Nails

One of the main differences between gel polish and nail polish is how long they last.

A gel manicure can last for up to 2 weeks with no chips or cracks, as the polish is cured under a UV lamp.

If you’re using regular polish, your manicure will last for a couple of days to a week (if you’re lucky) but you’ll probably get some chips along the way.

When painting your nails at home, you should apply four coats in total.

Start with a clear base coat to give your polish a nice, even base to stick to and to prolong the life of your manicure.

This should be followed by two thin coats of your favourite polish.

Finish by applying a top coat, and make sure to cap the tips to prevent chipping!

You should always allow each layer of nail polish to dry before applying another layer of polish to avoid ruining your manicure.

Wait 2 minutes between each coat before applying your next one.

There’s nothing worse than chipping your beautiful, salon-worthy manicure - so how can you prevent it next time?

Start with clean nails, and prep with a base coat.

When applying your nail polish, apply thin coats rather than thick coats - this will reduce the drying time and lower the risk of smudging.

Afterward, apply a top coat to extend the life of your manicure.