How to Make Fake Nails Stay on Longer
The benefits of having manicured fingernails go beyond simple good looks and fashion color coordination. Keeping nails well-groomed helps prevent cracking, peeling and fungal infections. However, getting a fresh manicure every one to two weeks takes an investment in time and money. Whether you decide to splurge and have a new set of tips put on at a salon or apply a do-it-yourself acrylic nail set at home, extending the life of your fake nails makes economical sense. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Clean fingernails daily with a mild hand soap and warm water. Use a nailbrush to wash under nail beds and around cuticles to remove dirt and bacteria. Dry hands and nails thoroughly with a soft towel.
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Apply a moisturizing lotion. Work lotion over nails and around cuticles to restore proper moisture balance. Give your fingers a quick massage to improve circulation to hands and nails.
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Glue down loose nails. Fake nails that separate from natural nails are more likely to snag on clothing or other objects and pull completely off. Dry nails with a soft towel then apply a small amount of nail glue to reset fake nail.
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File down chips. Keep fake nails smooth and rough edges rounded to prevent nails from snagging on clothing or other objects. As your natural nails grow out, file down fake nails to keep them at a nice working length.
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Touch up nail polish and apply a top coat. Reapply nail polish to the base of the nails one a week to hide appearance of new nail growth. Every few days, apply a top coat over nails to maintain a shiny, fresh manicured look.
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Leave the mechanical work to your fingers. Avoid using your fake nails to open tabs on soda cans, scratch off sticky substances or pick up small objects dropped on the floor. Constant picking and scraping weakens the glue bond between fake nails and natural nails.
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Limit nail exposure to water and cleaning chemicals. Wear gloves when doing dishes, bathing the dog or cleaning the shower. Throw on a pair of gloves when gardening to protect nail from dirt and other chemicals.
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Tips & Warnings
Check that the manicurist uses new, sterile equipment between customers. Nail files can not be sterilized so make sure a nail salons use a fresh one for each person or bring your own files to use.
Have on hand the same color polished used at the salon to make nail color touch ups easier.
When manicuring fingernails, do not remove cuticles. This can lead to infections around the skin and nails.
Gaps between fake nails and natural nails provide the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi growth. Keep nails tightly glued down to prevent infection.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit manicure image by LOA from Fotolia.com
