Is there a trick to getting nail varnish to stay on?

[Methe]

Is it down to the price of the varnish used, the brand or the application?

I do my nails and within a could of hours they chip and crack and look shit. It's the same whether I use cheap rimmel £2.99 stuff or the marginally more expensive £8 revlon sort. I've never tried anything more expensive than that.

There must be a knack. Any tips?

I have the same problem Methe so I'm watching with interest. Perhaps we're missing a magic top coat or something?

I've found using base and top coat really helps.

Base coat, top coat, no housework.

the Barry M base and top coat is really good. I use it and get at least two or three days extra wear out of my nail colours

No house work is fine my me! Is there a particular base coat or is it just a light nail varnish?

Good base coat plus good top coat (not combo base/top coats they never work). I like nubar foundation base coat and china glaze fast forward top coat but there are lots of options.

As others have said use a base and top coat. I use Seche Vite fast drying topcoat and it is brilliant. You can get it from Amazon

No, get proper base coat.

I use this one, it's good, but it's the only one I've tried so there may be better out there.

Then I use this on top.

I've just painted them now. And now I need a wee. Bollocks.

I think it depends on your nails.. I've bought some of the things I've seen recommended on here over the years and they've mostly been shite even though others swear by them.. bought a shellac kit now - was on offer in boots last month.

I think the problem is that my nails are quite flexible towards the tip.

I don't really want to use shellac as I only want to wear nail varnish a couple of times a week at work and of I go out. I'm normally busy dogging my allotment at the weekend so it's all about the mud!

Technique is important as well. You need to make sure your nails are really clean before you paint them. I scrub mine with a nail brush to remove any trace of hand cream, oils etc. Or you can swipe them with polish remover before you paint them. If you leave any trace of cream/grease/oil on your nails the polish will lift right off.

I keep my nails very short which seems to help it last a bit longer. And it looks much better as well. I've never used a top coat as any time I've tried it's made the nails look thick and gloopy.

I use base coat. Essie nail varnish, then top coat

I use nail tek nail strengthener as a base and a top coat. I can get nearly a week out of the polish like this. Otherwise it lasts a day max.

sali hansen fast dri

I have always had this problem despite using base and top coats. But I seem to have solved it. When I put the top coat on I make sure it coats the nail right down to the sides and then under the tip of the nail. I do one horizontal stroke across the top of the nail, angling it slightly so it curls round the tip.
My nails last several days now rather than one afternoon.

Ooh good tip Whatfun. Would like to add another vote for seche vite - excellent stuff.

That's a good idea Whatfun.

Is seche vite expensive?

I'm going to try that painting technique, too. The only polish that goes the distance for me (I do lots of housework) is the Maybelline gel polish, including (and especially) the top coat.

I think its about a tenner OneMore.

Some good tips here! Thanks all :)

Thanks, louwn.

Might have a look at Maybelline gel polishes too...

Just found a boujous "silicone look" top coat that's miraculous. Keeps my varnish on all week. It was £8 in Boots.

I do what white says and seche vite (fab stuff) also use opi.

Seche Vite. And Essie nail polish. Revlon is shit IME.

Buff your nails too, to get rid of any ridges - irregularities mean chips.