Thread: Seeking Nuclear-Grade Nail Polish - what polish stays on without chipping?

Hello everyone!

I had a great time relaxing and giving myself a manicure on Tuesday...only to arrive at Friday and have my nail polish looking like a 14-year-old's after a school basketball match. ,m::

I don't do anything excessively rough or strenuous with my hands and nails, but my nail polish seems to chip no matter what! My current technique involves 1 layer of base coat, followed by two layers of polish, and then one layer of top coat. This whole process takes a while, so I'd like my polish to last as long as humanly possible.
Is there some secret technique or brand of nail polish you've discovered that usually lasts at least a week without chipping? Thanks...I'm hopeless at this makeup stuff!

I hope you get some good tips. I'm lucky if my nail polish makes it through the day.

Me too! Except I do two coats of color and one coat of clear over it. When I do the clear coat, I can get it to last about 2 days instead of one. Gonna stalk this thread and see what you gals have to say.

Opi makes a "permanent" color. Which is not a polish but instead a liquid acrylic that coats the nail. The benefits are that they can last forever with fill in appointments, the downside is that it kind of ruins the nail and the only way to remove is to soak in acetone for a long time. You have to get it done by a professional manicurist

I hate to say this, but the only way to make your polish last is time. Time in between coats to allow the lacquer to dry and time not putting your hands in water or doing things which can cause the still not quiet set lacquer to not adhere to the nail. 24 hours is the general rule.

I personally love Opi colours of all the brands currently on the market.

{{{HUGS}}}

I always try to do one coat in the evening when I have some time to just sit and let it dry long enough to be safe to go to bed. Then in the morning when I know I have some time, I do the second coat. Then a few hours later, the top coat. And I often use my hair dryer on them a little just to make sure I get it really dry. I can get it to last a good 4 days that way. My nail will chip before the polish does.

the only way I've managed has been to have a professional pedicure, then they last 2 weeks

Starting with a swipe of OPI's "Chip Skip" or rubbing alcohol seems to help. It ensures that your nails are absolutely free of moisture and oil before you start, so whatever polish you use adheres better.

I find my polish chips more if i use a base coat. Which is weird.

Originally Posted by Suzana

Starting with a swipe of OPI's "Chip Skip" or rubbing alcohol seems to help. It ensures that your nails are absolutely free of moisture and oil before you start, so whatever polish you use adheres better.

Ahhhhh... that would make sense. I'm going to try really getting my nails super clean and oil free before applying polish next time.

I rarely paint my own nails - just don't have a steady enough hand for that - but here are some ideas from my manicurist:

1. cleaning the nail before applying any polish. Just use a drop of nail polish remover on a cotton ball, even if you don't have any remains of old nail polish. I does exactly what Suzana said - clear the nail of any dirt, moisture etc.

2. give plenty of time between applying different layers to make sure it dries well.

3. when putting on the top coat, don't only cover the larger part of the nail but put also a bit on the tip. This will prevent chipping from the tips.

4. give plenty of time for drying your nails. She said that red polishes takes the longest - you'll need to be careful for up to an hour.

Wow, after typing up that list I definitely understand why I don't do it myself ..l;,

This? I believe it's extremely pricey though...something like 20 dollars for a bottle.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCpXTHjYADQ]YouTube - CND Shellac - 1st Hybrid Nail Polish - Creative Nail Design[/ame]

I had a poblem with my actual nails chipping, and in desperation turned to Sally Hansen's Triple strong nail fortifier gel, which woked wonderfully

I find it also helps maintain the colour under it pretty well too, and it isn't too pricey out here.

I've used Sally Hansen "Hard as Nails" as a clear top coat over whatever color (usually OPI) I have on underneath. Seems to be the best I've found thus far - being a guy I'm murder on my nails to the point of where I usually don't bother with fingernails as I'll chip them up using them as screwdrivers or scrapers or something, but usually have my toenails done pro as they last longer that way...

Hmm, Zorba...hard as nails peeled on me, though admitedly that isn't chipping :)

But certainly, there is bound to be something in the Sally Hanssen range to help you!

As an old nail tech I would say that an absolutely clean,dry nail is essential...don´t polish right after a bath or shower.
The nail soaks up water and shrinks while drying so the polish chips off easier.



The single*best*top coat that I can never ever be without is Seche Vite,it dries polish very fast and keeps the polish on+glossy look fresh if you use it every night.
("Out The Door" is OK also)
It´s not such a hassle since it´s touch dry in about a minute.

