Most hardwearing / least likely to chip brands of nail polish

indiepanda

Hello

I'd be interested to know what people think are the longest lasting brands of nail polish. I usually paint my toe nails a colour and do my fingernails with clear as I hate it when I paint my nails one day and then find them chipped the next day - at least with clear it doesn't show too much. But I would like to give coloured fingernails a go more often if I could find one that lasts well.

Also, any tips on making the colour last other than the obvious using a decent base and top coat would be appreciated.

thanks

Fire_Fox

My nail colour lasts longest if I paint my nails sitting up in bed right before lying down to sleep.

Gillyx

Seche Vite is a brilliant top coat.

I'm using a China Glaze no chip top coat at the moment and I quite like it

For Basecoat I love Orly Bonder.

Brands are weird, Some Rimmel are great on me, some aren't same with all brands, as formula can be different with them all. It's trial and error I find.

I love China Glaze polishes though I also try and do 3 or 4 very thin coats, means my nails look good for longer. x

belfastgirl23

On the cheap nail varnish front, Rimmel has been recommeded a lot here and I do find it lasts a bit longer than other brands. But tbh nothing really lasts long enough to make it worth the faff of painting them IMHO

starrystarry

I reckon it's more to do with how you paint them than what you paint them with. I've got some really cheap polishes that last just as long as expensive ones. If you take your time over your manicure you should get a week out of it without chipping.

SparkyG

Doing them in bed before you go to sleep works with me too, as long as you make sure they are above the duvet as you go to sleep;)

I think nail polish takes a good hour or so to harden properly, and who sits around that long not doing anything at home?:(

Make sure you take the top coat right over the edge of the nail, and run the brush sideways along the edge as well. that seems to seal the colour in better and prevent chips. I use Opi or Sally Hansen top coat, but think technique and letting them harden thoroughly is more important than brand.

Miss_Havisham

I agree with the earlier suggestion of a few very thin coats, waiting a few mins between each. Also make sure your naked nails are completely free of any oils, even from your skin, before you paint. I give them a quick wipe with nail polish remover and let it dry well before base coat etc.

I cheat with chips if I can by applying another coat mid-week. It doesn't look perfect close-up but Ok for a few days.

Miss H

mildred1978

I've discovered Gellure - a home gel polish system.

I'll never use normal polish on my fingernails again.

freyasmum

Personally my nails are never not shellacked, but your pro polishes will perform better than consumer brands. However, there are a few things that techs do differently to joanna blogs at home.

Firstly, you need to start with a clean, dry nail. Remove all traces of cuticle - the sticky, white, dead skin that is adhered to the nail plate - file the nail nicely into shape and then 'squeak' the nail with nail polish remover. 5-10 seconds each nail may sound excessive, but this minute or so will make a difference as to how long your polish will last. The natural oils in the nail plate won't allow the polish to adhere for very long.

Next, you need to use a good base coat - Lumos base and top coat are fantastic, as is CND stickey and super shiney. A good basecoat is sticky if you feel it, they don't dry and stop feeling sticky as they are designed to pull the polish onto the nail and anchor it down. You will then apply two colour coats and then a top coat.

Apply nice, thin coats as thick will chip. The exceptions are the lumos b/t - they are designed to be applied a bit thicker than you normally would. Every few days afterwards, apply another coat of topcoat. Your polish will be 'set' within 10-12 minutes, but will not be fully hardened for a few hours.

Don't polish a nail that has been soaked in water within the last hour or so. The nails are like little sponges; when soaked in water they expand and then, as the water leaves them, they shrink back down to normal size. If you polished them while the were expanded, the polish will just chip away straight afterwards.

And of course, the way you care for your manicure will have an impact on how long it lasts.

indiepanda

Thanks for all the tips everyone.

I hadn't thought of applying before bed, will have to give that a try and see how I get on - its plenty warm enough this time of year not to be putting my hands under the cover.

I suspect I am guilty of not leaving enough time between coats so will have to exercise a bit more patience and see if that helps, probably do them too thick too as I usually end up doing 2 coats rather than 3 or 4.

I've never heard of some of the base and top coat brands you recommend so will look out for those - expect I can find a supplier on line.

Really interested by the comment about a base coat needing to be sticky. I'd really only ever thought of them being there to stop my nails going yellow when I use dark colours. I've been using a OPI combined base and top coat but that dries hard - wouldn't work as a top coat otherwise, suggests I'd be better getting a separate base coat.

freyasmum

indiepanda wrote: »

Thanks for all the tips everyone.

I hadn't thought of applying before bed, will have to give that a try and see how I get on - its plenty warm enough this time of year not to be putting my hands under the cover.

I suspect I am guilty of not leaving enough time between coats so will have to exercise a bit more patience and see if that helps, probably do them too thick too as I usually end up doing 2 coats rather than 3 or 4.

I've never heard of some of the base and top coat brands you recommend so will look out for those - expect I can find a supplier on line.

Really interested by the comment about a base coat needing to be sticky. I'd really only ever thought of them being there to stop my nails going yellow when I use dark colours. I've been using a OPI combined base and top coat but that dries hard - wouldn't work as a top coat otherwise, suggests I'd be better getting a separate base coat.

You don't need to leave much time between the coats - in the salon, we polish right from the first coat on the first finger, through to the last coat on the last finger in up to five minutes.

Regarding the base, there are plenty of different types out there; some are 'treatment' bases which are for strengthening, or for ridge filling, etc but for longevity of polish you need the ones which will grab hold of the polish and won't let it go.

Re-reading my post, I would like to add that you should 'cap' the edge of the nail with each coat as well. It just finishes the look of the nail off and will also help the life of the manicure.

Last thing - try to stay away from the cuticle when you apply your polish. It'll really make a difference to any chipping. Sometimes things become so second nature, it's difficult think your way through the steps :rotfl: