7 Ways To Make Your Mani-Pedi Last Longer
Spring's bright nails and toes look great - until they chip. And sometimes, that can be less than 24 hours after leaving the salon. Jane Park, CEO of Julep Nail Parlor in Seattle, shares the secrets to a 7-day nick-free manicure.
By Jessica Prince
1. Request a Fresh Bottle: Salons often add thinners to nail polish to extend the shelf life - good for them, bad for you. "Thinners compromise both the color and integrity of the polish," says Park. If a bottle is less than three-quarters full, ask your technician for a new one. "A fresh bottle of polish can make your pedicure last weeks longer than when using an older bottle," explains Park.
2. Carry Around Your Cuticle Oil: It not only protects against unsightly rough skin and painful hangnails, but it also keeps polish from chipping. We love Julep Essential Cuticle Oil ($8.95) because its roller-ball applicator is easy to apply throughout the day. Apply it on the cuticle and across the polish twice a day.
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3. Touch Up Your Topcoat: Most of us never bother to reapply top coat, which wears down within 48-hours of leaving your manicurist's chair. As your lacquer's first line of defense against chipping, it's crucial to use it every other day. Be sure to seal the "free edge," which in manicure-speak means the part of your nail that is clipped or filed. "Sealing the free edge can double the life of your manicure from only days to a full week or more," says Park. Try Sally Hansen Hard As Nails ($2.99).
4. Wear Gloves: "Water is the enemy," Park says. Invest in a good pair of rubber gloves before it's your turn to do the dishes.
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5. Stay Away From Heat: It takes 12 hours for your nail polish to fully harden. During this time avoid saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs. If you wash your hands with hot water, follow up with a cold water rinse for 10-15 seconds to cure the polish.
6. Avoid Synthetic Fragrance: Perfumes found in hand lotions can cause nail lacquer to crack. Look for natural options that use hydrating essential oils instead of synthetic fragrance. We like Jurlique Rose Hand Cream ($25).
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7. BYOB: When in doubt, bring your own bottle, advises Park. "This way you know no thinners have been added." Check out the full shade range on Julep.com, so you're never without the perfect shade.
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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.