Manicures are an essential part of any good grooming regimen. Not only can regular manicures help strengthen and protect the nail, but they keep the cuticles in shape as well; plus, a set of freshly polished nails always enhances your look.
Still, while a manicure can help you look well put together, wouldn’t it be great if you could get past the first week without chipping them? Here are some tips to help you save your nails and make your manicure last.
No Biting: Biting and picking your finger nails are all habits that are sure to ruin your manicure and leave your talons looking tacky. Plus, picking and biting not only lead to various nail infections, but according to ABC health correspondent Dr. Richard Besser, all of the germs and dirt you come in contact with throughout the day (from touching E coli-laden computers, telephones and door knobs) go promptly into your mouth the minute you put your hands up to your face to bite your nails; yuck! Needless to say, ceasing to pick and bite at your nails will not only preserve your manicure, but it will keep icky illness inducing microbes from entering your system.
Use a Clear Coat: Applying a clear top coat every two days is certain to help to stave of chipping. Plus, some top coats, such as Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails Strengthening Top Coat perform double duty by acting as a strengthening agent to the actual nail, and protecting the polish, this way both your nails and your manicure will be protected from damage.
Wear Your Gloves: Wearing rubber gloves before dipping your hands into water will not only greatly preserve the life of your manicure, but shielding your nails from something as damaging as dirty dishwater will keep your hands feeling smooth and looking soft as well.
Go Nude: While dark colors can make a dramatic statement, wearing a lighter color always looks chic and stylish; and lighter, more nude tones (try ‘Sheer Bliss’ by Essie or ‘Swedish Nude’ by OPI) won’t show the wear and tear nearly as much as say red or purple would. Plus, lighter tones elongate and slenderize the hands and nails whereas super dark colors can make the hands appear short and stubby. So save the scarlet nails for Christmas time and go nude with your nails from day to day.
Erika Thomas - Erika Thomas is a Los Angeles based freelance writer. She has a BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from California State ...
