Hacks to make your manicure last

A great manicure is truly a timeless beauty trend that will never go out of style. Whether you're visiting your local salon or taking a more DIY approach, it's the perfect way to pamper yourself and spend some quality 'Me' time!

But no matter how enjoyable the process may be, we all want our manicures to last as long as possible, so that we can get the most bang for our buck, and effort. There are a lot of things that can ruin a manicure and destroy your nails, but don't worry, because we've found twelve ingenious hacks to help give your pretty mani some serious longevity.



Prep your nails with polish remover

Before you begin applying polish, it is important to get your nails prepped for their pampering. "If there is residue on your nails, it will prevent polish from adhering," explains Essie Weingarten, founder of Essie Cosmetics. The solution? Make sure your nails are clean and completely dry by wiping them down with a lint-free cotton pad and an acetone-based cleanser.

Alternatively, you can "remove dirt and grime by brushing nails clean with an old dry toothbrush and whitening toothpaste for a refreshing feeling that whitens and brightens," reveals celebrity manicurist Jenna Hipp in an interview with Shape.

Buff, buff, buff your nails

Lightly buffing your nails to smooth out any bumps and/or dents, no matter how small or invisible they may be, is another key to a long-lasting mani. As Huffington Post beauty writer Jennifer Choy points out, "If you run your fingers over your nails, you'll notice little ridges on the surface of your nails. Some of us have more prominent ridges than others and it's these culprits that cause polish to crack. The trick to a longer-lasting application is buffing your nails until you have a smooth surface to work with."

One thing to remember is that, for best results, you should always "buff in one direction rather than haphazardly all over." Why? Because "just as the hairs on a violin's bow rip and get fuzzy over time as you move it back and forth, the same thing happens with your nails," explains nail artist Simcha Whitehill, AKA Miss Pop. "That motion causes tiny tears and splits in the nail that can turn into full-blown cracks and slits over time."

Keep cuticles in check

As you're buffing and cleaning your nails, don't forget to show a little TLC to your cuticles. "Push them back using cuticle oil and an orange stick or a pusher tool to prevent paint from getting on them," suggests Cosmopolitan Associate Beauty Editor Brooke Shunatona.

But however strong the temptation may be, do not cut them! And once you start applying your polish, keep your cuticles in mind and "avoid getting any polish on [them], which lifts the paint from the nail and leads to chipping," she adds. "This is an important step for ensuring your manicure lasts as long as possible," agrees Jennifer Choy. "Make sure to push back and remove cuticles before you start the painting process."


Never, ever shake the polish bottle

As you prepare to start applying the lacquer, you'll likely be tempted to shake your bottle of color. Don't! As Beth Shapouri of Lipstick.com revealed to Glamour, you should never, ever shake a bottle of nail polish, no matter how accustomed you might be to doing just that. Why? Because "it creates air bubbles", which can then cause the polish to bubble on your nails and crack. Put this bad habit behind you and "try rolling it between your palms to get the formula to mix instead."

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