10 tips that WILL make your nail polish last longer! (Even as a BEGINNER!) 🙌🏼

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[@sleepystrugglz4586]

I can attest to the importance of every. single. step. of this video. Even when I always used a basecoat and top coat and didn't pick, my polish would STILL chip so fast. When I started removing the cuticle first, dehydrating the nail (love a good dehydrator after using alcohol!), and THEN polishing, it made such a huge difference, to the point where it would last double the time. Then I started focusing on oiling regularly and now I get bored with the color before I need to change it due to chipping. Fantastic video!

[@PolishLabRat]

So now that you put it this way, it’s a great point because u can actually implement the tips incrementally, building habits little by little, and u’ll see improvements. It’s not “all or nothing” 🙌🏼☺️

[@aprilhaley5645]

Is the base coat and top coat the same bottle?

[@artbarn2624]

@@aprilhaley5645 No! They are two entirely different formulations, which do different things, and should not be used interchangeably. I would not use any product that claims to be both a base coat and top coat--they will not do either job well.

[@SimplyIntoMyNAILS]

Great video!! Another couple of tips: • Cap the ends/tips of the nails with each coat of polish, including base and topcoat. • Reapply a coat of topcoat every 2-3 days (capping the ends) to add longevity and refresh the mani if needed.

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah that works for a lot of people but I don’t do those so I never prioritize them 🤣 - I do have a couple reasons why I’m iffy on capping… but the reapply top coat, yes!

[@CamilaSaurus]

@@PolishLabRat why are you iffy on capping?

[@BlueYodel6]

IDK why anyone else is iffy on capping, but I never cap my nails because they're quite short and I just end up with nail polish on my fingertip and then I have to use remover to get it off and then it messes up my manicure and it's just a hassle. I still get about six or seven days out of every manicure, though.

[@ALT-vz3jn]

@@BlueYodel6same. I’ve never had issues because I didn’t cap my nails. Especially with gel polish, it’s such a pain in the butt to cap without streaking.

[@sixinchhiheels]

6 or 7 days out of every manicure? I hope it's from doing your own and not from having it done at a shop. If so, you might want to find another manicurist. It should last 3 weeks easy @@BlueYodel6

[@BrittMFH]

I can't stand chipped nails. I always keep my current polish handy and touch up chips immediately. They become unnoticeable then unless you look closely. Also, capping free edges helps me a lot. Thanks for sharing! 👍 Britt

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah touching up is a perfect “hack” or “help” for people who can’t stand chipping! Really helps the urge to pick at them! 🙌🏼

[@BANDAIRMA]

This is so informative. I ve been doing it wrong forever. I learned to clean nail perfectly and that both top and base coats are essential. Thanks, cool lady. What a nice personality you have.

[@PolishLabRat]

Glad it was helpful! Thank u!

[@Nikki7B]

Thank goodness you said "bed sheet nails". I thought I was crazy, never heard anyone say this, and this was always a problem for me. Lol

[@PolishLabRat]

Hahaha yeah, almost as if it was a design 😂 all the bed sheets stuck on our nails 🤣

[@Nikki7B]

@Polish_Lab_Rat Yesss. Lol, painting nails too late in the evening, just to wake up to nails with lines and crinkles lol

[@PolishLabRat]

Try the top coat from glisten and glow.

[@Nikki7B]

@@PolishLabRat will do. I'll check for it at my beauty supply store. Thank you

[@PolishLabRat]

It’s an indie brand. They are not carried in supply stores. However, if ur store has Seche Vite u can try that one. It’s as quick drying but might go thicker in the bottle sooner than the GG does, but u can add thinner at that point, no problem. 👍🏼

[@ericmartin9569]

Thank you so much for this useful tutorial! I love painting my nails and now my manicure lasts longer! God bless you 🙏🏻

[@PolishLabRat]

I’m glad this video helped you!

[@ingevanherzele4990]

Thank you for this video! Great that you don't only show the steps but also explain why to take these steps!👏🙏💗

[@PolishLabRat]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching ☺️🌼

[@VenusNovember]

This was very helpful. I appreciate these types of videos😊

[@PolishLabRat]

Glad it helped!! 🤗💅🏼

[@backseatbanano]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! SAVED A SISTER’S LIFE!!!

