So how do you paint your fingernails?

[itsonlysubterfuge]

I know this sounds like a stupid question, but I always seem to mess it up. I painted all my fingernails, waited a good hour and a half and then I washed the dishes. Now they are all smudged and chipped and look horrible. What exactly am I doing wrong? I'd just like to have painted nails that last, maybe like a week or something? At least more than an hour though.

Last thing in the evening and finish with Sally Hansen top coat . Red bottle white lid ,it's called insta dry and gives a lovely hard glossy finish.

I'm rubbish at doing my own nails. In fact, I still manage to chip them easily even after going for a manicure!

I think you have to wait aaaaages before applying a second coat to make sure the first one is completely dry. Then aaaaages again till the second coat dries. Then top coat. Repeat.

Then use rubber gloves for washing-up

I usually do 2-3 thin costs as opposed to 1 thick coat, this tends to last longer. I don't worry too much about it going on neat as I'll usually use a cotton bud dipped in nail polish remover afterwards to tidy up. I then finish with Revlon long life top coat (its expensive but even makes the cheapest of bail polishes last a while longer).
I usually do nails when kids are in bed and whilst watching soaps, that way I have plenty of time to let them dry as I've found that nail polish can be touch dry within 10 minutes bu takes a good hour to be 100%

Never wash the dishes!

I put it on at night, because I am useless at it and get it all over the skin too. Put a top coat on last. Then the next morning in the shower, the hot water softens the polish on the skin and I can just run my nail around and peel it off.

My fingernails go all messy too....and yet the varnish on my toe nails stays put.

It does, how does that happen?

This is me. Toes would last weeks if I didn't take it off, fingers last about half an hour. I used to have gel nails done in a salon that used electric file on them and to take them off, I think this has ruined them. They're also quite thin now,when its really cold the skin under my nails thobs and hurts

I normally do mine listening to The Archers omnibus Sunday mornings 1 1/4 is just right for home mani/pedi. Base coat, 10 mins first coat colour 20 mins then 2nd colour.

I used to have gel nails that also would get filed off and end up hurting. I stopped that about 9 years ago and they are only just back to being strong enough.
Still with dents though.

I now paint nails of an evening. Two coats working 5 mins of eachother so not really touch dry.

Then a top coat of seche vite and that locks it in until I can't help myself but peel it off.
It would last a week if I didn't do that

So I guess I just need to buy a good quality top coat.

Thank you.