QuestionI have a terrible time keeping my nail color from chipping off. I currently use a base coat (from OPI) and have tried several other suggested products but nothing seems to be helping. It never fails, I have a manicure and two days later the color begins chipping off. It is not that I abuse the nails either....for I "baby" them. Please help....this gets to be terribly frustrating when I pay so much for a manicure only to have it last 2 or 3 days.
Thanks
Gail
AnswerBefore applying your polish, you need to 'prep' the nail.
This means remove all living tissue (ie: cuticle) with use of a cuticle remover.
Apply the remover, let it sit 3 minutes. Then using a cuticle pusher/scraper, push and scrape any living tissue off the nail plate.
After, remove any left over residue with a wipe of 99% alcohol or pure acetone.
This step also dehydrates the nail which is important. You must be sure that there are no natural oils left on the nail plate so that the polish will adhere. This will make a difference.
There are many 'dehydrators' on the market. One that is readily available to consumers is "OPI Chip Skip". When yoiu apply it, it evaporates. Although 99% alcohol and pure acetone will provide the same results, bt they will be drying to the nail.
Then proceed with the polish process.
Your base coat is important as well. However, some very good basecoats used professionally are not available to consumers.
If you are able, try to use Creative "Stickey Base Coat" or "Orly Bonder".
Creative Stickey is best. In fact, you can try what is called the "Stickey sandwhich".
The Stickey sandwhich is:
Creative STickey basecoat
Coat of polish
Another coat of stickey basecoat
Another coat of polish
Then topcoat - must be a quality top coat.
When applying the polish, be sure to 'cap' the free edge of the nail. Sort of like bedsheets wrap around the mattress?
Every 2 days, apply another coat of clear topcoat to protect your color.
Please note: even professional nail technicians have trouble making polish last. The reason for this is: the natural nail is flexible. When it bends, the polish lifts from the nail plate. Also, natural nails will absorb water. When they do, the expand and when they dry, they contract. This can also cause polish to lift/chip away from the nail. In addition, if nails are excetionally thin... There is no fool proof method unfortunately.
HOWEVER, you can see a professional about getting a UV Gel overlay with a colored gel polish. Yes, this is a nail enhancement, but it can be layered on the natural nails without applying extensions or tips. A gel polish will last until your next appointment when it is buffed off by a professional. Guaranteed NO CHIPPING.
Beware: many discount salons offer UV Gel nails that are in fact regular acrylic. Important to note: real uv gel has NO POWDER.
ALso, polish will adhere to artificial nails much better than real nails.
I hope this helps.
