Let you fingers do the talking with these chip-free nail polish tips

POLOKWANE – At some point people who apply nail polish on their natural nails have experienced a chip or two. Not only does it look untidy, it can make it uncomfortable to freely work with your hands in front of people. For those who do not have the luxury of getting a manicure, harpersbazaar offers the following tips on how to prevent your nail polish from chipping.

1. Prep your nails

Make sure that old nail polish is completely removed so that you are working on a completely new surface. You can file and buffer your nails as well to remove any bumps and imperfections on the nails that could cause the nail polish to chip.

2. Wash and dry hands

It’s important to wash your hands to remove any excess oil and creams or lotions on your nails right before painting them as this can prevent the polish from adhering to your nails. Make sure your hands are completely dry before you apply nail polish.

3. Use a base coat

Not only does it prevent polish from staining your nails, but it also adheres to your nails better than regular polish, which helps extend the length it stays on your nails.

4. Let the polish dry completely between coats

Ideally, it’s advised to let your nails dry for at least 2 minutes in between each coat of polish, and if you’re wearing a darker shade, you should wait at least 3 minutes as darker polishes typically take longer to dry.

5. Apply a top coat

Begin your top coat by doing a small layer around the tip of the nail. Then, once that is dry, cover the whole nail in top coat. This will give the tip of your nails more strength. Apply a few layers of top coat if you have the time to do it. The top coat should leave a nice, smooth finish that will resist chips and snags. It’s important to find a chip resistant polish.

But the most important tip is to use good quality nail polish from reputable brands. You get what you pay for and if your nail polish costs R10, ask yourself why.