It's true that some polish brands are better than others. "Some brands boast about being free of certain chemicals, which is great as long as they still work," says Sunshine. "Some are 5-free, 7-free and now even 10-free, which essentially means they are free of certain chemicals that are deemed harmful." While some brands do a great job keeping the integrity of the polish, allowing you to have a healthier product that lasts long, other brands fail the wear-test, says Sunshine. Some really good chemical-free polishes that she recommends include Zoya, Deborah Lippmann, Sally Hansen, Ginger and Liz, and Chanel.
Sure, your corner salon might be cheap and quick, but it just might reflect the quality of your mani. "Often, little hole-in-the-wall salons are unventilated and there is absolutely no quality control," says Hipp. "It's pretty commonplace for inexpensive salons to bring in illegal ingredients and fill them in bottles we recognize, especially with base and top coats." For this reason, she recommends taking a little pouch of your personal products with you to the salon so you know exactly what's being used every step of the way.
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The polishing method is poor
If you're continually dealing with chipping nail polish, don't be so quick to blame the salon — or the polish. "Painting nails is a real science; every step has to be done perfectly to ensure the longest lasting application," says Hipp. Sunshine agrees, adding that polish should be applied in thin layers without touching the cuticle area and capping the free edge. "Capping the free edge protects the polish from wearing off the tips," she says. "If polish touches the cuticle and dries, it could cause the polish to peel off."
Image via Imaxtree
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The nail polish is past its prime
Have any nail polishes lingering in your beauty cabinet that have been around for a decade (or, gasp, two)? Nail polishes are only good for about two years — after that, it's best to throw them out. If, for some reason, there's not an expiration date on the nail polish, Hipp recommends using your best judgment. "If it looks like it's been sitting on the shelf for a while, it probably has," she says. "This is why I prefer to purchase polish in a heavy-traffic area, ensuring the product has recently been replenished and hasn't sat on the shelf for too long."
"If you're really into sports, the gym or are just very active, you've got to expect your manicure will take a beating," says Hipp. If this sounds like you, no biggie — just choose a clear gloss or a nude shade that minimizes chips and nicks. "If you really want to show off, a couple coats of chunky glitter will stay put through almost anything!" adds Hipp.
