Gel nails - is it me?

[teawamutu]

I cannot keep painted nails chip free for more than 24 hours.

I have a desk job so not mucking around with engines and wrenches ffs. I swim, I have kids which prob doesn't help.

I have tried Sensationail, Belen and Elite99 in the past month. All wrecked after a day, though the latter still going strong on my toes after 2 weeks.

Do I just give up or is there a magic product that will sort my fingers out?

[itsbetterthanabox]

Go have it done properly in a salon.
Professional products are much longer lasting and full nail prep will mean better adherence. Plus it'll look a lot better.

[fieldfare]

I'm just doing mine at the moment.
The best, long lasting, chip resistant combination I've found is to shape, do cuticles, buff nail slightly and then use Eye Candy advanced gel wrap base coat, 2/3 coats of an OPI colour, and then Eye Candy advanced gel wrap top coat.
When I do the base coat I run the brush just under the tip of my nail to seal the edge and the same with the top coat.
That lasts a week normally with only a little wearing at the edge, no chips.

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

OPI products seem to last well for me !

[ClownsToTheLeftOfMe]

I've found Vinylux to be good.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I would second splashing out on a decent clear top coat to protect your nails.
I go for quite light nude colours on fingers so any small chips are not obvious and wear rubber gloves for any cleaning or washing up, or whenever your hands are in water. (You probably can't wear your marigolds swimming though )