• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Power 40
    • Money & Career
    • SOKO MRKT
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
    • Essence Holiday Gift Guide 2023
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Power 40
    • Money & Career
    • SOKO MRKT
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
    • Essence Holiday Gift Guide 2023
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home • Nails

Nail Rehab: The Right Way To Polish Your Nails

Don't blame the polish. Chipped nails be your fault.
Nail Rehab: The Right Way To Polish Your Nails
Joslyn Blair
By Virignia Lowman · Updated October 27, 2020
There aren’t many things worse than chipping your nail polish after you’ve just gotten (given yourself) a fresh manicure. And, while it’s easy to blame cheap polish as the reason for your lack luster manicure, the chances are you (or your manicurist) are actually at fault for that chipped ring finger nail. For polished gals who can’t seem to get their nail polish to stop chipping, we’ve got a few do’s and don’ts, and a step-by-step guide to nailing you next manicure. FAQ’s Q: Do I really need a base and top coat?
  • A: Yes. Not only does a base coat help even out uneven nail beds by filling in ridges, it also helps protect your nail bed from discoloration. The top coat is more of a cosmetic fix, but it helps improve the longevity of your polish and gives it gorgeous shine, or serves to mattify the polish.
Q: Are multiple coats necessary?
  • A: Applying multiple coats of your base color is optional, but If you’re aiming for sheerer coverage a single coat is fine. You shouldn’t need more than two coats of color per nail.
How Get a Chip-Free Manicure Step 1: Wash your hands and wipe your nails down with a gentle, hydrating polish remover like Caption ‘Onto the Next’ Creme Remover ($5.95, at dermstore.com)  or Bernadette Thompson ‘Wipe Out’ Nail Polish Remover ($8, at bernadettethompson.com). Step 2: Apply a single coat of your base coat of choice, and allow two minutes to dry. We love Formula X ‘Prime’ Nail Base Coat (10.50, at sephora.com). Step 3: Once your base coat is dry, apply the first coat of your base color and allow two minutes to dry. Step 4: Repeat step three. Step 5: Apply a single coat of your favorite top coat and allow two minutes to dry. If you are using all of the necessary products, then it’s likely that your polish is chipping because you’re painting your nails too quickly. Solvents in polish need at least two minutes to dry in order to set. Layering nail polish over semi dry polish leads to chipping and often results in a manicure that lacks luster and shine, and will peel off in sheets. The trick is to apply your polish in thin layers that dry quickly and evenly. If you really want to amp up your manicure, use a gel top coat instead of a basic top coat and dry it under an LED light for one minute. You’ll have flawless tips for up two weeks at half the cost! For easy at-home gel manicures, we love the SensatioNail Nail Starter Kit ($49.99, at target.com) The important thing to remember is that a manicure is supposed to be a moment when you are pampered—don’t rush the process. Allow two minutes for each coat to dry. If you don’t have 15 minutes to spare, then try a more time friendly option like Incoco Nail Appliques; you can do them on the go with minimal to no down time.
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now