Originally Posted by _Tanya_

Opi makes a "permanent" color. Which is not a polish but instead a liquid acrylic that coats the nail. The benefits are that they can last forever with fill in appointments, the downside is that it kind of ruins the nail and the only way to remove is to soak in acetone for a long time. You have to get it done by a professional manicurist

Its called Axxium from OPI and its only available at salons. My local mani-pedi place had it and I tried it. Its actually a gel that hardens under a special UV lamp. Its supposed to last 2-3 weeks and then you soak it off and the nail tech reapplies it. The benefit to this over acrylics is supposed the be that there is no filing/buffing needed on the nail surface to apply (unlike acrylics which get done with a dremel).
I wasn't too impressed. Even after setting it with the UV lamp, it still felt soft. After a few days I noticed that it was already lifting off a couple of my nails. I ended up peeling it off after about 10 days. My nails underneath were fine.
I will probably try it again, this week in fact because I have a big show and need a mani anyways. But it cost like $30 and IMO wasn't worth all the hype. I don't think I'm convinced about it yet. I'll let folks know how my second trial goes if I do it this week.

Originally Posted by nayastrance

Its called Axxium from OPI and its only available at salons. My local mani-pedi place had it and I tried it. Its actually a gel that hardens under a special UV lamp. Its supposed to last 2-3 weeks and then you soak it off and the nail tech reapplies it. The benefit to this over acrylics is supposed the be that there is no filing/buffing needed on the nail surface to apply (unlike acrylics which get done with a dremel).
I wasn't too impressed. Even after setting it with the UV lamp, it still felt soft. After a few days I noticed that it was already lifting off a couple of my nails. I ended up peeling it off after about 10 days. My nails underneath were fine.
I will probably try it again, this week in fact because I have a big show and need a mani anyways. But it cost like $30 and IMO wasn't worth all the hype. I don't think I'm convinced about it yet. I'll let folks know how my second trial goes if I do it this week.

Exxactly-I wasn´t too impressed myself by Axxium since gel polish and colored acrylics has been around since long before(they are wonderful for permanent french or colored pedis)

It takes a LOT of skill to "cap" the edge of the free nail and don´t go too close on the cuticle because if that happens,the lifting is a fact in just 1-2 days.
(Did you adjust the length/shape of your nails after your appointment?)

Filing/buffing natural nails hard before applying any material has been a big no-no since the 80s here in Scandinavia-sad to hear that dremels are still used!

When working I used electrical files for reverse backfills and smoothing under the free edge of material;it should NEVER come in contact with the natural nail.p::

Came to think about something that I think is so "normal"and elementary to do that I didn´t even think about posting it-
removing overgrown cuticle

Most nail salons don´t take the time but buff it off instead(goes faster)and not many clients I´ve met did it although it´s as easy as 1,2,3 and really affects polish,gel&acrylics adhering.

I <3 the BE Natural cuticle remover and can´t be without it,even though I stopped working as a nail tech I order it in 8oz bottles!
:soapbox:

Originally Posted by nayastrance

Its called Axxium from OPI and its only available at salons. My local mani-pedi place had it and I tried it. Its actually a gel that hardens under a special UV lamp.

Stupid question - why do people use UV lamps for manicures? Doesn't it damage your skin in the long run?

I am slightly beautification-impaired, but I'm trying hard! I'd love some professional advice!

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

It takes a LOT of skill to "cap" the edge of the free nail and don´t go too close on the cuticle because if that happens,the lifting is a fact in just 1-2 days.

I keep shorter nails, and I wear the polish off the ends very quickly. Is it because they are so short? Is there a good way to patch/prevent this?

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

Came to think about something that I think is so "normal"and elementary to do that I didn´t even think about posting it-
removing overgrown cuticle

Most nail salons don´t take the time but buff it off instead(goes faster)and not many clients I´ve met did it although it´s as easy as 1,2,3 and really affects polish,gel&acrylics adhering.

I <3 the BE Natural cuticle remover and can´t be without it,even though I stopped working as a nail tech I order it in 8oz bottles!
:soapbox:

This sounds like a great product, I just looked it up on Amazon. How does it work? Does it dissolve the cuticle? Or is more manual removal assistance needed? Sorry if this is a dumb question. I have more cuticle than I need, and I keep pushing it back, but it does get in the way when I paint my nails.

*current nail colors: on hands, translucent orange w/gold flecks (Sinful Colors' Serena and Chloe). On toes, iridescent green (LA Colors over Sinful Colors' San Francisco)*

If you are like me and no polish will stay, you can go the "buff natural nails until they shine" or polish just before performances. For me, no polish has ever worked. I've used nearly every product our there, including going to different nail salons. My nails grow very fast and are extremely hard, but, for whatever reason, polish never stays. It invariably starts flaking or peeling within hours.

Originally Posted by da Sage

Stupid question - why do people use UV lamps for manicures? Doesn't it damage your skin in the long run?

Thank you!

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

As an old nail tech I would say that an absolutely clean,dry nail is essential...don´t polish right after a bath or shower.
The nail soaks up water and shrinks while drying so the polish chips off easier.

