Making your gel nails look fresh until your next appointment should qualify as an Olympic sport. The stakes are high—you spend money and time getting a manicure. Some people simply live their lives unbothered by what happens to their gel, and we support them. But for those who want to get the most bang for their buck and drag a gel manicure out a few extra days, these are the tips experts say you need to try.
Featured experts
- Zola Ganzorigt is a celebrity nail artist and OPI ambassador
- Yewon Jang is a lead product developer of gel polish at Kiss New York
- Jan Arnold is the co-founder of CND
Start with a clean canvas
The prepping process is the most important step to ensure a long-lasting manicure, says celebrity nail artist and OPI ambassador Zola Ganzorigt. “Clean the nail bed properly and make sure there’s no excess cuticle, oil or water residue on the nail surface,” she says. Gel polish product developer at Kiss New York, Yewon Jang, explains that if the cuticles remain on, ”the gel polish will peel off easily and early.”
Dehydrate the nail bed
Ganzorigt recommends dehydrating the nail bed before applying polish to ensure no water or oil is present. She uses OPI Bond Aid PH Balancing Agent, only available in salons. At home, you can try the Londontown Pre-Prep Nail Hydrator ($20).
Avoid excessive water exposure to gel nails
Of course, we’re not asking you to skip showering or washing your dishes in the name of a good manicure. But it’s worth noting that the more the gel comes into contact with water, the less likely it is to last. “Gel nail polish is strong and made to resist water and scratches, but I recommend avoiding water within one hour after applying,” says Jang. “Excessive hand washing will affect longevity. I recommend not submerging your hands in water for a long period of time, as the polish can peel off earlier.”
Be consistent about nail care
It’s vital to use a daily care product to keep nails healthy and cuticles conditioned, says CND co-founder Jan Arnold. “Using a product like CND SolarOil ($9) every day at nighttime allows it to penetrate nails and skin while you sleep,” she says. “The cumulative effect keeps nails tough and flexible. We call that ‘plasticizing’ the nails.” Ganzorigt recommends OPI Pro Spa Nail & Cuticle Oil ($11).
Don’t forget a base coat
A base coat “will help the polish last longer and prevent colored gel polishes from staining your natural nails,” says Jang. Pro tip: “Make sure the base coat is fully cured before applying color.”
Avoid polish overflow
A good manicurist won’t color outside the lines, so this shouldn’t be a problem if you’re in the salon. It’s worth noting, though. Ganzorigt says it’s important to ensure there’s no overflow of the base polish and top coat on the skin while painting the nails.
