How to Have Long-Lasting Nail Polish

Remove oils from the nail surface before polishing.

Painting your nails so the polish lasts longer is a lot like painting a wall or furniture. As with wall paint, nail polish needs a surface on which it can adhere. And as with furniture, you need a top coat that will protect the color. With the right technique, you can get long-lasting nail color at home for less than a salon manicure

Things You'll Need

• Soap and water
• Base coat polish
• Top coat polish
• Colored polish
• Small fan

Instructions

1. Wash your hands to remove oils from the surface of your nails. Dry them with paper towels.

2. Apply a thin layer of base coat to each nail. Use three strokes: middle, right, then left.

3. Apply two thin layers of colored polish to each nail. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the first coat to dry before applying the second coat.

4. Apply a thin top coat to each nail. Brush a coat over the tops of the nails to seal the polish.

5. Let your nails dry completely. Hold your hands in front of a fan to speed up the process. Wait 30 minutes before using your hands as normal to ensure all four layers are dry.