If that's the case, why do we soak our feet in a foot bath for 60 minutes when we get a pedicure?

I'm not doubting your word, I'm sure you're correct - but can someone explain?

Agreed.

The trick is to lightly buff the nail and remove all of the surface oil from the nail before applying the base coat. Rubbing alcohol works well. The other trick is to apply a clear coat every other day after your manicure. After a week you should start all over. Just beware that a constant "cover" on your nails will compromise their health.

No two ways about - pretty nails that are natural take work!

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

I hate to say this, but the only way to make your polish last is time. Time in between coats to allow the lacquer to dry and time not putting your hands in water or doing things which can cause the still not quiet set lacquer to not adhere to the nail. 24 hours is the general rule.

I personally love Opi colours of all the brands currently on the market.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by zorba

If that's the case, why do we soak our feet in a foot bath for 60 minutes when we get a pedicure?

I'm not doubting your word, I'm sure you're correct - but can someone explain?

I assume that's to soften the skin...not the nails.

I'm scared to get a salon pedicure (don't want to catch anything from a foot bath or shared tools), but I always imagined that the point was to make your feet as pretty as your newly polished nails.

Avon makes a base-coat polish for which the sole purpose of the product is to keep color polish from chipping and make it last up to 10 days.

Avon makes great nail polish, is less expensive the OPI and Sally Hansen, and lots of the polishes are on sale these days along with the base coat, some being 2-for-1. I'm an Avon rep. If anyone is interested in the anti-chip base coat. Let me know and I can place your order.

Forgive the shameless plug. It's the only solution I know of for the issue of chipped nail polish lol. And customers love it.

Sally Hansen has a new "Insta-Dry Anti-chip top coat" i thought "it will never work" but it does!!! put polish on, wait 2 minutes, put the top coat on, in a few (5) minutes---your polish is set. i hadn't even been wearing nail polish cause it was such a pain---but this stuff is great and it does keep the polish on also for almost a week.

Originally Posted by da Sage

I am slightly beautification-impaired, but I'm trying hard! I'd love some professional advice!

I keep shorter nails, and I wear the polish off the ends very quickly. Is it because they are so short? Is there a good way to patch/prevent this?

No,shorter nails or longer doesn´t really make a difference IMO-to first let the polish "cap" the edges of nail and use a (fast drying)top coat every night is the only thing that protects the free edge when I go natural.

Come to think of it,the clients that were typing a lot were the ones having most problems with wearing off the polish.
(but how can we stay off bhuzzing?)

About how to use Cuticle Eliminator:
The invisible skin cells from the cuticle can actually cover half the nail in some cases,so some get a dramatic difference in polish/material adhering when it´s removed!

Scrub the nails with a soft brush and soap(remover is more effective on moist/soaked skin)
Put on the Be Natural remover,wait about a minute and then carefully remove the dissolved skin with an pterygium remover or an orange stick(softer and better for the non-pro)
Warning:you will be shocked of the amount of dead skin coming off!

Here´s a demonstration clip about how to use it:ProLinc - The finest in nail, hand and body care, preferred by professionals worldwide!

No,I´m not sponsored by them
Love their products ´cause I don´t believe in nipping/shaving off skin other than removing the odd hangnail that "stands out".
Rather than cutting off whole dry cuticles I like to just dissolve and remove dead/dry skin,because cuticles shrink back and becomes almost invisible when properly treated/moisturized.

It goes for feet too,many salons use both "shavers"to remove calluses on feet+cuticle nippers;
I don´t only find it unnecessarily harsh;imagine how downright dangerous that can be if tools aren´t sanitary!

Originally Posted by mahsati

If you are like me and no polish will stay, you can go the "buff natural nails until they shine" or polish just before performances.

Many people,especially doctors and nurses rather have buffed shiny nails because they are not allowed to wear polish at work+it keeps nails looking good a whole month or two not having to worry about re-polishing.

Love EZflows Miracle buffer but most brands are good:)

Originally Posted by da Sage

Stupid question - why do people use UV lamps for manicures? Doesn't it damage your skin in the long run?

It´s NOT a stupid question!
Gels are acrylic too,just more flexible than the powder/liquid acrylic;the big difference is that it hardens under a UV lamp instead of reacting when mixed.

It made a big difference for the nail industry because nail techs can work anywhere without worrying about the monomer(liquid)smell.
(Some companies have mixed in a small amount of calcium in the gel to market it as "natural"and "better for nails")

I´ve always covered as much of the clients hands as possible with baby wipes before going into the lamp beacause it looked to much like a tanning bed to me...
Despite much much lower effect than a tanning bed the UV lamp have been "linked" to skin cancer in a study.
About studies-where are you Crystallized?You´ll explain this much better than me in my Swenglish...


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