Well groomed nails exude confidence and care from the person sporting them. This is why many women spend the time and money to have their nails done regularly. There are few things more frustrating in life than watching a fresh manicure chip and peel under the wear and tear of daily life. Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take both during and after your manicure treatment to keep those glam tips looking as good as possible for as long as possible.

The first tip in getting your manicure to last is to prepare your nails properly before putting a single stroke of polish on them. This means that all old polish should be stripped off using a nail polish remover and all residual oil and lotion must be washed off well. The cleaner your nails are, the better your polish will stick to them. Your cuticles should be gently pushed back into place using an orange stick, since painting polish over the edges of cuticles will cause the polish to peel up sooner. Finally, always apply a base coat before using polish, because this step will assist the polish in adhering to the nail better.

Next, make sure that each coat, starting from the base coat, is allowed to dry sufficiently before the next coat is applied. This usually takes a minimum of ten minutes, and will help each coat to adhere sufficiently to the prior one. Use a number of thin coats of polish rather than one thick one, to prevent bubbling and peeling. You can benefit from some wrapping action in your manicure by coating the tips and underside of your nails with a bit of polish as well. This will protect the tips of your nails and seal the polish so that it does not chip as easily. Always finish up your manicure with a coat of a protective topcoat, and reapply this layer every day or two. Most professional manicurists will absolutely swear by this method of helping your polish to stay intact much longer.

Once your manicure is complete, always use rubber gloves to protect your hands when they will be exposed to water or any type of cleaning solvents. Avoid using your nails as tools, and get used to gripping and grabbing items with the pads of your fingers instead of the tips. Get assistance from another person or a tool to perform tasks like popping open soda cans or other containers. Throw out your nail polish after six months, since older polish will not only discolor, but will not adhere to your nails as well. With a few tips under your belt and a little extra care for your top ten, you will be able to enjoy your manicure for a much longer time.

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