Just one clear top coat or two? Trying to professionalise my at-home mani!

[JessiCake]

Can't afford to get my nails done but trying to make the effort to do them nicely myself over the festive season.

I'm not bad at it, I can get a nice even, non-wobbly colour!

But where it always falls down is how glossy it looks later the same day and the next day or two.

I've just popped on a clear top coat (a boots-own one, again I'm trying to save money and it was nice and cheap - I hope it's good!!) but that was about an hour ago and I've just put on some hand-cream (horrendously-dry hands) and the manicure is looking a bit less glossy.

Can I/should i do another top coat?

Any other at-home manicure advice much appreciated!

I'm using Rimmel gel colour which I've always liked in the past, I'd buy OPI if I had more spare dosh but the Rimmel ones go on well... maybe they don't last as well as more £ brands though?

I use the Sally Hansen Double Duty base and top coat which keeps them looking glossy. It's not that expensive but sounds better than the Boots one. Also it means you don't have to buy a separate base coat.

Have you got a tame beautician you could ask what top coat they use? (And add it to your Christmas list ).

Just one coat on top by the way.

I think rimmel polish is better than a lot of the more expensive brands but if you really want shine you have to splash out on seche vite top coat.

Second the Rimmel polish - tis excellent. Personally, I avoid hand creams etc after doing my nails as I've had that dulling experience before, too.

I also use the Sally Hansen.

I’ve tried them all and it’s better than Seche Vite or other expensive ones.

I always do my own nails as I can do them far, far better than any nail bar or beautician.

Just one top coat, unless it’s glitter polish, in which case two can achieve a smoother finish.

Nail varnish takes a really long time to set properly. Don't do the hand cream!

Thanks everyone!

Will get the Sally Hansen tomorrow.

That's good advice too about the hand cream. I sort of knew even as I put it on that it probably wasn't going to do me any favours but my hands were soooo dry. It's a constant battle this time of year as it's cold/central heating plus I have young DC so am endlessly hand-washing...

I will do a mega-moisturise before I do a manicure necy time and then avoid hand cream for severla hours.

Glad I'm not the only one doing this at home! All my friends/the school mums seem to be getting endless stunning manicures or the gel nails that last really well. I just don't have the spare cash. And I do my own polish really pretty well, I've certainly had a much more uneven job done in the past once or twice by manicurists (when I could afford them!)

Good advice and thanks all round.

PS glad you experts on here think the Rimmel gel is good!

Sally Hansen here too but use the insta dri top coat

I also share your dry hands because of endless washing. Aveeno skin relief is what I find best. Even using at bedtime and once a day makes a huge difference for me!

When the nails are dry cuticle oil just a drop per nail helps with shine. Varnish takes 2 hours to be completely set so wait that long to put on hand cream, and if you do put it on before varnish dont forget to squeak the nails (with acetone free varnish remover) before applying nail varnish or it wont stick.