3 Reasons Why Your Polish Is Chipping

Are you trying to understand why your polish keeps chipping? Here are 3 common reasons why this could be happening.

Improper Prep

I know I sound like a broken record when I say prep is everything. Nail polish simply will not last if it’s applied on top of an unfavorable surface. Imagine if you painted a bedroom wall covered in old stickers and oil splatters. Before painting that wall, hopefully you would remove the stickers, sand the walls and remove all the dust. This is also the process for nails!

Prep is crucial!

The nail plate should be free of oil, moisture, and dust for best results. To do this you can lightly buff the surface with a soft grit nail buffer then use acetone or alcohol (with a lint free gauze) to wipe away any dust or remaining oil. Which takes me to my next point.

 

Not Using a Base Coat

Base coat is the foundation for everything that is applied on top. It’s job is to create a strong bond between the natural nail and the polish that is applied after. Think of it as double-sided sticky tape; one side sticks to the nail plate and the other sticks to the polish. This is how to achieve optimal adhesion.

Some brands are coming out with nail polish that do not require a base coat. If you are NOT using a base free option, you will want to apply base coat every time.

 

Applying Coats Too Thick

Let’s get to the good stuff; the color! By this point you’ve prepped your little heart out, applied that annoying base coat that you might think does nothing, but actually does everything and you are ready for color.

When applying color you want to make sure to do thinnnn applications evenly. It’s very possible for chipping to happen when the application is too thick and can’t dry properly. Take your time, focus on each stroke and cover the entire nail from side to side, top to bottom. Tip: Start painting using your non dominant hand. You’ll have the most patience, focus and control at the beginning. For example; if you are right handed, paint your right hand first (using your left hand).

One thing to remember: 3 thin coats of polish is better than 2 thick coats of polish.


If you have any questions or comments, leave them below.

Cheers to a long lasting mani!

blue and green sparkle nails with no chipping