Summer or winter, a beautiful manicure is a daily affair. For those who like to keep their hands soft and their nails beautifully filed and manicured for as long as possible, here are some good tips that should do the trick.

A good base ensures long-lasting results

Just like with makeup, a manicure requires a clean, healthy, and well-prepared base. Needless to say, brittle, weakened, and unhealthy nails will certainly not keep our manicure looking good for more than a few days, so it is important to take care of them before applying any manicure.

Washing and caring for your hands

It sounds simple, but we rarely think to wash our hands before applying nail polish. Why is it so important? Washing your hands removes any oily residue, dust, or micro-particles (like a hair, for example) that could compromise the proper application of the polish. Then comes the care! Clear away the cuticles, apply a softening cream to the skin, give it a little massage for pleasure, and trim the nails if necessary, depending on your preference: short nails or long nails! 

Gently buff the nail surface.

This is a step that is very often skipped due to a lack of time or simply because it is not considered necessary. However, just as the skin must be moisturized to best support makeup, the nail must also be buffed (very, very lightly) to maximize the adhesion of the polish and ensure long-lasting results. Using a nail file or nail buffing block, gently buff the nail surface until it feels smooth. Be careful not to go too hard, as excessive buffing is very bad for the nail and could lead to breakage or cracking (and that hurts!). Also remember to file the nails to give them the desired shape before applying the polish. Almond-shaped nails, square nails, or rounded nails? It's up to you. Finally, finish by brushing the nails to remove any buffing residue and smooth the nail surface. 

Step 3: protect! Just as we protect our skin from UV rays, pollution, and the cosmetics we are bombarded with, nails also deserve to be protected before applying any polish. Why? Over time, you will quickly notice that the nail yellows from constant contact with the pigments in the polish (which, let's remind ourselves, is still a chemical substance!). It can also split and break. To avoid as many problems as possible, make sure to apply a clear base coat before every home manicure. Note that the base coat also allows for a more even application of nail polish, helps to strengthen the nail to prevent breakage, and provides better long-lasting results. In short, it has everything going for it. 

You can also add a layer of nail serum for double protection!

Applying your polish the right way

It is not a matter of quickly applying a brushstroke and then stopping there. Applying nail polish is a respected art that can be learned! Obviously, with a little practice, patience, and desire, you can very easily master the perfect application, step by step.

Step 1: apply the polish in successive layers, not in a single brushstroke with a thick, uneven texture… Avoid clumps! Do things properly. It is best to let each layer dry before applying the next.

Step 2: take your time. You don't want uneven layers that could leave ugly streaks once dry. It is important to carefully apply each layer of polish to ensure that absolutely all areas of the nail are covered.

Step 3: don't forget to clean up the edges. What's that? It is the technique that allows you to optimally cover the entire nail and, above all, make the polish last a little longer. The excess will be removed with the tip of a cotton swab soaked in nail polish remover or with a nail polish remover pen. For the final step, make sure to paint the tip of the nail (horizontally) to thicken the nail and "seal" the polish application. 

Let it dry without rushing

Applying polish for a perfect manicure takes time. It is better to avoid having somewhere to rush to afterward! Free up an entire afternoon if necessary, to be sure not to ruin the application with the slightest snag… As mentioned above, it is essential to let each layer dry before applying the next. This waiting time will allow the polish to spread and set as best as possible.

• A little tip to speed up drying time? Put your nails under ice water and let your hands air dry.

Essential, finish with a touch of top coat

Top coat is the foundation… of the finish! To complete a little home manicure session, make sure, of course, to coat colored nails with a final layer of top coat. This special polish comes in several formulas, including one that speeds up drying! Others revive the color, shine, ensure longevity, and even strengthen the nail. Like the base coat, top coat is an essential that should not be forgotten if you want a long-lasting manicure and shiny nails, just like a professional manicure. 

What about touch-ups?

Generally, you can't avoid them. A manicure touch-up (if the above steps were properly followed) is done after a week (for a standard manicure, obviously three more for semi-permanent!). Nothing particularly bad or complicated. Generally, you can do it in a few minutes, but once again, it must be done properly.

• To fix a small chip on a nail where the polish has peeled, there is no need to remove everything (the nail polish remover stays in the cabinet). Simply apply a small amount of polish to the affected area and spread it so that the previous layers also blend with the new application. Finish with a thin layer of top coat and you're done.

On vacation, to avoid disaster, make sure to bring in your vanity a nail file, nail clippers, your nail polish, your nail serum, and your top coat! This way, it is impossible to be caught off guard by chipped polish, a damaged nail, or any other snag that could ruin our carefully prepared manicure!