Liam Carter
Gel nail polish is a super hard-setting type of nail polish that acts almost like acrylic nails. However, gel nail polish can sometimes start to peel or chip after a few days, ruining your manicure. To prevent this, it's important to prep your nails properly before application and maintain your nails afterwards. This includes keeping your nails and cuticles hydrated with cuticle oil or hand cream, as dry nails are more likely to break, flake and chip. You should also ensure your nails are completely dry before applying gel nail polish, as water on your nails will prevent the polish from adhering correctly. After application, you can seal your tips with a top coat to prevent chips.
How to keep gel nail polish from chipping
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use a top coat | Apply a top coat to seal the tips of your nails and protect them from chipping. |
| Keep nails dry | Ensure nails are completely dry before applying gel polish and keep them dry daily. |
| Use cuticle oil | Apply cuticle oil to prevent nails from drying out and to restore moisture. |
| Buff nails | Buffing creates a texture for the polish to grip onto, preventing it from lifting. |
| Cap the edges | Run the nail polish brush along the edge of your nails to seal the polish and prevent lifting. |
| Use good quality nail polish | More expensive nail polishes usually contain more pigment, fewer potentially toxic chemicals, and better brushes. |
| Keep hands and cuticles hydrated | Apply hand or cuticle cream to prevent nails from becoming brittle and prone to chipping. |
| Keep nails short | Short nails are less likely to chip as they don't come into contact with surfaces as much. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a top coat
Using a top coat is essential to prevent chipping and prolong the life of your manicure. It is recommended to use one or two thin coats of a top coat, allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next. The top coat should be applied not only over the nail but also along the free edge of the nail, a technique known as "capping" or "sealing" the nail. This helps to strengthen the nail tips, which are the areas most prone to chipping.
It is important to choose a high-quality top coat, as low-quality products may not provide adequate protection and can lead to premature chipping. Some popular options for top coats include Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel Top Coat and Nails Inc. Extreme Long Wear Top Coat, which offer a sleek, shiny finish and quick-drying formulas.
To further enhance the durability of your manicure, it is advisable to reapply the top coat every three to four days. This helps to keep the colour fresh and glossy while providing additional protection against chips and snags. However, it is important not to reapply the top coat too frequently, as excessive layers can lead to polish build-up that may start to peel away.
In addition to using a top coat, maintaining proper nail care is crucial. This includes keeping your nails and cuticles hydrated with cuticle oil or cream, as dry nails are more prone to breakage, flaking, and chipping. It is also recommended to wear rubber gloves when doing household chores, such as washing dishes, to minimise contact with water and harsh chemicals that can cause nail polish to lift or chip.
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Keep nails and cuticles hydrated
Keeping your nails and cuticles hydrated is essential for preventing gel nail polish from chipping. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
Firstly, it is important to prep your nails properly before applying gel nail polish. This includes pushing back and trimming your cuticles, as well as buffing your natural nails to create a texture for the polish to grip onto. Make sure your nails are completely dry before applying any polish, as water on your nails can prevent the polish from adhering correctly. Soaking your nails in water before or after application can cause the nail plates to expand, and when your nails dry and shrink, it can cause the polish to pull away, leading to cracks, peeling, or chipping.
Next, use a sticky, rubbery base coat, and apply your colour polish in thin, even layers. Avoid using quick-drying polish as it is more prone to chipping. Thick coats tend to chip more easily, so it is better to apply two to three thin coats, allowing each layer to dry completely before adding the next.
After applying your colour polish, remember to cap your edges by running the nail polish brush along the free edge of your nail. This helps to seal the polish and prevent it from lifting.
Finally, finish with a top coat. Apply a small layer around the tip of the nail first, and then once that is dry, cover the whole nail. This will give the tips of your nails more strength and help prevent chips. Apply one or two thin coats, and again, remember to cap the edges.
By following these steps, you will help keep your nails and cuticles hydrated, which is key to preventing gel nail polish from chipping.
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Prepare nails properly
Preparing your nails properly is key to preventing gel nail polish from chipping. Start by washing your hands with an antibacterial soap to get rid of any bacteria, dust, or debris. You can also use a nail brush to "paint" isopropyl alcohol (75% or higher) onto your nails to bring them to the proper pH level. Make sure your nails are completely dry before applying any polish.
Next, push back and trim your cuticles. You can use a cuticle cream or oil, but be sure to let it sink in completely and avoid touching anything with your hands afterward. You don't want any oil or debris to accumulate on your nails, as this will create a poor base for the polish.
Buff your nails to create a texture for the polish to grip onto. A buffing block will help you achieve the right texture. If your nails aren't buffed properly, the polish won't have anything to hold onto and will lift more quickly.
Finally, cleanse your nails with a product like Prep & Wipe and dehydrate your nail plate. This will ensure that your natural nails are free of any dirt or oil residue, allowing the gel polish to adhere properly.
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Apply polish effectively
To apply gel nail polish effectively, it is important to follow a few key steps. Firstly, make sure your nails are completely dry before applying any polish. Soaking your nails in water before or after application can cause the nail plates to expand, and when your nails dry and shrink, it could pull the polish away, causing cracks and chips.
Secondly, always prep your nails properly. Push back and trim your cuticles, and buff your nails to create a texture for the polish to grip onto. Remove any dirt, oil, or lotion residue on your nails, as this will prevent the gel polish from adhering properly. You can also apply isopropyl alcohol to each nail bed to bring your nail to the proper pH level and eliminate any remaining dust and debris.
Next, when applying the polish, opt for thin, even layers rather than thick coats, as these tend to chip more easily. Apply at least 2-3 coats, allowing each layer to dry completely before adding the next. Cap your edges by running the nail polish brush along the edge of your nails to seal the polish and prevent it from lifting.
Finally, finish with a top coat. Apply a small layer around the tip of the nail first, and then cover the whole nail. You can add a few layers of the top coat for extra protection.
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Maintain your manicure
To maintain your manicure and prevent chipping, it's important to keep your nails and cuticles hydrated. Apply cuticle oil or cream to your nails and cuticles every other day or as often as possible. This will restore moisture and help prevent chipping and splitting. You can also use hand cream to keep your hands and nails moisturised.
Avoid harsh, alcohol-laden hand washes and always moisturise after washing or sanitising your hands. Wear rubber gloves when doing household chores, especially when washing dishes, to protect your nails from excess water and harsh chemicals.
Apply a new layer of top coat every three to four days to keep the colour fresh and glossy, and to prevent chips. Be sure to cap or seal the free edge of your nail with the top coat to help the polish stick stronger and make it less likely to chip or peel.
If you're using gel nail polish, make sure your nails are completely dry before application. Soaking your nails in water before or after applying gel polish can cause the nail plates to expand, and when your nails dry and shrink, it could pull the polish away, causing cracks, peeling, or chipping.
To further protect your manicure, try to avoid activities that could damage your nails. For example, type with the pads of your fingers instead of the tips of your nails.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to keep gel nail polish from chipping. Firstly, you should make sure your nails are completely dry before applying the gel polish. You should also cap or seal the free edge of your nail to help the polish stick stronger and make it less likely to chip.
Before applying gel nail polish, make sure there are no creams or lotions on your nails. Apply the gel polish in thin, even layers, and finish with a top coat.
To remove gel nail polish, file the top coat off with a nail file, then soak a cotton ball in pure acetone and place it on your nail. Wrap tinfoil around it and let your nails soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Finally, use an orange-wood stick to push the polish off gently.
