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Going on vacation? Don’t worry about is keeping your mani and pedi fresh throughout your trip. Here are some tips on how to make nail polish last longer!
How to Make Nail Polish Last Longer
It’s a downer to head to the airport with chipped nails, especially if you’re planning to Instagram photos on your trip! If your polish tends to chip less than 24 hours after application, chances are you might be skipping a few essential steps. We have a few tips that will be handy the next time you head to a nail salon or if you choose to do your mani pedi at home.
These chip-free tips will help you figure out how to make nail polish last longer on your entire vacation! Say goodbye to peeling and cracks.
Strong Base Coat
To adhere your polish to your nail, you can’t skip out on applying a base coat. This first step is essential to begin your manicure and pedicure. A strong base coat will smooth the surface of your nails and is the number one step in succeeding at how to make nail polish last longer.
The base coat should always be applied thinly to prevent chipping–a thicker layer will end up peeling quicker when exposed to water. The base coat also prevent stains on your nails from darker polishes such as black or maroon shades.
Go for a base that’s filled with strengthening ingredients such as vitamin E to keep your nails stronger and less prone to breakage.
Fresh Polish
If you regularly visit the salon for your manicure, chances are your salon manicurists are using older polishes with added thinners that can reduce the longevity of your mani and pedi.
If a bottle is about less than half full, request a fresh bottle. Thinners will often change the consistency of polishes, making them more prone to chips and peeling.
A newer bottle of polish will apply smoother and without clumps for a longer lasting mani and pedi. Or, when in doubt, bring your own nail polish to the salon.
Fast-Drying Ice Bath
If you’re the queen of ruining your freshly manicured nails, then the ice bath technique is for you! If you’re short on time and need to dry your polish between coats, dipping your nails in an ice cold bath will harden the top layer of polish to allow it to dry quicker.
The best solution is to use the ice bath technique in between applying thin coats of polish. This will prevent dents and smudges and seal in your polish faster. Dip your nails into the cold bath for a few minutes until you feel the polish hardening.
Alternatively, use a spray or lamp to set the polish!
Topcoat Touch Ups
After you’ve finished painting your nails, it’s important to keep your topcoat with you throughout your vacation. Most topcoats will wear down within a day or two depending on how often you expose your nails to water.
Topcoats will prevent chipping on the first day but will lose strength gradually. Make sure to seal your polish all around the edges and tips to extend your mani and pedi.
Especially if you’re on a beach or poolside vacation, packing your topcoat is critical.
Show off a gorgeous pedi with one of these cute beach sandals!
Gel Polish: Your Saving Grace
Last but not least, if all else fails, a gel manicure is a permanent manicure and pedicure option. If you’re planning a long vacation, this is your best bet.
Professional salons will offer a wide range of nail designs and colors that are practically bulletproof for at least two weeks. While a gal manicure can be a pricey alternative, it will last longer and appear glossier than your average polish.
Gel polish takes about 2 minutes to dry under the UV light which helps cure the polish to your nails, making it resistant to chips and peeling.
Learn more about why we love gel manicures to get the perfect vacation nails!
Before you head off on your vacation, these manicure and pedicure tips will keep your nail polish looking as fresh as the day you painted it!
Do you have any additional tips on how to make nail polish last longer? Share in the comments!
For more travel beauty tips, please read:
- Vacation Nails that Won’t Chip or Peel: Gel Manicures
- 5 Nail Tools for the Perfect Manicure On The Go
- I’m Obsessed with these 9 Travel-Size Sephora Must Haves
- 8 Natural Beauty Products You’ll Want to Take on Your Next Adventure
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I’m going away for only a week so what is best for me? use my own polish or go to the salon and get gels I’m really unsure what to do as like you say its pricey.
Hi Molly, I prefer gel nails, but I know they are costly so own polish works just as well! Have a great trip! 🙂
If your manicure gets chipped it is less visible if you have nude nail polish or marble nail design so choose a convenient manicure if you want to avoid going to nail salons on vacation.
Awesome tip, thanks!
I’m heading off to Japan for 12 days soon, hopefully with these tips I can make a mani last the entire trip! 🙂
Have a great trip 🙂
Great tips! I’ll definitely have to try them out this summer.
Hi! This is very useful for travel, one of the main reason why I don’t post pics when I’m waiting for my flight is that always my manicure gets “broken” or chip by the suitcase or going to the airport, so I’ll definitely try your advices for a “travel aprobbed manicure” 🙂
Thank You! These are “doable” nothing worse than skipping wearing sandals because of a chipped toe nail!
I swear by a gel manicure! It is the sure way to keep nail polish on! I also cut my nails shorter to menimize breaking my nails to keep the nail polish on longer!
good idea Amanda!
I’ve been known to take my quick-dry top coat (Essie Good To Go) when I traveled during summer months, particularly if I was going to the beach – salt water can ruin your pedi. Last summer though, I did a gel color pedicure before my trip to Europe and it lasted my entire 2 weeks abroad. And they still looked great when I returned – no chips, still glossy. It was great not to worry about refreshing my top coat and I’d definitely do it again before a long trip.
wow awesome tip! Thanks Marlene 🙂
I always carry the nail polish that I have on for any touch ups. Learnt it the hard way 🙁 Turns out, if I used any mosquito repellent and accidentally got it on my nails, the paint came right off! So now, I always carry it with me in case of mishaps !
Great idea!
A lot of helpful hints about how to make a mani last longer. Thanks for all the tips!!!
I started using gel manicures before I went to London and Paris last spring. They really do last. One warning: the lamp for curing the manicure gives off strong UV rays that could damage your hands over time. I bought some UV protection gloves and wear them now for gel manis.