How to ensure your fingernail polish lasts long

Some of the best long-lasting fingernail polish tips and tricks to make your manicure worth it. Unless you chew their nails until they sink into your skin (and disappear), ...

4 min read

Some of the best long-lasting fingernail polish tips and tricks to make your manicure worth it.

Unless you chew their nails until they sink into your skin (and disappear), long-lasting fingernail polish is always a treat. After a relaxing manicure, a fresh coat of nail polish is probably what you look forward to most. What’s more: Picking from a wide range of colour options and experimenting with nail art occasionally adds to each session’s thrill. 

While freshly painted nails are aesthetically pleasing and even gram-worthy at times, you know the excitement is short-lived. The moment your nail polish starts to chip, it’s panic city – especially when you have social events lined up. To top it all, this happens without warning, so you’re never prepared. After all, let’s face it – carrying a nail polish in your purse everywhere you go, for touch ups, is hardly a solution. 

If only there was a way for your nail paint to last longer without having to invest in gel manicures all the time, right? Here’s where we step in. Before we dive into the secrets of long-lasting fingernail polish, let’s answer some questions you may have with regard to their life span. 

Why does my nail polish wear off so fast?

Before you apply nail polish, you need to ensure that your nails are thoroughly cleaned and dried for long-lasting results. If your nails are oily, wet, or have leftover handcream on them, the polish tends to peel off much sooner. If you’re switching to another nail polish colour, ensure to rub off every bit of the previous shade with nail polish remover or alcohol pads. 

How many days does regular nail polish last?

Regular nail polish should last around 3-5 days, given that you tend to dirty your finger nails while eating or cooking and expose them regularly to water, oil, and even moisturiser during your skincare regime. If you’re really careful, your nail polish should last upto a week without chipping. But the durability of your nail polish also depends on its quality and other lifestyle factors that determine the condition of your nails.

Secrets to long-lasting fingernail polish 

Here are some things to remember if you want your fingernail polish to last long after your manicure.

How do you make nail polish last 2 weeks?

  1. Wipe your nails down
  2. File your nails well
  3. Reduce your nail length
  4. Always apply a base coat 
  5. Use the correct technique
  6. Pay attention to the edges 
  7. Use glitter for durability 
  8. Maintain your manicure 

These are proven methods to help you achieve long-lasting fingernail polish. Given that you can’t always wait to get a manicure before applying nail polish, here are some DIY methods you can include in your nail polish application routine.

Wipe your nails down 

Keep your nails clean and dehydrated before applying nail polish. The dryer your nails are, the more long-lasting they will be.

File your nails well 

We can’t emphasise this enough. If your nails are in good shape, your polish is less likely to chip (as with your nails themselves).

Reduce your nail length 

The longer your nails, the more difficult they are to manage. They won’t get stuck on your clothes and nail polish will stay put.

Always apply a base coat 

This is one of the most essential steps of applying nail polish, to ensure they last longer. It gives your nails a layer of added protection too.

Use the correct technique 

You might have noticed that your nail paint after a manicure usually lasts longer than when you apply it yourself. Trust your professional to do their job!

Pay attention to the edges 

When you apply nail polish, ensure to close off the edges properly, because that’s where they are most likely to chip. A double coat helps with durability too.

Use glitter for durability 

Glitter nail polish tends to last longer than regular nail polish since it has a thicker consistency and sticks to your nails better.

Maintain your manicure 

Post care regime is extremely important for long-lasting fingernail polish. Apply nail oil on your cuticles to enable healthy nail growth. 

While these tips might help you with long-lasting fingernail polish after all your manicure sessions in the future, here are some other things you may want to keep in mind. 

What type of nail polish lasts the longest? 

There are two types of nail polish applications that keep your coloured nails intact for long: Gel and acrylic. While gel is less likely to chip, acrylic has a stronger concentration. Both of these are heavy on the pocket and require professional assistance. 

Is gel nail polish harmful?

Gel nail polish looks plush on your fingers and is a great option for weddings or long holidays, since it lasts way longer than regular polish and requires low maintenance. The technique uses a UV or LED lamp and is a much longer process than a regular manicure. However, gel nail polish is not recommended for regular application since it can cause brittleness, peeling, and cracking of your nails. 

What type of nail polish stays on the best?

Polygel nail polish lasts super long and also feels lighter on your nails. It has fewer chemicals in comparison to acrylic nail polish and is fragrant-free. This type of nail polish lasts longer than others, going up to three weeks. 

What ingredient makes nail polish last longer?

Nail polish usually contains an ingredient called plasticizers, which keeps the resin flexible once it is dry. This is what helps with long-lasting fingernail polish. 

How often should I paint my nails?

Since lacquer nail polish doesn’t last as long, it should be changed once a week. If you follow the above care tips, there are chances of it lasting longer without chipping. A good quality base and top coat will also help increasing the durability.

How do you keep nail polish from fading?

No matter which colour you pick, all nail polish applications should be preceded with a base coat, layered twice, and succeeded with a top coat. Ensuring you allow each coat enough time to dry, it should prevent fading and last longer.

Does nail polish last longer in the fridge?

All nail polish bottles are advised to be stored in a cool and dry place, away from sunlight. Hence, it is not unusual to store them in your refrigerator to give you better results. Long-lasting fingernail polish also depends on the quality you pick. 

Book your next manicure session right here and follow these tried and tested after-care sessions to ensure long-lasting fingernail polish.

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