Is there anything more annoying than a chip in your freshly painted manicure? We think not. Especially when it happens time and time again. If this is a situation you find yourself in on a regular basis then chances are you’re missing out on some major mani-maintenance tips. We sat down with Tima Reshad, nail guru and founder of Notting Hill nail bar Coco Nails, to find out what causes the dreaded chip. ‘The right aftercare can go a long way to making your manicure last much longer,’ explains Tima. Combine that with some savvy damage-limitation tricks and you could be chip free and laughing for weeks…
By Rebecca Hoffnung
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1 Load up on cuticle oil
Think cuticle oil is just for professional nail treatments? Think again. According to Tima it's the missing link in your post-mani care regime. 'Use it regulalry at home and you'll find it prolongs the life of your manicure as well as hydrating your cuticles.' Although your nail technician will always do this after your appointment, the moisturizing ingredients can quickly rub off and your newly painted nails will be at risk of drying out. '‘It’s wise to invest in a bottle to keep at home, and apply it liberally in the morning and before bed so it can fully soak into the nail and the benefits can take effect,’ explains Tima. Keeping nails topped up with cuticle oil will keep them strong and healthy, which in turn helps to avoid cracks and chipped polish’.
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2 Top up on topcoat
Nothing beats staring down at shiny, just-painted nails, so it’s a real bore when they start to fade less than a week after you’ve had them done. ‘Reapplying top coat every other day after your appointment will go a long way to keeping them looking just done,' says Tima. This tip does come with a warning: 'go easy on the application and keep it light as too much polish can lead to bubbling, which can cause your polish to peel prematurely. Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat is the king of all top coats, and will give you that shiny, newly-painted salon feeling at home.
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3 Pick a great nail technician
This may seem obvious, but picking the right nail technician could be the difference between a great long-lasting manicure, and a disappointing starts-peeling-after-2-days manicure. Do you research, and try to pick a technician who has good communication skills, and will listen to and understand your specific needs. If you regularly get gel nails, an insider's tip is to avoid having them taken off with an electric nail buffer. In fact, if your technician tries to use one to remove your gel nails, that should be your signal to get packing! These hardwearing electric tools should only be used when removing tougher acrylic nails, as they can easily strip off the top layer of your nail, making them weak and prone to breakage during your next manicure. Although the length of your mani also depends on several other factors such as the overall strength of your natural nail, a great technician should be able to recognise what your nails need to grow and get stronger – even if that means trimming them down and starting from scratch.