Top Tips for Chip-Free Nails

A fresh set of nails can turn a bad day around in a snap. Whether it’s to celebrate an occasion or the finishing touch on an outfit, a fresh mani makes everything better! We become unstoppable! Invincible! That is, until an accidental bump ruins everything. Naturally, we’re talking about nail polish chips. A nightmare!

At Picture Polish, we designed our lacquers to work together to deliver longer-lasting nails. Our base coats, coloured lacquer, and top coats are the ultimate combination for salon-quality nails at home! That said, nail preparation and aftercare can extend your manicure even further. We’re sharing tips today, so consider this your one-stop resource for making the most of your gorgeous fresh nails!

Preparation

Before any bottle brush touches your nails, there are a few steps to complete. Push back overgrown cuticles, remove any skin from the nail plate, and choose your shape and length. Keep in mind that for natural nails, staying on the shorter side will minimize breaks and chips. Square nail shapes are often the strongest, as the flatter edge absorbs more impact. Round nails come in second for strength, followed by oval. The narrower your tip becomes, the more prone it will be for breaks. Many Picture Polish fans favour a rounded square, which files off the sharp edges. A modern take on square nails!

Finding your perfect length takes some trial and error, and it’s not just about the length of your free edge. In fact, the size of your nail bed often determines the overall length of your nails. Nail beds measure from the cuticle line to the bottom of the free edge. Those with long nail beds can keep their free edges shorter because their nails appear longer already. Growing your free edge is necessary to achieve longer nails if you have a shorter nail bed. With proper care, natural nails can grow up to 50% of your nail bed length without structural support through enhancements. Keeping them polished helps reinforce strength, and aftercare is crucial for maintaining longer nails.

When shaping your free edge, we suggest using the Picture Polish Glass Nail File. This double-sided file protects the integrity of your nails and you can file both ways, unlike an emery board. Be sure to do one final swipe beneath your nails for any frayed bits. To finish your prep, wipe your nails with acetone, including underneath. Now you’re ready for application!

Application

Picture Polish offers a selection of base coats, coloured nail lacquer and curable lacquer, and top coats. Each one has a specific purpose, depending on your needs. Generally speaking, base coats have one job: to adhere to your natural nails. But natural nails often have ridges, which is why we developed our Ridge Filling Base Coat. Hydrating and self-levelling, this basecoat will add structural integrity to your nails and leave them smooth for colour. For nails that don’t need filling, try our Dual Purpose Top/Base Coat for both a base coat and a top coat!

No matter which base coat you choose, apply one coat and then turn the brush sideways to wrap the free edge. By the end of application, at least four coats of lacquer will be along the edge of your nails. This technique will help prevent water from seeping between the lacquer and your nail beds while reinforcing strength. Once the basecoat is dry, it’s time for everyone’s favourite part: the colour!

Two coats of most Picture Polish lacquers create opaque coverage, although some require a third. Three thin coats are always better than two thick ones! Let each coat dry to the touch before applying a second. Remember to wrap your free edge as well by turning the brush and gently swiping to seal the nail. Use our Clean Up Brush and some acetone to remove any polish from your cuticle or skin.

For Curable Lacquer, the application is a bit different because there is no base coat! Our revolutionary curable formula does not require it. Simply prep your nails as usual and apply two coats of colour, curing in between. Swipe your free edge during each coat as well. Be sure to remove any colour from your skin or cuticles before curing.

Top coat is the final step, no matter which lacquer system you choose. Our Fast Dry Top Coat is a fan-favourite because it dries quickly and has a brilliant shine. If you have a little more drying time, the dual-purpose Top’N Base seals your colour with a glossy finish.

Curable Lacquer has its own Glossy Top Coat with a self-levelling formula. Here’s a tip to take advantage. Once you apply your topcoat, flip your hand upside down and watch the topcoat flow toward the middle of your nail. After 15-30 seconds, turn your hand right-side up and cure in the lamp. This bonus step adds a rounder, salon-quality look to your nails. Additionally, you’ll add a bit more strength, which is helpful for longer nails.

Maintenance

There are a handful of lifestyle tweaks to keep your manicure in tip-top shape. You’ve already gone the extra mile with nail prep, coats of lacquer, and wrapping your free edges! Protect your investment with just a few additional considerations. Curable Lacquer gives you an advantage due to the formula’s strength. However, aftercare remains the same for both polish systems.

In a nutshell, water and impact are the enemies. Defend your stunning nails from chipping by wearing gloves while cleaning. Especially when you’re washing dishes! Your nail plate absorbs water and can swell with overexposure. That swelling and shrinking will affect the durability of your manicure.

The upside to nails absorbing water is that they can absorb moisture, too. Keeping your nails nourished means they get a boost of flexibility. When you bump your nails against a hard surface, they’ll bend instead of breaking. Try Picture Polish’s innovative Dry Hand and Nail Oil, a revolutionary blend of all-natural oils. The large 30ml bottle and control tip allow for precise application and more value for you! Apply daily for nourished nails and soft skin.

One final thought that rhymes: if you pick, the polish will chip. Direct pressure on the edge of your nail will separate the lacquer from your natural nail, regardless of the system. Your nail may not chip then and there, but you’ve dramatically weakened the bond. So, if you need to remove a sticker or open a package, use a tool instead of your nails!

We hope that you’ve found this article helpful! If so, please let us know! And tag us with your longer-lasting manicures @picturepolish. We love to see them!