5 Secrets to Give Yourself a Salon-Quality Manicure at Home
If you're going to take the time to adorn your fingers and toes, be sure your handiwork can go the distance.
Photo: Jonathan Storey/Getty Images
1. "Polishes continue to dry over time, which makes them turn brittle. Every night, rub a drop of cuticle oil, like Essie's Apricot, around the nail and on its surface to keep the skin and enamel moisturized. This helps the polish stay flexible, so it won't crack."
—Tom Bachik, L'Oréal Paris global nail artist
2. "Wait 60 seconds after each coat of polish—including the base coat—before applying thenext one. If you don't allow the solvents in the formula to evaporate, the enamel won't set well, which increases the chance of chipping." — Deborah Lippmann, manicurist and founder of Deborah Lippmann nail products
3. "It's better to apply two thin coats of polish than one thick one, which won't dry well and will more likely peel off." — Deborah Lippmann
4. "Before you polish, swipe the surface of each nail with rubbing alcohol to get rid of any oils. That's the most important thing you can do to make your manicure last. Lots of people use polish remover, but many removers contain moisturizing ingredients, which can block polish adhesion." — Tom Bachik
5. "To fix a smudge, dip the pad of the index finger on your opposite hand in polish remover. Count to three, so your finger isn't too wet, and then use your finger like a brush to pull the rim of the smudge forward. If you need to touch up the enamel, wait for the remover to dry. Then dip your brush in polish, wipe off 90 percent of it, place the brush on the smudged area, and pull it toward the tip." — Deborah Lippmann
2. "Wait 60 seconds after each coat of polish—including the base coat—before applying thenext one. If you don't allow the solvents in the formula to evaporate, the enamel won't set well, which increases the chance of chipping." — Deborah Lippmann, manicurist and founder of Deborah Lippmann nail products
3. "It's better to apply two thin coats of polish than one thick one, which won't dry well and will more likely peel off." — Deborah Lippmann
4. "Before you polish, swipe the surface of each nail with rubbing alcohol to get rid of any oils. That's the most important thing you can do to make your manicure last. Lots of people use polish remover, but many removers contain moisturizing ingredients, which can block polish adhesion." — Tom Bachik
5. "To fix a smudge, dip the pad of the index finger on your opposite hand in polish remover. Count to three, so your finger isn't too wet, and then use your finger like a brush to pull the rim of the smudge forward. If you need to touch up the enamel, wait for the remover to dry. Then dip your brush in polish, wipe off 90 percent of it, place the brush on the smudged area, and pull it toward the tip." — Deborah Lippmann
NEXT STORY
