That fresh feeling we get after a trip to the nail salon is one we all wish to prolong. Shiny, picture-perfect nails in a color of your choice complement every outfit and give you that extra edge. They make us feel put together, yet when they start to fade, chip, or grow out, paying a visit to your nail technician becomes your top priority.
However, not all of us have the time to get a manicure regularly, especially when social and work commitments get in the way. This is when knowing how to prolong the life of your gel nails comes in.
From using cuticle oil to requesting an additional top coat to filing your nails down when they get too long, you can follow a series of top tips. In this guide, we list a handful of them. This ensures you have them in your arsenal. Read on to discover more.
1. Invest in a Quality Cuticle Oil
One way to prolong your gel nail polish involves embracing a quality cuticle oil. Just as moisturizing our bodies and faces is important, hydrating your cuticles is equally essential. This nifty solution can be purchased from your local salon, online, or at a drugstore.
Applying cuticle oil to the sides and edges of your nails’ll ensure they stay hydrated. This prolongs the lifespan of your polish. For best results, apply once or twice a day.
2. Regularly File Your Nails
A tiny dent or tear in your nail can ruin your day. Until it has been rectified, it’s often all you can think about. This is when carrying a mini nail file in your purse or bag, which is a must. This way, when a tear or dint occurs, you can smooth it out on the spot. This avoids further damage and ruining your manicure. It also avoids catching your nails on clothing, which can prove painful!
3. Protect Your Hands and Nails with Rubber Gloves
Whether scrubbing floors, washing dishes, or cleaning windows, always wear rubber gloves if you wish to protect your nails. This will protect your gel nails from harsh cleaning chemicals and hot water. It will also safeguard them against university chips and scratches, which can ruin your manicure.
4. Push Back Your Cuticles
Painting your cuticles can be detrimental to the lifespan of your gel manicure. This is because nail polish peels easily off your skin. When you don’t take the time to push your cuticles back, this can cause your gel manicure to chip.
When pushing back your cuticles, one point to note is to do so with care. Pushing them back too far can be painful and cause damage. For best results, visit your nail technician and get them to do this.
5. Add Top Coat
If you don’t have time to book in for a fresh gel manicure, touch them up with a high-shine top coat. This will protect them from chipping and add a high shine, making them appear newer than they are. Refreshing the finish of your polish will help them to stand the test of time, meaning fewer trips to your nail technician
6. Avoid Overly Hot Water
Although a steamy shower or sauna can feel like heaven after a long day in the office or a workout at the gym, overly hot water can soak your manicure away. Moreover, hot water can cause your gel polish to contract and expand. It also dries your nails out.
7. Try Not To Peel Them Off!
It’s hard to stop once you start peeling and picking at your gel nails! Instead of ruining your beautiful manicure, avoid peeling away your gels when they begin to lift and wait until you can have them professionally soaked off. This will also prevent damaging your nail bed!
8. Don’t Bite Your Nails
If you’re a nail biter, applying gel nails can help you stop doing this, as it’s often hard to bite through gel polish. Other steps you can take include applying a nail-biting deterrent to your nails.
9. Steer Clear of Direct Sunlight
Unlike standard nail polish, gel nails are set under a UV light. Despite this, the UV rays from direct sunlight aren’t suitable for your manicure. With this in mind, try to steer clear of direct sunlight. If you live in a hot country or are planning a vacation, applying an additional top coat to your nails may be worth applying.
The Bottom Line
Having beautiful nails is an asset to all. It creates a polished, stylish look. Putting more thought into your appearance is one of the easiest ways to boost your social prospects and how people see you. Whether you opt for a low-key, classic manicure or avant-garde, overly bright nails, protecting them will ensure they stand the test of time.
From wearing rubber gloves when you do chores to steering clear of direct sunlight and overly hot water, you can follow plenty of tips to care for your manicure.
All the above will help you to keep your manicure looking fresh until your next appointment with your nail technician.
