Expert nail polishers - I need your help.

[FourFortyFour]

I am fed up of my nails never looking good no matter what colour I use and chipping within 24/48 hours no matter which brand I use or whether I put top coat on.

I am seriously considering asking someone to come round now and do my nails.

you need to use a basecoat, then the colour and then a top coat.

Try this top coat - it's amazing. I only do my nails once a week now.

Seche vite

I am an expert! (I think so, anyway! And whenever I have had a manicure/pedicure, I have thought I can do much better myself).

I always use basecoat and topcoat and 3 coats of polish. I use either Jessica or Essie. Usually lasts a week BUT I am anal fastidious about always wearing rubber gloves and I won't even pick up a cloth with bear hands!

agree seche vite or nails Inc topcoat. if u use a decent base and top coat you can get away with using ANY cheapy nail polish!

Bare hands!! Am not a bear! Was telling my ds off at the same time....

I usually do one coat of base coat, 2 of colour and then one top coat so clearly need to rethink. I have 40 polishes and most don't suit me. I am off to spend look at the link now, thank you.

Base Coat & Top Coat like other have said, I use diamond strength Sally Hansen one for both and I usually only redo once a week.

I have Sally somebody top coat and some quick dry stuff.

Before you even touch your nails with any base coat, what prep are you doing?

You have to prepare the surface of the nail in order for products to take hold. Invest in some cuticle remover and search the net for how to use it correctly. Make sure your nail surface is free of any grease/oil before you start with base coat.

basecoat first, colection 200 nail polishes are usually good

Yesterday I used Sanctuary cuticle cream but forgot tonight.

I have used Superdrug silk wrap protective base coat, then 3 coats of M&S Autograph colour, finishing with Sally Whatsit top coat something. Can't find it at the moment and have just touched my nail and it wasn't dry . Maybe I should not bother doing my nails.

seche vite top coat dries in a minute. Great for idiots busy people like us

I've just started using Jessica nail varnishes and a base coat & top coat from there too. They also do a fast dry product you drip on which is brilliant. I'm a total convert and have bought loads on eBay (new for c£8) I wipe a remover over my nails then wait a minite or two before I use two thin coats of base coat, two of polish and one top coat. It tales maybe ten to fifteen minutes and canladt a week if I'm careful (remembering gloves for housework etc)

Jessica nail polish goes on really nicely and seems to last longer than most.

My problem is it wears off the tips first - too much mumsnetting

I used to have the Jessica drip dry stuff. FYI it is £6.95 from the Jessica site so £8 from ebay might not be such a bargain.

I did the 3 coats of colour and two of top coat last night and so far no chipping.