If you take care of your nails you should expect your gel manicure to last 10-14 days, any longer is a bonus! I often get 3 weeks wear, sometimes more! Follow these 7 aftercare tips for longer lasting gels...
1. Cuticle oil is your new BFF - applying this once a day is essential and will penetrate through the gel polish to keep your natural nails nourished and healthy, apply this twice a day if you can. This helps to keep the gel flexible and allows it to grow with your nails. Apply a small amount onto the cuticle, massage up the nail bed and the skin around the nail.
2. Keep your nails dry - Washing your hands and feet of course is fine! Just avoid soaking your hands in water longer than they need to. When your nails get wet, they expand, and when they dry they contract - this change can cause lifting of the gels. Also avoid water that's too hot.
3. Treat your nails like jewels, not tools - if you need to open up a tin can, use a fork to lift the tab. Get a sellotape dispenser, picking the roll with your nails will lift the edges of your gels. Anything else - get someone who hasn't had a beautiful manicure to do it!
4. Wear gloves - always wear washing up gloves as washing up liquid and prolonged time in water can lift the gels. Always wear gloves for DIY, cleaning or garden
5. Avoid harsh chemicals and products - Chlorine can unfortunately lift the nails and so can some suncreams. I have spent some time in the sun recently - I used N
ivea Protect and Bronze SPF30 and my nails were absolutely fine - I'm not sure exactly which ones are worst culprits for this.
6. Never pick your polish - picking the gels or nails will cause damage. As soon as they start to lift, lets get you booked in to get them soaked off and a reapplication. If the gels happen to lift prematurely, use a gentle file or buffer in a light downwards motion to smooth the lifting edge (I will be doing a video soon to show you how).
7. Resist cutting or filing your nails - Gel polish can last a long time so if you're uncomfortable with having longer nails, ask me to make them as short as possible when I do your manicure and come and see me in 2 weeks time. Avoid cutting or filing them yourself as this will break the seal resulting in lifting, peeling and splitting.
