HOW TO MAKE A MANICURE LAST, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

Whether you've invested your hard-earned cash in a pricey salon gel manicure or invested your precious free time in an at-home DIY paint job, it's totally understandable to want to get a little longevity out of your freshly polished nails. 

First, consider what type of polish makes sense for your needs: Regular polish tends to last from five to seven days, making it ideal for specific occasions. Gel polish, on the other hand, is great for a longer-term wear time, as it can last for up to two to three weeks. Acrylics and other nail extensions are even more durable and can be worn for three weeks to a month, depending on natural nail growth. "If someone's manicures chip quickly, there might be two potential reasons," says nail expert Jin Soon Choi, who is also the founder of an eponymous polish brand and a chain of New York City spas. It could be from "paper thin, weak nails. In this case, they can try taking biotin, vitamin E and protein supplements orally, as well as applying a nail strengthener to promote stronger nails. Or, it could be from an incorrectly applied manicure."

Bougeoir consulted a panel of pro nail experts for their top tips on making a manicure last. Read on for their insights.

MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE
Nobody likes dry hands, and that includes your nails. To maximize a manicure, keep hands moisturized and shielded from the elements. For example, Choi says, wear gloves while doing household chores, like washing dishes or using harsh cleaning products.
Protection against environmental factors is key, too. "Apply sunscreen to protect your hands from the sun, and moisturize regularly to keep your skin and nails hydrated," she adds. (This is also a helpful routine to ward off signs of aging, like dark spots and skin laxity, in the long run.)

"If you're traveling, chlorine from pools, salty sea water and sun exposure can dry out your nails, making your manicure or pedicure become dull and chip easily," says Amy Ling Lin, the founder of New York City nail salon and polish brand Sundays. "Avoid soaking your nails too long in water (especially sea salt and chlorine water) as this wears down the polish. Always be sure to wash and moisturize after taking a swim."

Glosslab founder Rachel Apfel Glass adds that moisturizing starts from the inside, too. "Drink tons of water. That helps with skin and nail health, in addition to moisturizing from the outside," she says, noting that nail strengthening products are helpful to use in-between manicures.

MAKE SURE TO PREP PROPERLY
Just like primer preps skin for a flawless makeup application, the secret to a long-lasting gel manicure starts with the base coat. "When applying a gel manicure, we look to dehydrate the nail and nail area as much as possible because any form of moisture — moisturizer, oil or anything — will cause the gel to not stay as long," Glass says. A dehydrated nail helps polish bind better and last longer, whether it's regular or gel polish. 

Make Top Coating Your BFF
With regular polish, Choi says one of the most common mistakes people make when doing their own manicures is skipping a base and topcoat. This leads to especially poor results when using older polishes and strongly pigmented ones. "A long-lasting base and topcoat are essential to help nail polish adhere better and to protect the nails from staining," she explains. "High-quality products, will ensure your manicure lasts longer and maintains a high shine.

Apply a top coat every three days to ensure your nail polish stay intact and prevent your nail colour from chipping or fading. Regular hand washing is a must in a lot of cases for hygenic reasons which might explain why a lot of nail polishes start to chip or fade after three days. Top Coats give your nails a long-lasting gel manicure, from a high-shine (or gorgeous matte) finish to offering a layer of protection to your nails. Top Coat helps to prevent chips and scratches to your gel polish, shielding your nails to ensure your gel manicure looks great and lasts longer.