How To: No-Chip Nails

It's been waaay too long since my last blog.  It was a VERY busy holiday season, but it was fun.  I am glad, though, to be back in the swing of things.  

Lately I've found myself wandering away from makeup for a little bit and veering towards nails.  I'm slowly becoming obsessed with nail polish.  My reasoning to myself every time I purchase a new color is "its cheaper than getting a professional manicure" haha. ;)

I have run into one problem.  (I think all ladies at some time or another have this issue).... HOW the HECK do you get nail polish to last longer than a day??  I recently treated myself to one of those gel manicures for the holidays and there was absolutely NO CHIPPING for 3 WEEKS.  I had to finally take it off because my nails grew out.  Not because the mani looked bad.  Now, I know I can't get the gel polish results at home because you need a special UV lamp to cure the gel layers, but I really want my DIY manicures to last more than a freakin' day!

After countless trial-and-error experiments, I've run across a concoction that has proven to last again and again.  This discovery works waaay too well not to share with you all.  So feel free to pass it along!!  :)

1. BASE LAYER: Sally Hansen's "Hard as Acrylics: Hard as Wraps" (with nylon)

Apply not a thin, but not a thick layer of this.

Make sure it dries completely!

2. COLOR: Any color you want is fine.  

The one I am wearing currently is from Revlon's new collection called "Flirt" #250

It's a gorgeous cool-toned bubblegum pink

Make sure you apply 2-3 coats to get your desired opacity.

Make sure every layer dries completely before you apply a second coat

3. TOP COAT: Sally Hansen's "Mega Shine" 

(dupe for Seche Vite but without the stink or nasty chemicals)

**It says it dries within 60 seconds...and it will be to the touch, but 

wait about 10-15 minutes before you touch anything

because it will smudge.**

Then I apply the mega shine top coat every 2-3 days to give it an added layer of protection and to extend the life of my manicure by a couple days.

And there ya go...this is after 2 days (and counting!) after I applied another layer of the 

Mega Shine and it's still lookin very purdy! :)

xoxo.  Laura