[@PolishLabRat]

Hahaha 💕🤣😘

[@sMak06]

Another awesome and helpful video Larissa that has a great summary of what to do/not to do with your nails! Thank you 🙏🏽

[@PolishLabRat]

Glad you liked it!!🌼🌼☺️

[@tabularasa]

Excellent advice! Every point is good, and your delivery is zippy and straightforward. For the last five months I've been making a genuine effort to overcome my dermatillomania of my fingertips, which I've suffered from my whole life. Daily jojoba oil was the first step. Getting into beautiful boutique polishes was also inspirational, making me want to preserve them and stop picking. Little by little I've learned about each of these things you mention here, and these days my manis last at least one week, with only minimal tip-wear, no chips, and sometimes lasts 10-12 days. Now that I have this longevity of a mani, and a more interesting polish collection, I find that I get bored of it sooner, and instead of waiting for it to chip, I want to take it off and try some different combo or skittle lol I still fail weekly with the skin picking-- chronic anxiety is hard-- but it's definitely better, and the area around the sides of my nails where keratin blends into living skin is so much healthier, making the nail itself more stable and strong. I have several millimeters of healthy free edge that I never had before! No clipping, only glass filing, is also huge in helping with this. Anyway, I just discovered your channel, love your delivery, will look into more videos! 💅

[@PolishLabRat]

Welcome here!! :) also check out “the salon life” channel here on KZbin. Amazing tips and no-nonsense knowledge shared in her channel about nail care, nail health, etc!

[@NativeNYerChicHK]

Can I just say, if I maintain my cuticles I find my nails grow a bit faster than if I let it over grow. Now, I’m not sure if it’s all the gentle maintenance and treatments I’m doing while I address my cuticles that has an accumulative effect on better nail growth OR simply because freeing the nail from that skin helps them to grow better. Or maybe it’s both combined. But either way, the more I tend to my nails and cuticles, the better they grow! ♥️💅🏻

[@PolishLabRat]

I think it’s more like, “the more u maintain ur nails the better and stronger they are so they don’t break and u get to keep the growth”… growth speed shouldn’t be impacted, but break prevention 100% is! 😊❤️

[@blueclarity]

I have a very large regular polish collection but my nails are very peely and regular polish chips within hours no matter what I'd do UNTIL I started using rubber base gel as a base before I polish. Now it stays on till I take it off for a new color.

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah regular polish adheres very very well to a gel base, but at that point your manicure becomes an enhancement and it's not really me helping you to get regular nail polish to last on your natural nail haha 😝

[@RoseShowsChannel]

I ADORE YOU!!! New subscriber here. I just started a youtube channel and wanted to look around at other youtubers with similar types of topics. When I get to my manicure video, I am definitely going to recommend that people watch this video! I could never say it better! love your style of telling us to stop and think about it with its just a paint job! And all of that. You're probably too young to remember Roseanna Rosanna Danna from Saturday Night Live in the 70s but the way you talk in this video made me think of her and smile! If you look at the videos of those skits, just know I'm basing the statement off of this video only - meaning I have no idea if you look like her or not. Idk if it would be a positive or negative thing look like her, just saying, I have no idea what you look like. I just LOVE your personality and how genuine you are in your video! I can't wait to see more!!🧚‍♀️💜💜💜

[@PolishLabRat]

Thank you so much! Hahaha idk that character and idk if we look alike or not but doesn’t matter haha I get the gist of what u r saying! 🤣 welcome to the channel!

[@lakeshore7683]

tbh, I don’t really mind chipped nail polish when it’s on my nails. idk, it could be due to how I’m an artist and tend to do a lot of messy work with my hands and whatnot, and my fingers tend to get roughed up anyway 😭

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah could be, as long as it doesn’t inspire you to pick at it and you leave it alone, there’s no harm in chipped nails 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@lakeshore7683]

@@PolishLabRat and tbh, I find chipped nails really cute on other people too! I tend to be surrounded by a lot of artsy people and whatnot who also have chipped up nail polish and whatnot due to all the crafts we get into and stuff. But I can also really appreciate people who have the knack to just take the time to keep their nail polish looking pristine and elegant as well! Us artists can’t really afford to keep our nails looking perfect 24/7 lol 😭

[@Kats4korner]

Great tips and reminders of how to protect manicure longevity. Please recommend a good ridge filler that actually works. Thanks😊💗

[@PolishLabRat]

Hmm I have tried and liked these 3: ella+Mila, glisten and glow, and londontown Lakur. Those brands have ridge fillers that I actually like. (Thanks for watching!)

