Applying a gel manicure is a great way to extend the life of your manicure and get that shiny, flawless finish. But reapplying a new coat on top of your old one could be very time-consuming, especially if you have to wait for each layer to dry, which can take up to 20 minutes. Instead of having to sit around and do nothing but wait for your nails to dry, consider using one of these three methods for extending the life of your gel manicure before reapplying.

1. Use Nail Polish Remover

If you find that after a few days your manicure is starting to chip or peel away from your nail bed, apply a small amount of acetone-based nail polish remover directly on the damaged area of the gel. The acetone will melt away the top layer of gel while leaving the rest intact, allowing you to smooth out any bumps and chips. Once you’ve done that, apply another thin layer of clear gel over the area so it looks smooth again.

2. Use Rubbing Alcohol

For tougher marks and stains on your nails, such as permanent marker lines or deep scratches in the surface of the gel, use rubbing alcohol instead. This will even out any indents or ridges in the gel

If you have a gel or shellac manicure, you know that it can last for weeks at a time. But after awhile, it begins to show signs of damage and your manicure will begin to look chipped and beat up. If you are trying to save money and get the most out of your gel mani, try these tips to extend the life of your gel manicure before reapplying!

1. Keep Your Nails Short

Although you may want long nails, the longer they are the more prone they are to breaking and chipping. To keep them in tip top shape and make them last as long as possible, keep them short! It doesn’t matter what shape they are in as long as they are not too long.

2. Use a Top Coat Every Other Day

To keep your nails looking fresh, apply a top coat every other day or once a week. A top coat makes your nails look shiny and new again from all of the wear and tear it has been through over time. It also protects your nails from any outside elements that may be harmful for them.

3. Don’t Wash Dishes By Hand or Clean Too Much!

Although it is wise to keep your hands clean after using the bathroom and before eating food,

If you have a gel manicure and want to extend it for as long as possible, try these 3 easy tips!

1. Keep your nails out of water for 24 hours after application and reapplication.

2. Apply cuticle oil every day to keep nails hydrated.

3. To prevent chipping and peeling at the edges, apply polish over the tips of your nails before applying a new coat of gel polish. Using this technique will help seal the edges better and cause less lifting, which preserves the life of your manicure.

1. Try a plastic bag

2. Use a top coat

3. Get a gel basecoat

If your gel manicure is chipping, you don’t need to keep reapplying polish to get the same long-lasting results. Instead, try these three tips to extend the life of your manicure, and save yourself some time and money.

1. Try a plastic bag

You may have heard that putting your hands in a plastic bag can help prevent smudging when you’re polishing your nails, but this trick can also help preserve your manicure between touchups. Just soak your nails in warm water, dry them with a towel, then dip them into a bowl of warm water inside a plastic sandwich bag for five minutes. This will soften up the top layer of nail polish, making it easier to apply fresh polish over top. When you’re done, simply squeeze out the excess water and remove the bag for easy cleanup!

You know the drill: You spend a good hour at the salon getting your nails done, and just as you’re about to leave, your manicurist says that you need to reapply your gel nails after two weeks. But you know better than that.

1) Apply a layer of regular polish under the gel polish.

You can keep your gel manicure looking fresh for up to 4 weeks by using this trick. This will prevent your gel polish from chipping, peeling or fading in color.

2) Use a top coat every day.

After a few days, you’ll notice that your gel manicure looks dull and not glossy. Applying a top coat every single day will refresh the look of your nails, as well as protecting them from damage.

3) Put cuticle oil on daily to prevent dryness and cracking.

Before applying the cuticle oil, make sure that you didn’t apply any moisturizing lotion beforehand because it will cause the nail polish to peel off faster and create air bubbles when applying the cuticle oil.

Gel manicures are a great, long-lasting option for those who want to maintain a chip-free, beautiful manicure for over a week. However, many times your gel manicure may begin to peel off before the week is up! Here’s how to prolong your gel manicure:

1. Prep the nail by filing down any loose edges and cleaning the surface with polish remover.

2. Paint a thin layer of clear nail polish over the whole nail and let dry. This coats your nail in a protective layer that prevents further chipping or peeling.

3. Apply another layer of clear polish every 2 days until you’re ready to remove and reapply your gel nails.

If you’re like me and you’ve fallen in love with gel manicures, you also probably understand just how expensive and time consuming they can be. Not only do I need to book an appointment at least a week in advance, I find that my nails are usually chipped within 3 to 4 days after getting them done. So how does someone who needs salon-quality nails for the average work week manage?

Here are three simple steps anyone can take to extend the life of their gel manicure.

Step 1: Apply a layer of top coat every 3 to 4 days.