beauty addict

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Top hairstylists, makeup artists, and beauty gurus answer your questions.

Q: How can I keep my nail polish from chipping?

There are many factors that determine the wear of your nail polish. If you have thin, flimsy nails, use them as screwdrivers, or frequently immerse them in water or chemicals, your polish won’t last very long. That said, there are several ways to make your polish last longer. First, before you apply your basecoat, make sure your nails are properly cleaned. That includes swiping them with nail-polish remover, pure acetone, or vinegar to remove moisture and oils, which repel polish. Next, apply a good-quality basecoat, such as Creative Nail Design Stickey basecoat, and follow with two thin layers of non-quick-dry polish (if you apply one thick coat or use a quick-drying formula, it’s more likely that the polish will peel right off). For a hard, shiny, and lasting finish, use a good-quality topcoat (my favorites are Creative Nail Design Super Shiney, Qtica Extending, and Seche Vite). Whatever you do, don’t use your topcoat as a basecoat or vice versa—basecoats are designed to adhere to the natural nail, while topcoats are meant to stick to polish. And finally, reapply a topcoat every two to three days to extend the life of your manicure.

Jessica Zastoupil is a certified nail technician, instructor, and acrylic competitor. She currently manages the nail department at the Solimar Wellness Spa in Eagan, Minnesota.

Photo credit: Anita Patterson Peppers

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