[@Kats4korner]

@@PolishLabRat Thanks a lot for the ridge filler recommendations😊🙏🏼

[@niknak6459]

These were great tips!! The trouble that I run into is when the polish peels completely off the nail like a sticker. Not sure what I'm doing wrong

[@PolishLabRat]

I wonder if it could be the nail prep step… u know?

[@niknak6459]

@@PolishLabRat most likely lol

[@kizzyrichards593]

is your polish too thick?

[@niknak6459]

@kizzyrichards593 I don't think so

[@pretty707]

Best video I’ve seen!! So informative yet to the point 😊

[@PolishLabRat]

Thank you so much!

[@sheerenecelaire3652]

what colour is on your right hand. love it and want that colour!!!

[@PolishLabRat]

Holo Taco "Holo Cappuccino" :D

[@NoMoreTears64]

This was very educational for me. Now I understand why the professional nail salons do what they do and now that I have to do my own, it is good to know the correct way. I do have a question though. I noticed your nails have a yellow hue. Is that healthy? Is it from polish? Just curious.

[@PolishLabRat]

It’s a stain from polish. Most nail pokish content creators that don’t wear a gel overlay have it. It’s not unhealthy. One way to distinguish health related yellowing from just polish stains, is where the stain occurs. Polish stains are usually towards the tip and get darker the more u go towards the nail tip (since that’s the older nail that’s been stained more times), but the cuticle line is usually not stained at all (new healthy nail that hasn’t stained yet). Yellow nails from health related issues usually start at the cuticle line.

[@livwithbiv]

Wow!!!! This video was perfect. So much great info shared!! 🙌🏻

[@PolishLabRat]

Tysm!!! 😘😘😘🥰

[@zarinaadi04]

I love your nails

[@PolishLabRat]

Thank u!

[@bleeka325]

Using acetone or alcohol to dehydrate before I polish actually does ruin my nail. My actual nail plate starts to peel and flake over time. So opt to just wash my hands before I polish and it works great for me

[@PolishLabRat]

This shouldn't be causing your nail plate to flake or peel because alcohol/acetone don't degrade nails in any way. What the dehydration does is show the state of the nail clearly. Just like water and oil hide damage, alcohol and acetone showcase it more. It's likely that something going on on a daily basis is causing the flaking/peeling and it's not the use of acetone/alcohol on the nail once a week.

[@bleeka325]

@@PolishLabRat nope it’s the use of acetone. (Edit: it dries out the nail plate). I had no problems before I started using it and no problems after I stopped. It was the only part of my routine that changed. It doesn’t work for me that’s ok. Washing my hands works for me.

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah it definitely dries out the nail plate, but it's temporary. Of course you should do whatever works for you always as not everyone is the same.

[@animationsdesigning8806]

100% Like your tips ❤

[@PolishLabRat]

Thank u!

[@monicafranzo9378]

I once heard it’s best not to cook after a manicure . Apparently the heat won’t allow the manicure to dry properly .🤷🏻‍♀️It sort of makes sense .

[@PolishLabRat]

I have no idea about this one haha

[@Sbannmarie]

You have such white nails. I’m jealous! Looks so healthy. Also, what’s bed sheet nails?

[@PolishLabRat]

Well, they are white sometimes and sometimes they get stained haha. Bed sheet nails is like when u paint ur nails and go to bed and wake up with all the bed sheets imprinted on ur nails 🤣

[@Sbannmarie]

@@PolishLabRatoh lol!

