Keeping Your Mani Looking Fresh... Even Through Cleaning the House

 

When you put in the time, effort, and money to keep your nails looking good, you want them to last for more than a day! But it seems like the minute you wash that first dish your mani is done for. *sigh!* In a perfect world, I could get my nails done and then sit on the couch with my feet up for the next week looking at my nails, eating Bon Bons, and watching soaps. But I don't live in a perfect world, and I'm willing to be you don't either! So I've gathered up a few tips to keep that mani looking fresh while still living life in this imperfect world.

Moisturize

My first, and probably most important, tip is to keep those digits slathered in lotion. This is especially important now that the dry winter months are upon us.  This will keep your cuticles in shape, help prevent hang nails, and keep your nails growing strong and healthy.

Buff 'em

Buff your nails before polishing them. This will provide for a smooth, even surface for the polish. Polish is less likely to chip off smooth nails

              
Clean 'em

Wipe your nails down with nail polish remover, even if you don't have any old nail polish on. The nail polish remover will clean away any oils and dirt.  This will create a clean canvas for your nail polish. When nails are clean, polish can adhere to them more strongly.
             
Top Coat

Apply a protective top coat to your nails. Choose a clear top coat that purports its strengthening and protective qualities. Reapply the top coat every few days to keep the polish protected.

Sit Still             

This is the hardest step for me to follow! Let the polish fully dry before participating  in any activities. If you disturb the polish before it is fully set, it won't have time to bond with your nails, which will make it more likely to chip later.
             
Protect Your Investment

Whether you did a DIY manicure, or paid for a pro manicure, protect the time and/or money you put into making those nails pretty. Wear rubber gloves whenever you clean and wash dishes. The chemicals in most cleaning products eat away at polish, causing them to chips. Just keeping your hands in water, like when you wash dishes, can destroy your manicure. Rubber gloves will protect your nails from damage.

Check out this site for even more nail care tips
http://www.hairsprayandhighheels.net/2013/07/nail-care-routine/