How to keep Nail Polish from chipping

Help and advice about nail varnish chipping

Ever wondered what you can do to minimise the effects of nail varnish chipping? As sad as I am to admit this, nail varnish will only usually last between 4-6 days without chipping. This is due to natural oil in our nails that gradually end up lifting nail polish. However, help is at hand! (Quite literally!). Here at Candy Nails, we stock a range of amazing candy food to help give your nail polish long lasting effects. For instance, let me introduce you to Creative Nail Design's 'Stickey'. This base coat acts as a gripping agent to prevent peeling and chipping- just what the doctor ordered! It goes without saying, though, that the cheaper the nail polish brand, the less time it will take for your beautiful nail varnish to tarnish- so invest in a respected nail brand, along with essential nail candy to ensure long lasting effects!

We at Candy Nails know just how important good-looking, glamorous nails can be (indeed it is definitely this season's 'must-have accessory'!), so we thought we'd share a few hints and tips to help you along the way! There are three elements that add up to long lasting nail polish. These are:

1. Base Coat: This is usually a clear liquid which is used to prevent staining that can often occur as a result of the application of nail polish. We recommend using 'Seche Clear' to prevent nail discolouration/yellowing.

2. Nail Polish: The best way to apply nail polish is by applying a strong stroke at the center of your nail, followed by a stroke at either side of that. To prevent easy chipping, always apply two coats but make sure you allow the first coat to dry before proceeding to apply the second coat- patience is a virtue! One top tip to help 'preserve' your nail polish is to store the bottle in the fridge- this keeps out warm air bubbles that could alter the colour of your polish over time, as well as make it dry!

3. Top Coat: Like the base coat, this is a clear polish. It provides coating that will ensure durability and often also acts to prevent chipping, yellowing and peeling- it's definitely a must for sexy nails! It also helps speed up the drying process and we at Candy Nails know just how frustrating it can be waiting for your polish to dry!! We recommend 'Seche Vite' (containing a formula which is widely acknowledged as the world's finest top coat!) or Creative Nail Design's 'Speedey' for added semi-gloss finish. This should be re-applied to the nails twice a week, especially if you're sporting some super funky nail art!

While peeling and chipping is inevitable, there may actually be particular reasons as to why this has occurred so soon after the application of your nail polish. Here are a few suggestions:

• The nail polish was not applied thickly enough. What did we tell you about the importance of two coats??
• A base coat was not used.
• Grease was present on the nails prior to the application of the nail polish. Always make sure that you clean/wash your hands and nails thoroughly before applying nail varnish.
• The nail is flaking and chipping. If your nails are suffering from some bad TLC, here are a few steps you might want to take to get them from sad to sexy again! Fill two bowls big enough for your hands with warm oil- virgin olive oil works a treat! Place these two bowls into a sink or larger bowl filled with hot water and leave the two bowls in there for about ten minutes. Take the bowls out and soak your nails in them for about ten minutes or so before taking them out to dry with a towel. Repeat this process about three times a week without applying any nail polish during this phase! By this time, the flaking and chipping should have ceased. If it hasn't, consider consulting your GP, as it may be that you have psoriasis or eczema of the nail.
• The polish was dried unnaturally. Nail dryers are available to purchase, both in machine form and in spray can form- we wouldn't recommend either of these as this may affect the condition of your nails so do have some patience and allow your nails to dry naturally! It'll be worth the time it takes to do that :)

Should you have any queries or issues regarding your nails then please do not hesitate to visit our 'advice' section for even more helpful hints and tips!