Taking care of manicured nails involves several steps to prolong the life of your manicure and maintain healthy nails. Here's how:
Dos for Manicured Nail Care
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Opt for Waterless Manicures: Water can cause the nail plate to expand and contract, potentially leading to polish chipping. A waterless manicure minimizes this risk.
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Refresh Your Topcoat Regularly: Apply a fresh layer of topcoat every two days. This helps seal the polish, prevents chipping, and adds shine.
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Wear Gloves: Protect your manicure by wearing gloves when washing dishes, cleaning, or gardening. Harsh chemicals and prolonged water exposure can damage the polish and dehydrate your nails.
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Use Cuticle Oil: Apply cuticle oil daily, ideally multiple times a day. Cuticle oil keeps the skin around your nails hydrated and promotes healthy nail growth. Healthy cuticles also help your manicure last longer by preventing peeling around the nail edges.
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Choose Long-Wearing Polish: Opt for gel polish or other long-wearing formulas designed to resist chipping and wear.
Don'ts for Manicured Nail Care
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Avoid Certain Foods and Spices: Highly pigmented foods and spices like turmeric and curry can stain your manicure, especially lighter colors. Wear gloves when handling these ingredients.
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Limit Long, Hot Baths: Prolonged exposure to hot water can weaken the polish and dehydrate your nails, leading to chipping and peeling.
General Nail Care Tips
- Keep Nails Hydrated: In addition to cuticle oil, use hand cream regularly to maintain overall nail and hand hydration.
- Avoid Picking or Biting: Picking at your manicure or biting your nails will cause damage and shorten the lifespan of your polish.
- File Nails Regularly: Gently file your nails to maintain their shape and prevent snags that can lead to breakage and polish chipping.
- Use a Gentle Nail Polish Remover: When it's time to remove your polish, use an acetone-free remover, as acetone can be harsh and drying.
By following these tips, you can keep your manicured nails looking their best for longer.
