color coat and top coat lid? Essie sent a few colors from their Gel Couture collection and upon opening the package I realized that the beautiful red shade had broken and covered everything. I spent a bit of time with a cotton ball and nail polish remover to remove the spilled polish from the area where the cap twists on and off so it wouldnt stick, but then I moved on to another project .
So, yes its unsightly, but I wanted to show you how the new Gel Couture applies AND wanted to show how nice the finish is. It is thicker, in my opinion, than regular nail polish, but still very easy to apply.
the bracelet Im wearing is from Maya Brenner and I wear it every single day. ::heart eye emoji::
SaveSave
