Why is it when you get a pro manicure it seem to last so much longer then when you do it yourself at home?
Well, I'm going to let you in on a secret....The key to longer lasting "at home manicures".
Your polish stays when you have a pro paint job because the manicurist doesn't rush and just throw nail polish on unprepared nails, like some of us do at home. Trust me I'm guilty of it too.
You need to properly prepare your nail bed for the polish to adhere to it correctly.
By following the 3 basic nail polish step: base coat, polish & top coat. Do this and your polish should last for at least 4 days or more. Lets get into it........
Priming
Priming is a crucial step, its also the most skipped and forgotten . Priming takes all the oil off the nail bed before polishing, creating a clean canvass for your paint. By removing that barrier on your nails the polish is able to stay on longer and is less likely to chip.
Here is how you prim your nails....
Some people like to use cotton, but I like to use a paper towel because cotton leaves little fuzzies and strings but a paper towel leaves a clean surface. Anyways saturate your tool of choice with 100% acetone ( you can use polish remover but acetone works best) and wipe each nail clean to a matte finish.
Base Coat
Attention: "DON'T USE 2-IN-1 BASE COAT/TOP COAT COMBOS"!!!!
Both of these 2 babies do 2 majorly different jobs and it make no sense to use the same bottle for both jobs.
Base coats should dry matte or dull with a tacky finish to hold the polish down.
Top coat should dry shiny & smooth.
What does a nail base do you might ask.......Well most good quality base coats contain protein, aloe vera, vitamin E and/or calcium. These nutrients replenish damaged nails. Base also holds the nail polish to the nails bed and at the same time prevents nail polish from staining the nails.
Top Coat
Top coat act as a protective barrier. They prevent nail polish from fading and chipping and gives you a long lasting Shine. Don't forget to seal the tip of your nail with the top coat to help battle chipping and apply a new layer everyday!
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Jun 21, 2012
Amber Does Nails x.
Well, I'm going to let you in on a secret....The key to longer lasting "at home manicures".
Your polish stays when you have a pro paint job because the manicurist doesn't rush and just throw nail polish on unprepared nails, like some of us do at home. Trust me I'm guilty of it too.
You need to properly prepare your nail bed for the polish to adhere to it correctly.
By following the 3 basic nail polish step: base coat, polish & top coat. Do this and your polish should last for at least 4 days or more. Lets get into it........
Priming
Priming is a crucial step, its also the most skipped and forgotten . Priming takes all the oil off the nail bed before polishing, creating a clean canvass for your paint. By removing that barrier on your nails the polish is able to stay on longer and is less likely to chip.
Here is how you prim your nails....
Some people like to use cotton, but I like to use a paper towel because cotton leaves little fuzzies and strings but a paper towel leaves a clean surface. Anyways saturate your tool of choice with 100% acetone ( you can use polish remover but acetone works best) and wipe each nail clean to a matte finish.
Base Coat
Attention: "DON'T USE 2-IN-1 BASE COAT/TOP COAT COMBOS"!!!!
Both of these 2 babies do 2 majorly different jobs and it make no sense to use the same bottle for both jobs.
Base coats should dry matte or dull with a tacky finish to hold the polish down.
Top coat should dry shiny & smooth.
What does a nail base do you might ask.......Well most good quality base coats contain protein, aloe vera, vitamin E and/or calcium. These nutrients replenish damaged nails. Base also holds the nail polish to the nails bed and at the same time prevents nail polish from staining the nails.
Top Coat
Top coat act as a protective barrier. They prevent nail polish from fading and chipping and gives you a long lasting Shine. Don't forget to seal the tip of your nail with the top coat to help battle chipping and apply a new layer everyday!
Jun 21, 2012
Amie D.
Great article