How to Keep Your Manicure Fresh and Neat for a Long Time: 7 Simple Life Hacks
It’s really frustrating when, after spending two hours on your manicure, the polish starts chipping the very next day! If you don’t use gel polish but want your nails to stay flawless for as long as possible, this article is just for you. Extending the durability of your manicure is easier than it seems: you just need to follow a few simple care rules and apply the polish correctly.
1. Degrease your nails
The very first and most important rule for a long-lasting manicure is to apply polish on thoroughly degreased nails. Wipe your nails with a special alcohol-based remover. If you don’t have one handy, no worries — you can use perfume instead, as it also contains alcohol and works great for this purpose.
The key is not to touch your nails or fingers after degreasing, otherwise the effect will be lost, and your manicure won’t last as long.
2. Avoid quick-dry polishes
Polishes that dry in 60 seconds often chip faster and can be more damaging to your nails compared to regular ones. So it’s better to spend more time drying — this will help keep your nails healthy and extend your manicure’s longevity.
3. Apply oil on coated nails
Oil not only softens the cuticles but also helps prolong the durability of your manicure. The main reason nail polish starts chipping is contact with water. That’s why you should apply oil to your nails before taking a shower. It may seem like it washes off immediately, but a thin protective oily film remains on the nail surface, repelling moisture.
4. Seal the nail tips
This is a very important step: when applying the top coat, be sure to brush over the edges of your nails. Polish usually chips starting from the tips, and this simple trick can significantly prolong the life of your manicure.
5. Wait for each layer to dry completely
If you do your manicure at home by yourself, you have a great opportunity to make it more long-lasting. In a salon, the technician usually applies the next layer of polish immediately after the previous one, but to make the polish last longer, it’s worth spending a bit more time on the process. After applying each layer, be sure to wait about 10 minutes for the polish to fully dry before applying the next layer.
For maximum durability of your manicure, it’s recommended to apply 4 layers: a base coat, two layers of colored polish, and a finishing top coat. This exact sequence will help keep your nails beautiful for a long time.
6. Refresh the top coat every one to two days
To make the polish last longer, refresh the coating with a clear top coat every one to two days. This simple trick will help you avoid having to touch up chipped areas.
Note that the top coat should be liquid and easy to apply. If you notice that the top coat has thickened, don’t use it — in that case, the manicure will be ruined, and the polish will peel off much faster.
7. Do not use a hairdryer to dry nail polish
Many girls use a hairdryer to dry nail polish faster. However, this is not recommended. The hot air damages the structure of the polish, so don’t be surprised if your manicure starts chipping the very next day. If you still want to use a hairdryer to dry your polish, use only cold air — this will help preserve the coating for a long time.
Published: 28.07.2025 10:26
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