Please help. How do you make nail polish last?

[museumum]

My nail polish only ever lasts about two days. My nails can’t handle remover/repolish that often do I only paint them for xmas and weddings :(

Without going gel / shellac is there any way to improve my polish?

Current example :(

A good base coat helps (I use Opi nail envy, but it’s quite expensive & I’m sure a cheaper one would do the job!)
And a good top coat helps even more. Seche Vite is amazing at making your polish super shiny & long lasting. It costs about £9 from Boots.

Are you using base coat and top coat? I start with a thin layer of base coat, allow to dry, which won’t take long, then two thin coats of varnish- I find Essie has longevity on my nails- allowing each coat to dry, then follow with a top coat and seal the edges at the top by allowing the brush to skim over the top edge of your nail. That works for me. Inevitably the odd chip but usually tiny which I can ‘fill in’ with varnish as required. I think it’s important to allow yourself enough time to do the ‘manicure’ and to use thin coats, which are less likely to chip.

When I used to do my own nails, now have gels, I found the Barry m gelly polishes much more hard wearing. I also used to use nail envy by opi, it’s expensive but lasts ages

I don’t use base coat. Is that the key then?

How long do yours last with a base coat?

I always struggled with my nails chipping and looking crap until my MIL bought me some Seche Vite top coat - it's AMAZING.

You use it as a normal top coat but it drys so quickly you can put socks on and do up buttons within minutes of applying it. It's really tough too and lasts for ages. Honestly it's a miracle product. Try it!

SECHE VITE DRY FAST TOP COAT (14ml) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003H77FEW/ref=cmswwrcppapi_iNmsAbWEDGXGD

The base gives the varnish something to adhere to and protects your nails underneath from staining. I can go nearly a week,using the technique I mentioned above, and I find Essie the best brand personally.

I use base coat, 2 coats of polish, top coat.

I still only get 4-5 days though.

Without base & top coat I only get 1 or 2 days, and I tried expensive polishes.

Base coat and a gel top coat - I use Revlon for both, their gel top coat is fantastic (am allergic to formaldehyde resin and seche vite gives me the worst reactions!).

I use a Sally Hansen quick dry top coat and that def makes it last longer. Also makes it dry super fast.
Or you could try vinylux polish from Amazon-it’s great and lasts about a week.

Mine can last a week without using base coat & Seche Vite top coat. And I do a lot of typing at work!

Lightly buff your nails and use a primer then a base coat (OPI Nail envy is amazing). Thin coats of colour and let each coat dry fully before the next coat (I try to give each coat at least 10 minutes). Then a good top coat (OPI Nail Envy again).
I can normally then get about a week out of the colour.
If I don't do that then I'm lucky to get a full day, it just peels off!

Do one layer of gel top coat (set with uv lamp) over regular polish. Lasts a good week (if not longer). It's not quite as easy to remove as normal polish on its own, but certainly quicker than a full gel removal.

Thanks
Definitely going to use a base coat now. Will try with existing topcoat then see if I need to change that.

Make sure you wipe the nails with nail varnish remover to remove any oil etc before apply base coat.

No 7 stay perfect top coat is amazing. Better than seche vite and makes polishes last ages. Highly recommend. And I have horsey hands !

Use gloves when washing dishes, cooking, doing any sort of housework.

And don’t have your nails too long!
I have very strong nails that grow very fast, if they get too long - they chip faster.

I think the most important thing is to find a nail polish that works for you. So many of them chip very easily. Top coat helps, but I don't think base coat makes any difference - it doesn't for me, anyway. One odd thing I've noticed is that even if they are exactly the same brand, some colours last much, much better than others, and metallic polish lasts better than anything - glittery silver or gold goes on forever. Polishes that last well for me are Dior, Clarins, L'Oreal, No 7 and Rimmel.

I bought one of those gel top coats hoping it would last but in the shower this morning, my polish peeled off four fingers!

I think it is down to me putting too thick a layer on though. I used a nail remedy thingy as a base coat, then a ridge filler, then two coats of polish and a top coat. However, I have from for doing a manicure then going to the kitchen to clean the tops or the hob (filthy flat mates!).

essie gel top coat is amazing, my nails last a good 2 weeks using this

Definitely a decent base coat and top coat. I like Sally Hansen ones personally.