The only good thing that came out from being in quarantine all these months is that our manicure game has improved and how. From caring for our cuticles to creating intricate nail art designs, our manicure skills are now anything but basic. Amirite?
But does it still feel like your at-home manicure does not last as long as the ones you get done at the salon? The main reason behind this could be some really common manicure mistakes that prevent you from achieving salon-like results.
Here’s a list of all manicure mistakes that you need to start rectifying ASAP for professional results…
- Mistake #01: You are not using a cuticle oil
- Mistake #02: Skipping base and top coats
- Mistake #03: Applying thick coats
- Mistake #04: Peeling your nail polish
Mistake #01: You are not using a cuticle oil
Just like how you moisturise your face to keep it hydrated and healthy, your nails and cuticles need to be well moisturised too. Moisturised cuticles mean stronger and healthier nails, and will also prevent the harsh chemicals in your nails polish from damaging your nails. If you don’t have a cuticle oil at home, apply a few drops of coconut, jojoba, olive or sweet almond oil each night before going to bed.
Mistake #02: Skipping base and top coats
Base and top coats may feel like an added (read: useless) step in your at-home manicure session, but believe us they are there for a reason. Applying a base coat before your nail polish helps to prevent nails from the chemicals in the polish and also keeps them from turning yellow. Additionally, it feels the ridges on your nails to help the polish glide on smoothly. Topcoat, on the other hand, works really well to keep your nail polish in place for a longer period of time.
Mistake #03: Applying thick coats
No matter how amazing or expensive your nail polish is, one thick coat is never enough. In fact, a thick coat of polish will only end up taking a lot of time to dry, and could also very easily get smudged. Therefore, apply at least two thin coats of polish and allow each coat to dry off completely before applying the next coat to prevent a mess.
Mistake #04: Peeling your nail polish
If you have the habit of peeling and scrapping your polish as soon as you see it chip, then girl, you’re ruining your nails for sure! When you scrape away the polish, the topmost layer of your nail is damaged, and it prevents your nail polish from going on smoothly. This makes the polish chip very easily and ruins in your manicure in very little time.
Written by Urvi Dalal on Aug 29, 2020
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!