If you're continually dealing with chipping nail polish, don't be so quick to blame the salon — or the polish. "Painting nails is a real science; every step has to be done perfectly to ensure the longest lasting application," says Hipp. Sunshine agrees, adding that polish should be applied in thin layers without touching the cuticle area and capping the free edge. "Capping the free edge protects the polish from wearing off the tips," she says. "If polish touches the cuticle and dries, it could cause the polish to peel off."
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The nail polish is past its prime
Have any nail polishes lingering in your beauty cabinet that have been around for a decade (or, gasp, two)? Nail polishes are only good for about two years — after that, it's best to throw them out. If, for some reason, there's not an expiration date on the nail polish, Hipp recommends using your best judgment. "If it looks like it's been sitting on the shelf for a while, it probably has," she says. "This is why I prefer to purchase polish in a heavy-traffic area, ensuring the product has recently been replenished and hasn't sat on the shelf for too long."
"If you're really into sports, the gym or are just very active, you've got to expect your manicure will take a beating," says Hipp. If this sounds like you, no biggie — just choose a clear gloss or a nude shade that minimizes chips and nicks. "If you really want to show off, a couple coats of chunky glitter will stay put through almost anything!" adds Hipp.
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Your nail beds are oily
As strange as it sounds, this totally can happen. "Some of us hold oil in our skin, even in our nails, which results in oily nail beds," says Saulsbery. "This causes chipping at the bottom of the nail plate." She recommends finding a good ridge filler or nail strengthener and working them into your beauty routine to keep your nails in tip top shape 24/7.
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You cook with coconut oil
No, you don't have to quit your coconut oil obsession, but you may want to put on gloves when you pour it or cook with it. "Nail polish and coconut oil just don't get along — and the same is true of water," says Hipp. "On the other hand, cuticles love some extra moisture in between polish changes, so keep hands healthy and hydrated with a non-coconut oil based lotion."
