By Aisling Keenan
06th May 2020
06th May 2020
Quick nail fixes can be lifesavers when you’ve somewhere to be, pristine nails are your jam and you can’t make it to your regular nail tech or manicurist. Here are some ways to (hopefully) save the day…
When it comes to my nails, I don’t take kindly to them looking unkempt. For me, messy nails = messy everything, and so if I have something important on and my nails aren’t in shape… Well, it’s safe to say I don’t feel like I’m putting my best foot forward.
If attention to detail is something that you’re into, in beauty terms, here are some nail saving tips I’ve learned over the years.
TIP ONE: OIL IS YOUR FRIEND
To avoid a mishap occurring in the first place, use a cuticle oil on the nail to trap in air so the polish dries faster. Blowing on your nails does nothing, but oil will do the job of curing your colour.
TIP TWO: DENT FIXING
Another way you can use oil, in the immediate aftermath of a manicure, is to smooth out dents. If you’ve just finished painting your nails and get a dent in one, drop some cuticle oil on and rub the area gently to smooth it with your finger.
TIP THREE: DIP AND RUB
If you’re experiencing edge wear, as in when the polish wears off at the tips of your nails, take a cotton bud (recyclable of course!) and dip it in nail polish remover. Gently smooth out the area, leave to dry, and then repaint the worn edge gently with minimal polish. It’ll lengthen your mani by at least a few days.
TIP FOUR: TIPS ARE HANDY
And I don’t mean advice… I mean literal nail tips. Keep a packet of fake nails and some nail glue handy. If you break one nail, apply the tip, file it to match the rest of your natural nails and buff it to blend. Paint it the same colour. It’s a short-term solution but it’ll at least make your hands look even temporarily groomed.
TIP FIVE: HAND CREAM, ALWAYS
Something I am religious about is having handcream in every handbag, at my desk, in my car, at every sink in my house. Something that affects the lasting time of your lovely manicure is hydrated hands. Because hydrated hands = hydrated, healthier nails. Use handcream any time you wash your hands and your nails will be stronger and your cuticles will be softer.
Read more: Your next chic manicure should be tortoiseshell nails
Read more: Why nail experts want real manicures to make a comeback
Read more: Recently removed your gel nails? Here are three products our beauty writer recommends
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