Anti-Chip Tips
Extending your nail polish color or clear topcoat past the “free edge” of your nail is one of the best ways to keep your manicures chip-free. This is a technique I always use when applying nail polish, and I’m chip-free for five days. (I’m sure the manicure would last longer, but that’s about the time I like to remove my polish and wear a new design.)
After you apply your coat of color down the nail vertically, hold the brush horizontally and swipe along the tip, or “free edge” of your nail. This one simple extra step is going to make a huge difference in how long your manicures will last.
Normally I paint one coat of color and add this horizontal swipe while the nail polish is still wet. That way the “vertical” and the “horizontal” swipes blend together seamlessly. I skipped the first step for ease of viewing.
Once your first coat of color is dry you can apply your second coat of color as you normally would. There’s no need to cover the free edge of your nail again.
As you can see from this underside shot, extending your polish past the free edge of your nail makes your polish end underneath it. Chips start right where your polish ends; that’s why having the polish end safely underneath, (where bangs and taps can’t occur) works better than having your polish end on top of the nail, where it’s constantly bumping against things.
Look at your nails from this angle to see if you’ve completely wrapped your free edge in polish.
I paint on my first coat of color this way, and also my clear top coat. (It’s fine if you just seal your free edge in clear topcoat instead if you don’t like seeing color underneath your nails.) The durability you need depends on how long you like to wear your polish, so for longer lasting manicures try this technique with your color and your topcoat. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section.
Tags: Tips
January 3rd, 2009 at 1:13 am
That’s a great tip! Is there a tut on that cute design you have in these shots? Aghhhh I could go nuts with this stuff. Starting Biotin tomorrow and I really hope it helps me get stronger, longer nails!
January 3rd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Natalie,
Here is a tutorial for making polka dots using a dotting tool: http://asami.choseit.com/dotting-tool-basics/
For these larger dots I used a size one paintbrush and white acrylic paint. I’ve switched to making smaller dots with a dotting tool because it’s much easier and faster. You can find dotting tools online or at Sally’s Beauty Supply. Here’s one on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001MP2RY4?smid=AKZ54EXMVZHXW&tag=yahoo-hpc06-20&linkCode=asn
January 29th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Asami, What is the best nail polish that you’ve used? There’s a Sally’s nearby and they seem to have good quality nail polishes such as Orly and OPI, but in your opinion, which is better? And are those nail polishes really that much better then lower priced ones, ie. Sally Hansen?
-thanks
January 29th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Mandy,
OPI is the best nail polish I’ve ever used, and I’m currently trying to replace all my old cheap polishes with similar OPI colors.
While I don’t think it makes a HUGE difference in application, (I’ve used Sally Hansen, China Glaze, NYC and Zoya, and one isn’t really easier to paint with than the others,) however there’s a significant difference in how long the polish will last on your nails.
And I think it’s worth it to spend the extra money for that reason. If you have a great topcoat that will make your manicures last, then you’re fine to stick with drugstore brands or just pick them based on which colors catch your eye.
These are just my personal opinions, but a few things I’ve noticed:
Zoya: I get air bubbles with Zoya. I have no idea why, because I don’t normally experience air bubbles with OPI, so I only have two Zoya polishes.
China Glaze: Totally stains my nails yellow. Always wear a basecoat with China Glaze, definitely.
OPI: Has a wide brush that prevents streaking. Tends to need fewer coats than other polishes to reach opacity. Very expensive but they make me giddy.
Sephora by OPI: OPI formula, regular brush. I like a lot of the colors but be aware that you’re not getting the nice wide OPI brush with these.
Sally Hansen: None of the bottles claiming to strengthen or grow nails ever worked for me, so don’t buy them for that reason. If you like a color though, then go for it! Of the drugstore brands, Sally is pretty good in terms of how long it will last.
NYC: The cheapest of the cheap. $.99 and you get what you pay for. I have a few bottles from back in the day and I never touch them anymore. They chip like crazy.
Covergirl: Not bad actually! The “Boundless Colors” are pretty good. I’d say just as decent as Sally Hansen but they can be a little streaky depending on the color.
Orly: I only have two Orly polishes, one basecoat and a pink. I like the rubber top because it’s easy to open and doesn’t get stuck. The polish is good but not nearly as good as OPI. It’s kind of thick so I thin it with polish-thinner to make it easier to work with.
I hope that helps. I definitely recommend OPI polishes but don’t feel like you’re missing out on that much if you prefer the $2 over the $8 brands. The extra money doesn’t magically make your application neater, but your polish will last longer and the expensive brands tend to come out with more interesting colors.
January 30th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
AHHH!! thank you so much for that! It was so informative! You are definitely a nail polish/ nail art master!
January 31st, 2009 at 9:02 am
Mandy,
You’re welcome! I’m glad to be of help. Thank you so much for calling me a “nail art master,” hehe. :)
You may have a different experience with some of these polishes depending on humidity in your area and the quality of your topcoat, etc. I know some girls who love Zoya. These are just my experiences. (I have to write that before someone says, “But China Glaze is awesooooome!” Haha.) I don’t know anyone who’d disagree with my claim that OPI is the best though. But that’s why it costs as much as it does, right? Sigh.
January 31st, 2009 at 9:19 am
Do you like Essie…I looooove ESSIE!
January 31st, 2009 at 9:57 am
Larissa,
I’ve never actually tried Essie! I’m not sure where they sell it in my area. I’d love to get my hands on a bottle though, I’ve heard great things about it. Do you know about how much one bottle usually retails for?
January 31st, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Yes, I get them for about $6-6.50 a bottle. they are to die for. They do last for a long time and very chip resistant. I think you can go on their website essie.com and order bottles, but I think that they are more expensive online…I’ve actually bought several on EBAY for good buys. I am going to go through my collection sometime this weekend and tell you which my favs. are. !!! I have like 30 bottles, I know you must have a lot more nail polish, but it’s a start. I like OPI as well. I think essie and opi are awesome. I was wearing “SEXY DIVIDE” (dark purple in color with some shimmer to it) (essie) anyway I can go on forever!! ttyl
January 31st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
How much does a bottle of OPI go for? and do you know what stores sell OPI(not online)?
January 31st, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Larissa, $6 isn’t bad, the very next time I spot an Essie I’ll get one and try it out. I’d love to hear your favorites! :)
Mandy, I pay almost $8 for a bottle of OPI! It’s crazy, I know. They’re about half that online but I prefer to see my colors in real life before I purchase them. I get most of my bottles at ULTA. ULTA, Sally’s Beauty Supply, JC Penney Hair Salons, and this store called “Glamour Secrets” at my old mall had them so try beauty shops like that. And of course, Sephora by OPI is only at Sephora. They sell for cheaper in some places, I’ve heard. :)