|
Post by maryland on Apr 14, 2019 13:02:56 GMT
I used to always paint my nails, but was guilty of wearing chipped nail polish for too long. It chips after just a day or two, and I wasn't sure if it was bad for your nails to use nail polish remover every few days. So I stopped painting my nails for 6 months (and miss it!).
I feel like I am in the minority when it comes to painting my own nails. I just can't afford to get them done, but would like them to look as good as I can for at home manicure! Any tips or tricks that you use to help maintain your polish?
And next question, what are your favorite nail colors for spring/what's on your nails (if you are currently wearing nail polish)?
|
|
|
Post by pjaye on Apr 14, 2019 14:42:50 GMT
Natural nails are flexible and it's that flexibility that is the main cause of nail polish chipping. The nail bends, but the nail polish layer doesn't, so it cracks and then chips. Even with the perfect manicure, if you use your nails as tools or put them in water constantly or are aren't gentle with your hands, it will still chip.
I have no tips...that's why I have a layer of acrylic on my nails because it means the polish never chips. I'm currently wearing OPI Put It In Neutral: (not my photo)
|
|
|
Post by LisaDV on Apr 14, 2019 15:03:13 GMT
Even with the perfect manicure, if you use your nails as tools or put them in water constantly or are aren't gentle with your hands, it will still chip. I have my hands in water and even though I shouldn't, use my nails as tools, so I have lots of issues with chipping polish. I tend to only paint on occasion due to this. When I've actually painted my nails, I try to at least not use them as tools. I think I get the best results with Sally Hansen, Zoya and OPI polish. Then good results with Essie but doesn't seem to be quite as long as the others. I start with the buffing blocks and a good base coat. My polish isn't at this house, but I know my favorite basecoat was found via the Peas. I think my top coat is OPI - I have a gloss and a matte, but I'm not sure I love it.
|
|
trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Jul 2, 2014 22:14:02 GMT
|
Post by trollie on Apr 14, 2019 15:32:36 GMT
I use Color Street Nail Strips. I am a consultant. This is my current manicure, 8 days old. It is important to use our clear as day polish strips over them to keep them from chipping. These are 100% nail polish strips that you apply yourself. Good for me because it is economical and I don't like making appointments. Salon quality look with lots of designs to choose from. I am happy to send you a free accent nail sample if you would like to try them. Just DM me. I hadn't worn polish in nearly 20 years, but when I saw all the fun designs, I fell in love! MY BEST POLISHING TIPS: Make sure your nails are clean and dry. I use Dawn dish soap to wash my hands before using polish. Wipe your nails with an alcohol pad and then apply polish. You don't want any moisturizer on your hands when applying. Push back cuticles if needed. Allow your nails to dry/cure before submerging then in water or applying lotion. Use a clear top coat to protect your manicure. ETA - There are tons and tons of manicure tutorials on youtube if you wanna go down that rabbit hole!
|
|
|
Post by cmpeter on Apr 14, 2019 16:32:23 GMT
I have the best luck with the Essie gel like top coat. It’s in the white bottle that’s sort of twisted looking. It’s fircregular poludh not gel. Makes my polish dry very quickly and gives a super great high gloss shine. If I’m wearing traditional polish, I go about four days before the tips start wearing off, and then I change my polish. I don’t have a chipping issue.
I’m currently doing shellac manicures because of my work travel though. I needed something that was more long lasting.
|
|
Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,004
Jun 26, 2014 8:22:26 GMT
|
Post by Gennifer on Apr 14, 2019 16:33:07 GMT
I have very dry nail beds, so I don’t have issues with chipping. I can easily go a week without chipping, and have gone as long as two. I swear by Zoya polishes, and recently purged my collection to get rid of every other brand. The wear I get from Zoya is so much better. I swipe Zoya’s nail polish remover over my nails first, to pull off any dust or oils. (Maybe acetone would be better if you’re not as dry as me?) I don’t bother with a base coat... just a couple of coats of the polish, and then a quick-drying top coat. I like HKGirl’s Glisten & Glo, but will also use Seche Vite... it seems to go thick faster than the G&G, and when I thin it (using Restore) I get a lot of shrinkage. I’m wearing Agnes right now.
|
|
TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,775
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
|
Post by TankTop on Apr 14, 2019 16:43:58 GMT
I am not a consultant. I am not selling anything.
