Back in 2008, The New York Times tried to make chipped nails a thing.
Yeah…I’m not about that life. I’m all for purposefully messy hair (fun buns 4 life!), but a messy mani gets a HARD PASS. I’ll take my manicures neat and tidy, thank you very much, with a side of “no chips on tips, please.”
There are a couple things that make it easier to live a chip-free nail life, like 1) finding a base and top coat that can withstand everyday life (for me, those are currently the Smith & Cult Base Coat and Essie Gel Couture Topcoat) and 2) taking a few preventative measures to lessen the likelihood of chips at the tips of my nails, which is where I always get them first.
Here are three things that help keep my nails looking freshly painted all week long:
1. Don’t forget to tip
First, before you paint a layer of polish, paint underneath the tips of your nails, and then run the brush along the tip (holding your nail horizontally, brush the polish on the vertical part of the tip).
Wait about 30 seconds before applying your first legit coat.
Why do this, you might ask? Well, because doing it this way covers your tips in an extra protective layer, so as your nails bang about throughout the week, your tips have an extra layer of armor on them.
Taking this tiny extra step makes all the difference in the world for me. I see fewer chips when I paint my nails.
2. Do a three-day refresh
“Siri, remind me to do another layer of topcoat in three days.”
I usually keep the same polish on my nails for a week, and three days is usually the perfect time to freshen up my manis with another topcoat layer.
I mean, you could do one daily, or every other day (I have friends who do that), but if I do too many topcoat layers, it becomes counterproductive because my polish starts to get thick, and then I’m tempted to peel it off when I get out of the shower.
Note: using a good quick-drying topcoat makes you more likely to actually sit down and do this! Sally Hansen has one called the Insta-Dri Top Coat that’s only five bucks and sets in a minute, but right now I’m really into Essie Gel Couture Top Coat overall. It’s super shiny, and it takes about 10 minutes to dry.
3. Do the double-glove
Before you put a pair of gloves on to do anything — wash dishes, garden, work with power tools — put on a pair of latex gloves first, and slip your real gloves on top.
Yes, this is extra and totally next level, but it’ll help your manicure look great longer. Someone in the comments suggested it, and when I’m wearing gloves, I think it does make my polish last longer.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
You’re right about the nail edges – they’re always the hardest hit. I think your extra layer of protection definitely makes a difference! I’m all about the glove life, too. I even wear disposable hair color gloves when I’m cleaning. Those harsh products always wreak havoc on my hands and nails. And I never wash dishes without my trusty rubber gloves. 🙂 I don’t wear polish on my fingernails often because it doesn’t agree with me (dries and yellows my nails) but the gloves definitely help to keep my natural nails and cuticles healthier!
Hiya Karen! That’s a great color! When you armour up the tips of your nails, how do you not get it all over your skin? Or if you do, what’s your secret to cleaning them up afterward?
Hi Angela,
Inevitably I’ll end up with polish on the tips of my fingers. Once my nails are dry, I dip a pointed Q-tip into nail polish remover, and then I gently run it along my fingertips to remove the excess polish.
I like to put a drop or two of jojoba oil in each fingertip of my nitrile gloves before I put them on, then put the dish gloves on. It’s like a mini spa treatment for my nails and cuticles while I wash the dishes.
Genius, Lexica! I’m going to try this too!
I am nail painting challenged! Do you cover the edges with the colored nail polish or the base coat? I usually run across the tip with my top coat but feel that sometimes makes it worse.
I’m notoriously bad at painting my nails. I usually end up picking all the nail polish along the edges off in the shower??♀️
I have never ever heard that tip about the edges – I need to try that!
Works like a charm!