Industry Advice for Making Your Manicures Last Longer
We all love the feeling of a fresh manicure. Whether it’s gel, dip powder, or an exceptional traditional manicure, getting our nails done can lift up your whole week. For a traditional manicure, that’s about as long as you should expect it to last, too; a traditional mani will stay fresh for up to seven days. Gel manicures, by comparison, are usually expected to last two weeks, and dip powder manicures even longer. Of course, this is all dependent on proper care.
SNS Nails, a nail product pioneer and widely considered the dip powder king, shared with us these industry tips to get more mileage out of your manicures.
1. Easy on the Hand Sanitizer
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitizer was an alluring convenience. It’s affordable, often small enough to fit in a purse, and dries in seconds, making it a popular alternative to time-consuming hand washing. In the post-pandemic world, it seems like a necessity. Sadly, it’s not a great way to keep a manicure.
The vast majority of hand sanitizers are made with alcohol, which is the active sanitizing agent. Alcohol dehydrates anything it touches, including your nails and the polish on them. If you want to avoid dry, cracked nails and chipping nail polish, wash your hands with soap and warm water instead of hand sanitizer whenever possible.
2. Glove Up for Dishwashing
Do you insist on doing the dishes by hand? Some of us don’t have a dishwasher, or at least a working dishwasher, and some of us just prefer to do it by hand. There’s something satisfying about doing it yourself, isn’t there? Sadly, this can reduce the lifespan of your manicure.
While warm water and soap are better than hand sanitizer, we can file washing the dishes under “too much of a good thing”. Extended exposure to hot water and dish detergent can dry out your manicure and weaken your nails. The solution? Glove up! Wear rubber gloves whenever you have to wash your dishes by hand to avoid exposure.
3. Limit Coconut Oil & Hot Tubs
We all love coconut oil. It’s great for cooking, moisturization, and hair care. Coconut oil comes in many varieties, including some preparations that are more suited for personal use rather than cooking. And, of course, it’s an essential component in a wide array of moisturizing lotions.
The problem, of course, is that nail polish and coconut oil are bitter, seething enemies. Coconut oil degrades nail polish upon contact, and if you’re doing a lot of cooking with coconut oil or other activities which involve exposure of the hands to coconut oil, you’ll find your manicure weakened because of it. Of course, moisturizing is good for your cuticles, so don’t skip it; next time you shop for lotion, make sure it’s coconut oil-free.
Hot tubs as well are notorious for rushing the demise of a manicure. Limit your time soaking and keep hands out of the water as much as possible.
4. Active Types: Plan Ahead
Working out, playing sports, or engaging in rough-and-tumble outdoors activities will obviously put your nails in danger. Most of us just suck it up, accepting the fact that, if we want to stay in shape and keep up with our more physical hobbies, our manicures are going to suffer. If you’re in the habit of getting your nails done in preparation for big events or a night on the town, you probably don’t mind your polish getting scuffed up and chipped later in the week. But wouldn’t it be nice to avoid that?
If you want your mani to stay solid and lush through whatever torture you subject it to, think about colors and polish styles that do better against wear and tear. Clear polishes and nude shades will maintain their visual integrity even with some chips and cracks, and textured polishes — think glitter — will be even more resistant to minor damage.
5. Seek Quality Polish
It’s become a leading trend in the nail cosmetics industry for products to be manufactured free of harmful ingredients that may be hazardous to health, on top of resulting in nail damage. However, even though many companies strive for a healthier product, not all of them accomplish a robust polish at the same time.
At the salon, your tech may opt for the cheapest product they stock unless you request a particular brand. Some companies pride themselves on manufacturing nail polishes that not only pass the test of time, but are also free of cost-cutting, harmful ingredients. Request either SNS and OPI, the 2 industry leaders for quality for both gel and dip powders. Their products will nourish your nails instead of harming them. Remember, your nails deserve the best.
6. Follow a Healthy Diet
How you eat will affect your nail health. A balanced healthy diet with plenty of protein will help on the base leve. Certain vitamins and nutrients that are known to be associated with nail health are keratin, vitamin C and E, and biotin. Supplements or beefing up on foods that contain these nutrients help nails and hair as well.
7. Reconsider Your Salon
It’s no secret that not all salons are made equal. Just as in every for-profit industry, many salon owners prioritize making a buck over earning and maintaining a good reputation. So if you’re wondering why your nails aren’t looking the best they could be, after being choosy with your brand and color, and spending your hard-earned cash, it might be time to look elsewhere.
Be mindful of the practices at your salon. Some salon owners dilute their polishes to make their supply last longer, leading to lackluster manicures at best. Others might use polishes that are months past their expiration date; yes, nail polish can expire, and a professional salon has no business using old polish. In addition to these concerns, it’s wise to explore resources that specifically list high-standard nail salons, offering a curated selection that ensures top-notch service and quality manicures every time. When looking for a new place to get your nails done, consult your peers and online reviews to make sure you won’t make the same mistake twice.
