How to Refresh a Manicure Without Removing Old Nail Polish

Well-manicured hands are vital to making a good first impression, but keeping a manicure fresh looking while still living an active life is a challenge. Taking time to remove old nail polish and repaint nails from scratch is just not always possible. Refreshing a manicure takes less than half the time of removing old polish and also saves cuticle and nails from excessive exposure to acetone fingernail polish remover.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Nail polish
• Nail polish top coat
• Cuticle trimmer
• Nail brush
• Bowl of warm soapy water
• Nail file
• Fine-grit nail buffer

1. 

   File nails to the shape you like. For the most sophisticated look, file all nails to a uniform length and shape.

2. 

   Use the fine-grit nail buffer to buff each polished nail at the cuticle so that the edge of the old nail polish blends with the bare nail that has grown out since your last manicure. Be careful not to damage your cuticles.

3. 

   Use the fine-grit nail buffer to buff the tip of each polished nail wherever there are chips or scratches. Once again, buff the nail polish so that it blends with the bare nail. Run your finger over the nail to check for smoothness. Be careful not to buff the bare nail excessively--this will weaken the nail tip.

4. 

   Use the fine-grit nail buffer to lightly buff the entire polished surface of each nail. The purpose is not to remove old nail polish but to smooth the surface and also remove any remaining sheen so that your new polish adheres well.

5. 

   Soak hand in warm soapy water for ten minutes. Gently scrub under nails with the nail brush.

6. 

   Dry hands with a towel and gently push back cuticles with the towel.

7. 

   Use the cuticle trimmer to trim any hangnails or torn skin around the cuticle. Do not cut the cuticle itself; this could cause injury to the cuticle.

8. 

   Apply one coat of matching colored nail polish to each nail. Let dry three minutes.

9. 

   Apply clear nail polish top coat and let dry.