Fresh gel nails. So great. So great, in fact, that you must send a pic to your group chat, type with index finger only, and high five anyone in sight. Yes, a new gel mani means all eyes on your fingertips, so keep ‘em staring your way beyond the two-week mark with our expert guide to longer lasting gels. *I’m typing this with freshly painted fingertips, and I see the gal beside me staring.
By Rachel Spedding
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1 Protect your gels
Like ten small children atop your fingertips, those nails of yours need some mothering. From day-to-day damage, to the chemicals lurking in cleaning products, overexposure to the strong stuff will affect your manicure. The polish is tough – that’s thanks to the UV lamp curing – but nothing is invincible, despite how you feel three tequilas down. Invest in great rubber gloves (or sack off the housework entirely).
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2 Feed your nails
Gels need daily maintenance, so like those multiple cacti kicking around your millennial bedroom (me), you’ll need to nourish. Treat your cuticles with conditioning oil each and every day – twice. Vanessa Williams, Nails Inc’s Head Technician explains; “loose, dry skin around your cuticles will instantly compromise the finish of your manicure and could lead to peeling. “A conditioning oil like Nails Inc Superfood Cuticle Oil, £15, will work wonders."
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3 Don't think about peeling
Tempted – I know – but don’t even think about peeling. Keep a pot of nail glue on your desk, in your bag, by your bed (weekend life), and If your polish starts to lift, apply a little glue beneath, and hold the gel in place until it’s secure. Don’t, Williams explains, “pick at it. This is hugely damaging to the natural nail surface below”. Peel at your own peril, the white flakey situ beneath shall be your karma.
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4 Need-to-knows
A few extra nuggets of wondrous info to keep those nails in tact:
Opt for a lighter shade of polish – ‘chips’ (should you get ‘em) will be more discreet, as will scuffs from the daily grind. Snack buying is hefty work.
Add your own top coat, after around a week, to seal in the gel and protect that polish for even longer.
Instead of removal and a whole new manicure, try filling in your nails. We hate that grow out. Just don’t succumb to it.
With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Discover amazing salons in your area.
FAQs
How can you make your gel manicure last longer?
You can extend the life of your gel manicure by protecting your nails from daily damage, wearing rubber gloves for housework, and avoiding exposure to harsh chemicals. Adding a top coat after about one week also helps seal in the gel and keep the polish looking fresh.
What should you do if your gel polish starts to lift?
Apply a little nail glue under the lifted gel and hold it in place until it feels secure. Avoid peeling the gel, as picking or peeling causes significant damage to your natural nail surface and can lead to flaking.
How often should you use cuticle oil on gel nails?
For best results, apply conditioning oil to your cuticles twice daily. Nourishing your cuticles each day keeps the skin healthy, prevents dry skin around the nails, and helps your manicure last longer without peeling.
Which gel nail shade helps hide chips and scuffs best?
Opt for a lighter shade of polish to make chips and everyday scuffs less noticeable. Lighter colours help disguise imperfections, so your gel manicure looks flawless even with small marks from daily activities.
Is it better to fill in or remove gel nails when they grow out?
Filling in your nails is a good alternative to full removal and a new manicure. This technique helps disguise the grow-out at the base and lets you enjoy your gel manicure for longer without starting from scratch.