Seriously tough topcoat?

mildred1978

I wonder whether anyone knows of a seriously tough topcoat? I love OPI polish but find that no matter what I do it chips within a couple of days. I've tried their 'chip skip', base coats and top coats but nothing works

I'm a SAHM so not doing anything particularly hazardous to my nails. I tend to do them once a week and would love for them to last a bit longer. Anyone got any tried and tested tips?

(I'm not interested in having gelish or similar long lasting Polished applied as I like to change colours when I want to).

TIA

adelight

Hmm i can;t think of a particularly amazing top coat tbh. I usually paint top coat right over the edge of my nail and a bit on the underside too and it helps stop chips on the ends happening for an extra day or two.

Youdontseeme

I cant remember what it is called but the Sally Hansen on in the silver bottle (has diamond in the name) is the best both on value and on performance, I have found, also agree with the poster above always take it over the tip of the nail.

You can usually pick it up in Wilkos for around £3/4

AbbieCadabra

seche vite or nails inc caviar top coat for me & a good cuticle/nail oil 2-3 times a day keeps your nails flexible/strong & should prolong your polish wear, i use nsi nurture oil.

starrystarry

Seche vite is excellent, but not cheap. My personal favourite is the Sally Hansen Insta-dri Anti-chip topcoat (red bottle). Sainsburys sell it for approx £6 but I've picked it up cheaper on ebay from time to time.

Adelight's tip about painting over the tip of the nail and onto the underside definitely helps. Also make sure you prep your nails well before you start painting them, buff them if necessary and always ensure your nails are scrupulously clean and dry. I scrub my nails with soap and a nail brush to make sure there's no trace of oils/handcream etc, then rinse them really well to get rid of any soap residue.

littlereen

Barry M topcoat is my favourite - cheap and keeps my polish lasting 5-7 days without chips, especially if I use as a basecoat first too!

mildred1978

Thanks for the suggestions. I tend to keep my nails quite short, so I don't think I could get under them, but I'll try painting the edge and see if that helps. I don't use hand cream and apply cuticle oil every night already. Perhaps I need to use it more in winter, I don't know.

Mingle

I've always heard that if you put oil/cream on your painted nails it causes them to chip quicker- the oils break down the varnish?

To make sure mine lasts I put a new layer of topcoat on each day. Always remember to use thin coats because thicker ones chip off REALLY quickly.

I find OPI chips really easily too- it's such a shame because some of their colours are amazing!

suki1964

Sally Hanson Double duty.

Always do a brush stroke along the edge of your nail before doing the top and apply every other day

nikki2804

Lumos base and top coat are amazing when used together!

jessicamb

agree with lumos, best one I've seen