Nearly everyone who likes painting their nails has had the unpleasant experience of their nail polish chipping and looking bad. It doesn’t matter whether the polish is applied on your natural nails, gel nails, or acrylic ones; it can still peel off.
Chipped nail polish can be embarrassing, especially these days when nails are a big part of personal style.
Your nails are always in your line of sight or the sight of the people you interact with; hence, they can affect how you feel about yourself and how others view you. Since you don’t want to look bad or lack self-confidence due to the way your nails look, having peeling nail polish often means that you need to have them re-done, which can become expensive if your nail polish always chips soon after application.
To make your cute nails last longer, you should learn how to keep your nail polish from peeling off. And this article has got you covered! But first…
Why Does Your Nail Polish Chip?
Before we get to the tips on how to prevent your nail polish from chipping, it is good to understand what could be making it peel off in the first place.
Some common reasons why nail polish chips include;
- It was applied incorrectly
- You used the wrong nail polish brands
- Your nails weren’t prepared properly
- Your daily activities made it chip, e.g., washing the dishes or clothes, typing, gardening, or picking up stuff with your hands or nails
- You bite your nails
- It has been a long time since the nail polish was applied
Now that you know the reasons why your nail polish always chips, how do you prevent the peeling so it can last longer and be worth the money you spent on it? Read on for some tips…
How to Keep Nail Polish from Chipping Quickly
- Choose a reputable brand
The reason your nail polish keeps peeling off could be that it is of low quality. You can make it last longer by choosing a good-quality nail polish from reputable brands. Essie, OPI, Sally Hansen and Orly are some of the most recommended nail polish brands.
Reading reviews, consulting nail technicians, and asking for recommendations from friends whose nails always look good can help you decide on the best nail products to go for.
You can do all the next steps below, but if you choose the wrong brand of nail polish, it will still chip.
- Prepare your nails properly
Before starting the nail polish application process, ensure your nails are smooth and even. You should remove any old nail polish, soften and push back your cuticles, then shape, file, and buff your nails. There should be no bumps or ridges on the nail surface or the tips as they would make it easier for nail polish to chip.
- Wash your hands and dry them well
The next step that will help prevent your nail polish from chipping is to wash your hands after the nail prep and ensure you dry them thoroughly. Excess oil, lotion, or water on the nails will prevent the nail polish from adhering to the nail surface, making it peel off soon after application.
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- Apply a base coat
If you want healthy nails with nail polish that will last long, it’s important to start the nail polish application process with a nourishing base coat on the nail surface. Be sure to wrap the nail tips as well.
A base coat not only fills in any ridges to even out the nail surface, but it also prevents the nail polish pigments from staining your nails. Additionally, applying a base coat before nail polish improves its adherence, thus preventing chipping and making it last longer.
- Allow the nails to dry
You will need a lot of patience in this process.
Let the base coat dry completely for a few minutes before starting on the next coat. Depending on how fast you are at applying the base coat as well as the brand you choose, your first nail might already be dry by the time you’re done with the last.
Allow every other coat you apply in the next steps to dry as well, so it can harden. Rushing the application will make your nail polish chip quickly.
- Mix the nail polish
If you want to use color nail polish, ensure the pigments are mixed well and that the consistency is uniform. For this, don’t vigorously shake the bottle as it may result in air bubbles that will cause uneven application. Instead, you can either shake gently or roll the polish bottle in your palms before starting the process.
- Apply at least two layers of nail polish
Apply 2-3 layers of good-quality nail polish on your nails in long, single strokes. To prevent your nail polish from chipping, apply several thin layers instead of one or more thick ones in order to reduce the chances of air bubbles that would reduce adhesion.
Ensure you paint the edges of the nails too.
Remember to let your nails dry after every coat. However, depending on the type of top coat you plan to use, whether quick-dry or regular, the level of dryness needed may differ. For a regular top coat, let the final layer of nail polish dry fully. If using a quick-dry top coat, don’t let the nails dry completely. Your polish should be a bit tacky (sticky/slightly wet).
- Don’t get polish on surrounding skin
If you are an amateur at this, or whoever is painting your nails isn’t a professional who can do it perfectly, try not to get nail polish on the neighboring skin on your fingers. Removing it later could end up peeling off the polish on the nail as well.
If you do get nail polish on the surrounding skin, don’t let it dry completely while still connected to the polish on your nails. Remove it using a toothpick, a cuticle pusher, or a brush containing a little bit of acetone nail polish remover, either as soon as it happens or when the polish is mostly dry but not fully hardened.
- Apply a top coat
If you want your nail polish to last long without chipping, you need to apply a top coat on the entire nail, including the edges. So, lightly apply two thin layers of top coat on dry or tacky nail polish.
For a quick-dry type of top coat, such as the one by Seche Vite, use just enough product so the brush itself doesn’t drag on the slightly wet polish coat to avoid color transfers that could stain the top coat. Afterward, let it fully dry.
A top coat speeds up the drying process, smoothens any nail art you painted, boosts the shine, gives your nails a polished look, and protects nail polish from chipping.
- Properly care for your nail polish
Did you like how your nail polish turned out? Well, you aren’t done keeping your nail polish from peeling off yet. Caring for your nails after painting them is also an important step to prevent nail polish from chipping.
Some things you can do to care for your nails and prevent the nail polish from chipping include;
- Avoid touching water, e.g., showering or washing your hands, for a while until your nails are completely dry
- Avoid everyday activities that could damage your nails, e.g., gardening, washing the dishes by hand, scrubbing surfaces, and using your nails as tools to pick things up
- Wear gloves when doing household chores
- Avoid biting your nails
- Don’t scratch yourself or things
- File down any small chips that form at the edges of your nails
- Apply a top coat every day or every few days to keep your nails shiny and protected from chips and cracks
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Wrapping Up
Don’t let your nails affect your self-confidence or others’ perception of you. With the above tips, you now know how to prevent your nail polish from chipping. Use these tips to keep your nails shiny and flawless for a longer period.
Remember that keeping your nail polish from peeling off for a longer time is not just about aesthetics. Non-chipping nails will help you save money!
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