The right nail prep
Before applying nail polish, baby your nails with a nail and hand care routine. This keeps your nails in good health and preps it for your nail polish sesh.
Take note that some salons dip your fingers in water to soften your skin and make the cleaning easier. However, you don't necessarily want to do this at home because it makes the nails absorb water and expand. When you've applied the paint, your nails will shrink and your nail polish won't fit. Opt to use cuticle oil instead.
Try: Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover, $6.99
Really dry your nails
Once you're done cleaning your nails, don't jump to painting right away. You've got to make sure that your nails are 100% free from the previous products you've used and oils. This ensures that the polish will hold on better to your nails. You may use acetone or go organic with a swab dipped in vinegar to dehydrate your nails. Wait until it's fully dry before you do the next step.
Try: O.P.I. Original Polish Remover, $8.95
Use a sticky basecoat
Using a good base coat protects your nails from discoloration, while also helping to strengthen your nails (which in turn minimizes breakage). Opt to use a sticky base coat because, as the name suggests, nail polish sticks to it better.
Try: SuperChic Bring It On Base Coat, $7.95
Roll instead of shake
We all do this when before we use nail polish — and yes, it helps to mix the formula and coat the brush. However, this technique actually creates bubbles in the polish, which can mar your mani and lead to chipping. Instead, roll the bottle between your palms. It's not quite as satisfying as a hearty shake, but it'll be better for you in the long run.
Image via Blanchi Costela/Moment/Getty
Avoid the cuticles and skin
Nail polish doesn't really stick to your skin — so when you go beyond the nail plate and apply some to your cuticle, you risk peeling off the polish (off the nail as well). No one's perfect, and this happens all the time — just be sure to clean it off right away with a nail cleaning brush dipped in acetone to avoid any potential peeling. Trying to keep your polish about a millimeter away from your cuticle can also help.
Try: Twinkledt Kolinsky Professional Nail Cleaning Brush Size #2, $9.99