I swear by ColorStreet. My nails have never looked so good. Even salon gel would crack on me.
I love how inexpensive they are. I can get 2 full manicures out of one set. I cover with clear polish every few days.
Game changer for me!
|
|
Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,544
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
|
Post by Just T on Apr 14, 2019 16:49:51 GMT
I am not a consultant. I am not selling anything. I swear by ColorStreet. My nails have never looked so good. Even salon gel would crack on me. I love how inexpensive they are. I can get 2 full manicures out of one set. I cover with clear polish every few days. Game changer for me! I'm intrigued. I've not heard of Color Street before. How do you make sure they fit your nails? Do you have to cut them? Sorry if that is a dumb question! I love my nails polished, but polish does NOT stay on my nails for more than a few days, even when I use good polish, base coat, etc. so I only polish them for special occasions. I would love to try this Color Street stuff.
|
|
trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Jul 2, 2014 22:14:02 GMT
|
Post by trollie on Apr 14, 2019 16:59:51 GMT
I am not a consultant. I am not selling anything. I swear by ColorStreet. My nails have never looked so good. Even salon gel would crack on me. I love how inexpensive they are. I can get 2 full manicures out of one set. I cover with clear polish every few days. Game changer for me! I'm intrigued. I've not heard of Color Street before. How do you make sure they fit your nails? Do you have to cut them? Sorry if that is a dumb question! I love my nails polished, but polish does NOT stay on my nails for more than a few days, even when I use good polish, base coat, etc. so I only polish them for special occasions. I would love to try this Color Street stuff. DM me and I can send you a free twosie sample. There are different sized strips in each set, you just match it up to which finger you think it would fit best on. There are 2 strips of 8 different sized nails in each set. I also get two manicures out of each set.
|
|
|
Post by gale w on Apr 14, 2019 17:02:30 GMT
I am not a consultant. I am not selling anything. I swear by ColorStreet. My nails have never looked so good. Even salon gel would crack on me. I love how inexpensive they are. I can get 2 full manicures out of one set. I cover with clear polish every few days. Game changer for me! I'm intrigued. I've not heard of Color Street before. How do you make sure they fit your nails? Do you have to cut them? Sorry if that is a dumb question! I love my nails polished, but polish does NOT stay on my nails for more than a few days, even when I use good polish, base coat, etc. so I only polish them for special occasions. I would love to try this Color Street stuff. There are a few good youtube videos about how to apply them but you kind of trim them off after applying (there's also a technique that lets you do two nails with each polish strip). I bought some but I only paint my toenails so I'm waiting for better weather before I try them out.
|
|
Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,544
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
|
Post by Just T on Apr 14, 2019 17:02:49 GMT
I'm intrigued. I've not heard of Color Street before. How do you make sure they fit your nails? Do you have to cut them? Sorry if that is a dumb question! I love my nails polished, but polish does NOT stay on my nails for more than a few days, even when I use good polish, base coat, etc. so I only polish them for special occasions. I would love to try this Color Street stuff. DM me and I can send you a free twosie sample. There are different sized strips in each set, you just match it up to which finger you think it would fit best on. There are 2 strips of 8 different sized nails in each set. I also get two manicures out of each set. Awesome. Thank you! I will message you.
Another dumb question...how do you get two manicures from one set when there are only 16 strips?
|
|
|
Post by gar on Apr 14, 2019 17:05:33 GMT
When painting your nails ‘tip the ends’ - gently swipe the brush across the end of the free edges so that the end of the nail is painted too. Same with top coat if you use it. I like Essie’s Gel Setter top coat. Paint your nails in 3 strokes ideally- not too thick and not too thin. When you first put the polish in the nail put it a smidge back from the cuticle then sort of push it towards the cuticle so it doesn’t flood.
|
|
|
Post by gale w on Apr 14, 2019 17:06:31 GMT
DM me and I can send you a free twosie sample. There are different sized strips in each set, you just match it up to which finger you think it would fit best on. There are 2 strips of 8 different sized nails in each set. I also get two manicures out of each set. Awesome. Thank you! I will message you.
Another dumb question...how do you get two manicures from one set when there are only 16 strips?
