How to make your manicure last as long as possible

If you’ve decided to not to a home gel manicure, then the most frustrating thing in the world is putting in so much work only to have it get messed up the next day. There are several things that you can do to ensure that you have a long lasting manicure.

Before you begin your manicure, make sure that your nails are completely dry. Having wet nails when you start a manicure may cause the nail polish not to stick as well. This will lead to your nails chipping sooner than they should.

Apply a base coat to your nails before putting your color down. A base coat will give your nail polish something to latch on to and will help it last longer.

Wait 10 minutes after you have applied your polish. When you are done with your manicure it may be tempted to get up and starts doing errands as soon as possible. You’re less likely to ruin your manicure so quickly if you have patience and wait 10 minutes to let it dry. Your manicure may last 3 times as long from this simple step alone.

Avoid heat for 12 hours after your manicure. Even if you nail polish seems to be dry, it could take up to 12 hours before they are truly cured. Heat on your nails such as hot water, or even blowing them with your mouth could interfere with the curing process. The best thing to do would be to avoid excessive heat until the next day.

Carry a nail file. Having a nail file on you all the time means you can handle any damage to your manicure as soon as it happens.

Moisturize your hands daily and use cuticle oils. This will help keep you nails from drying out and makes it a lot less likely for them to break.

Apply a top coat to your nails after a few days. A top coat will help bring the shine back into a dying manicure. It will also help extend the life of your manicure for another couple of days.

Following these simple steps will definitely help to keep your manicure looking beautiful for much longer than usual. Say goodbye to one day painted nails!