Make Your Mani Last

I absolutely refuse to pay for a regular manicure, since they usually chip the same day for me. However, I do love gel manicures. Although they are harsher on your nails, so you need to take a little extra care to make sure they last and don’t cause too much damage. I’ve tested many things to see what works and have five fool proof tips for making your gel mani last and keeping your nails their healthiest.

1. It’s all about the cuticle oil. My favorite is this Essie cuticle oil. For the first few days (especially if I’ve had a gel mani removed and a new one put on) I will use this right when I wake up and right before bed. Just brush it all over the nail bed and rub it in to each. I then layer a hand lotion on top.

2. Always have a nail file. Sometimes a nail will break under the gel, while the gel remains in place. When this happens, use a file to file away the gel so it doesn’t catch on something. Also, if your mani chips, file down a bit to prevent any more mani damage.

3. When it does come time to take it off, make sure you either have it removed professionally or do it like the professionals at home. If you don’t, you can cause serious damage to your nails that takes months and months to recover from (guilty.) And no, picking it all off isn’t the professional way.

4. Take a break from super hot water. This means use gloves when you’re doing dishes and maybe tone down the burning hot shower. The hot water will make your nails more brittle and more prone to breaking and chipping.

5. Give your nails a break! We all love having perfectly manicured nails, but sometimes what they really need to do is breathe! Make sure that you give your nails a break with absolutely nothing on them.

p.s. these tips really hold true for both regular and gel manicures. For regular manis at home, add a second coat of top coat to make it last a bit longer. When I am patient enough to let them dry and then a few hours later add the second coat, I can usually get my manicure to last a few days.

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