If you're careful and do it a certain way, you can do two nails with one strip. Maybe not with all of them but with some of them. I'll see if I can find the video I watched about how to do that.
|
|
|
Post by gale w on Apr 14, 2019 17:12:14 GMT
At the beginning of this video she shows how she carefully removes the end so she can reuse the extra piece. youtu.be/ZqL-u-D51_4
|
|
trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Jul 2, 2014 22:14:02 GMT
|
Post by trollie on Apr 14, 2019 17:13:31 GMT
DM me and I can send you a free twosie sample. There are different sized strips in each set, you just match it up to which finger you think it would fit best on. There are 2 strips of 8 different sized nails in each set. I also get two manicures out of each set. Awesome. Thank you! I will message you.
Another dumb question...how do you get two manicures from one set when there are only 16 strips?
The strips are long and are rounded on each end. If you have short nails you use one side on one nail and then use the excess on another nail. Video here. Swipe through to see whole thing.
|
|
Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,544
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
|
Post by Just T on Apr 14, 2019 17:21:46 GMT
Awesome. Thank you! I will message you.
Another dumb question...how do you get two manicures from one set when there are only 16 strips?
The strips are long and are rounded on each end. If you have short nails you use one side on one nail and then use the excess on another nail. Video here. Swipe through to see whole thing. Thank you! Now I get it. LOL
|
|
likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879
Aug 16, 2014 17:52:53 GMT
|
Post by likescarrots on Apr 14, 2019 17:55:28 GMT
Use a good strengthener as the bottom layer - I use Nailtiques formula 2+Use a good basecoat - I recommend CND Stickey Base coatUse a good topcoat - I use Seche ViteMake sure you cover the tip/edge of the nails with both the color and the Seche Vite. Make sure your color coat is still tacky when you use the Seche Vite or you will get shrinkage. As soon as you can put on the top coat without it picking up color is the best - this will take some trial before you get used to it, and it will depend on the polish formula and whether it is runny or thick, etc.
|
|
|
Post by redshoes on Apr 14, 2019 18:00:47 GMT
I like painting my own nails...my manicure usually lasts about 7-10 days. I wear rubber gloves when doing any dish work in the kitchen and that helps a lot. I use a makeup brush and acetone to clean up the edges/smears if I mess up while applying the polish. Sometimes I apply an extra top coat around day 4-5 to help it last a little longer.
|
|
scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,883
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
|
Post by scrappinmama on Apr 14, 2019 18:45:44 GMT
The only time I go in to salon is when I need vacation nails to last 2 weeks. I do my own. I like Zoya polish best. I also have good luck with Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polish. Usually my polish will last a week without chipping.
|
|
|
Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 14, 2019 18:53:06 GMT
I rarely use a base coat as I generally do French manicures or lighter color polishes. But I found a product by Zoya called "Get Even" that fills in ridges in your nails. I've been using it for that purpose and accidentally discovered it's helping my polish last longer as a by-product. So maybe all these people who do use base coats knew something I didn't all along! Lol.
|
|
TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,775
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
|
Post by TankTop on Apr 14, 2019 19:27:50 GMT
Another Color Street tip is to start with the glitter nails. I feel like they are more forgiving.
You can also gently stretch the nail strip to cover better.
I get about two weeks out of each set.
|
|
TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,775
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
|
Post by TankTop on Apr 14, 2019 19:30:24 GMT
Forgot to mention...
Put your extras back in the plastic sleeve and seal the end with your straightener to keep them from drying out.
|
|
|
Post by ameslou on Apr 14, 2019 19:33:23 GMT
I’m training for a triathlon, so am in the pool 3 days a week for a total of about 3 hours for the week (for now). I have gel on now and that lasts pretty well in the pool. But it’s a pain to get over to the salon .. how do the color street strips work with lots of water exposure?
|
|
|
Post by alexa11 on Apr 14, 2019 19:42:15 GMT
I only use Zoya remover. I also use Nailtiques as a base coat, like likescarrots. I also tip my nails like gar. I use only Zoya and OPI polishes, but did recently buy an AEngland one that I'll try next. The best thing that I've found for chipping is Zoya Sparkle Gloss. It adds just a bit of shimmer, but will "ruin" the look of a creme polish. I also add another layer of either Sally Hansen Gel Top Coat or Seche Vite. I can't tell much difference between those two as far as how long they last. The SH is thicker though. The Zoya Earth Day Exchange is going on through 4-30 if anyone needs/wants more polish.
