The manicure is one of those luxuries that we like to give ourselves , and after these weeks of confinement, who does not dream of sitting in her favorite salon (through a screen) to take care of his hands and ‘make up’ them.
There is also the option of pampering or make yourself at home beautifully. Whether you choose one or the other option, there is nothing that bothers you more than, after a few hours, when you take your mobile from your bag or touch a zipper, the effort that you have made economic or manual goes to waste.
We have some tricks so that this does not happen and you can make your manicure last at least 7 days.
1. Short and oval to make them last
They break less if at the time of filing we choose a slightly oval or round shape respecting the corners straight, since it is the easiest to maintain.
The key to not breaking is always filing in the same direction, a gesture that we usually do wrong. And if you polish your nails, do it with a fine file, this will protect the layers more.
2. Do not immerse them in water
It is the eternal doubt. It seems that when wetting the nails, they expand, but when they dry they return to their size, so that if you have already enameled them, the result can be damaged. To avoid all this, skip the water and use a cuticle softener, which works great.
3. Always clean the nail before
Essie Weingarten, expert in manicure and creator of Essie enamels, always recommends it. “If there is any residue on the nail, either cream, oil or water, it will not allow the enamel to adhere well.” In addition, you should use lint-free cotton and an acetone nail polish remover.
4. Base prevents enamel from chipping
It is one of those essential cosmetics, it protects the nail from the pigments of the enamel, preventing them from turning yellow, and it also allows the color to last longer. Apply it all over the nail, including the edge where you have filed and leaving a minimum margin free without staining the cuticle. There are protective bases with whitening, strengthening, nourishing properties. Choose one of them and thus you will fulfill more functions at the same time.
5. Always two layers and wait a bit between them
It is one of the most common mistakes we all make. The two layers please the color to be seen more intensely. Sometimes if it is not very watery. The thicker the topcoat, the more likely it is that some part will not dry well because of the bubbles that form and will be damaged by rubbing something. And it is essential to wait between one and the other, the rush kills the end result.
6. The importance of painting the border
Did you know that by doing this simple trick you protect your nail from water? The best experts do not forget to put base, enamel and topcoat on the outer line of the nail (what you file). This gesture offers extra protection, since it isolates the nail from the water, one of the main causes of the manicure lasting less.
7. Paint your nails in order
It is the key to achieve a happy ending, put the second layer of enamel starting with the big toe and ending in the little finger. The reason? That if you start with the fat man, you have more time for him to notice while you finish the rest of the fingers. The thumb is usually the nail that is more often damaged by impatience.
8. The secant, essential for those who are in a hurry
This is the best option so that, at least, you are not the one who spoils the manicure as soon as you leave the salon. These are oils with the capacity to dry the enamel that act in seconds. If you prefer it in traditional format, with a brush, you should know that you can apply it every other day while the color lasts. You will revive the shine and lengthen the life expectancy of the manicure.
9. Avoid heat sources
It seems very basic but it is important that in the twelve hours after the enameling, your hands do not come into contact with anything that is very hot, for example, and you do not do the typical gesture of blowing, your breath also transmits heat . Even if you feel the enamel dry, it can take a whole day for it to really dry, especially if you don’t use a drying topcoat.
10. Use cuticle oil at night
Cuticle formulas often contain ingredients such as vitamin E and jojoba oil, which can penetrate the nail through the base.
What if misfortune happens? Don’t worry, the arrangement is simple:
1. Polish the nail a little on the part where the enamel has come off.
2. Apply a very thin layer of the same enamel on the entire nail. Let it dry for a couple of minutes.
3. Put on a topcoat layer.