|
|
trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Jul 2, 2014 22:14:02 GMT
|
Post by trollie on Apr 14, 2019 19:52:02 GMT
I’m training for a triathlon, so am in the pool 3 days a week for a total of about 3 hours for the week (for now). I have gel on now and that lasts pretty well in the pool. But it’s a pain to get over to the salon .. how do the color street strips work with lots of water exposure? I think they will be good with the Clear As Day top coat, however, I don't spend that much time in a pool. In your case especially, I would apply the strips and the clear strip top coat the day before swimming so they have a good amount of time to cure. I also agree with TankTop , the glitters are more forgiving. I recently had on Wing Woman. It was so pretty and went on easily. If you want a free sample, I am happy to send you one. This goes for any of the peas. Happy to send a free sample to you if you'd like to try it.
|
|
|
Post by gale w on Apr 14, 2019 20:02:34 GMT
I’m training for a triathlon, so am in the pool 3 days a week for a total of about 3 hours for the week (for now). I have gel on now and that lasts pretty well in the pool. But it’s a pain to get over to the salon .. how do the color street strips work with lots of water exposure? I think they will be good with the Clear As Day top coat, however, I don't spend that much time in a pool. In your case especially, I would apply the strips and the clear strip top coat the day before swimming so they have a good amount of time to cure. I also agree with TankTop , the glitters are more forgiving. I recently had on Wing Woman. It was so pretty and went on easily. If you want a free sample, I am happy to send you one. This goes for any of the peas. Happy to send a free sample to you if you'd like to try it. With a set like Wing woman the strips can't be used on two nails though, right? Or else you wouldn't get the design on the 2nd nail. Same with directional designs. They would be upside down, if that's a concern. Depends on the design, I guess. eta: I guess not-it actually looks like they're made to be split between two nails! Good job, Color Street!
|
|
trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Jul 2, 2014 22:14:02 GMT
|
Post by trollie on Apr 14, 2019 20:31:45 GMT
I think they will be good with the Clear As Day top coat, however, I don't spend that much time in a pool. In your case especially, I would apply the strips and the clear strip top coat the day before swimming so they have a good amount of time to cure. I also agree with TankTop , the glitters are more forgiving. I recently had on Wing Woman. It was so pretty and went on easily. If you want a free sample, I am happy to send you one. This goes for any of the peas. Happy to send a free sample to you if you'd like to try it. With a set like Wing woman the strips can't be used on two nails though, right? Or else you wouldn't get the design on the 2nd nail. Same with directional designs. They would be upside down, if that's a concern. Depends on the design, I guess. eta: I guess not-it actually looks like they're made to be split between two nails! Good job, Color Street! Yes! Design on both sides of the strips!
|
|
|
Post by gar on Apr 14, 2019 20:39:19 GMT
I rarely use a base coat as I generally do French manicures or lighter color polishes. But I found a product by Zoya called "Get Even" that fills in ridges in your nails. I've been using it for that purpose and accidentally discovered it's helping my polish last longer as a by-product. So maybe all these people who do use base coats knew something I didn't all along! Lol. Base coat, as well as helping prevent staining, is about giving the polish the right surface to adhere to and therefore last longer
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on Apr 14, 2019 20:45:04 GMT
A tip I read in InStyle magazine is for very light colors, do a base coat, then a matte topcoat, then the color again. I top this with Seche Vite and my nails last about 5 days. I do this regardless of the color and it seems to help prevent chips.
Doing the dishes will kill a manicure for me. I get DH to wash and I dry, as we are waiting on a part for our dishwasher.
Also, if I do get a chip, I touch it up immediately.
|
|
tanya2
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1604
Posts: 4,423
Jun 27, 2014 2:27:09 GMT
|
Post by tanya2 on Apr 14, 2019 21:33:03 GMT
Thank you! Now I get it. LOL sorry I'm still confused about this too. there's only 16 strips - but 10 fingers. how does that get 2 manicures out of those strips? wouldn't you need 20???
|
|