[@sjoerdpeekstok6023]

The best tips ever! Thank you

[@PolishLabRat]

Ty! 🥰

[@evelynnegron5913]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@PolishLabRat]

You are welcome!🌼

[@adriannahailea3200]

ive been having trouble with my polish chipping, i usually wash my hands after i remove my old polish & before i apply my new polish…should i not be washing the acetone off & just go straight into painting them while theyre dehydrated? i always oil after my mani is dried plus a couple times a day too

[@PolishLabRat]

A quick hand wash is fine as it’s not enough time in water for the nail to absorb it, and you should still dehydrate the nail again before you polish. U can wash ur hands or not, up to u, just always dehydrate before u polish.

[@adriannahailea3200]

@@PolishLabRat okay thank you i will try that & hopefully it helps!

[@adriannahailea3200]

@@PolishLabRat do you use cuticle remover when pushing back your cuticles or can you just do it dry? and then just wipe it off with acetone?

[@christianekrueger9615]

Thanks for that 😍💕

[@PolishLabRat]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@denisenj7648]

I put zipper pulls on my zipper for my jeans after breaking a couple of nails trying to zip up my pants . 😂

[@PolishLabRat]

Great idea! Hahaha

[@mfar3016]

I just started using a base coat, but I still don’t understand what it does. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@PolishLabRat]

Base coat is made to adhere to a naked nail better than nail polish. Think of it like a two sided tape, it adheres great to a naked nail and also nail polish adheres great to it! Also helps prevent staining.

[@sayantaniist]

Very very helpful and informative video ☺️❤..PL suggest long lasting nail polish brands😊

[@PolishLabRat]

The brand is not as important when all other steps shown in this video are completed. We can find for example, OPI to last well for one person and not another, i don't know why that is. So learn the tips in this video and apply them to any brand you want, and see how it performs for you! :)

[@sayantaniist]

@@PolishLabRat okk..try these tips for sure 😁

[@flatline51]

Great video. What's the polish in the thumbnail?

[@PolishLabRat]

Olive Ave Polish “Lantern” - thanks for watching!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@mirabellesmith2010]

Hello I heard you say not putting them in your mouth but my problem is just that I have Invisalign which makes me have to put them in my mouth to get them out

[@PolishLabRat]

I meant as a habit during the day, tapping at teeth, removing something stuck on on the teeth, bitting, etc. Of course what you described with your Invisalign is ok and it won't affect anything haha

[@katherineh2633]

The top coat makes my nail polish chip even more and quicker , no matter what I do nail polish doesn't last longer than a day on my nails, maybe I'm just not suppose to wear it I'm not sure

[@PolishLabRat]

So this is similar to saying that using setting spray makes your make up last less, u know? It's like the total opposite of what should be happening, so I would be curious to troubleshoot this one with you. If you can, DM me on IG. ❤

[@cindyhatfield5892]

Love your videos! Was that your brand of oil for the nails?

[@PolishLabRat]

Hmmm I don’t remember what I used in this video (can’t play it back right now) but I have a collab with shopnbm.com and my scent is called “Ocean Drive” (discount code PLR10 - affiliate). Otherwise any blend that’s jojoba based are my fav to recommend. 🌸😍

[@pamearly6800]

❤Thank you for another great video~Top base coat you recommend please?…Cheers

[@PolishLabRat]

I have some on the “DIY Nail Kit” section of my Amazon store: amazon.com/shop/polish.lab.rat (orly Bonder and Essie couture top coat are a good combo). Also in the caption of this IG post I have some non-amazon options: instagram.com/reel/Co0_GZvvGYY/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[@ruthirwin8222]

Does nail polish dry your nails, i dont like gel

[@PolishLabRat]

It doesn’t dry your nails, no

[@micha7895]

Hi, thanks so much for your tips. Also, maybe you can help me out with a recommendation. I’m looking for an opaque cool toned pale pink polish. So like the cooler version of Essie matter of fiction. Any suggestions are highly appropriated!

[@PolishLabRat]

Yw! Thanks for watching! (I’m not familiar with that Essie, so I couldn’t say - maybe somebody owns and can help and reply to this comment 👍🏼☺️)

[@micha7895]

It’s very similar to Essie Fiji if that helps. Thanks either way ☺️

[@sMak06]

Maybe OPI Hollywood & Vibe or Movie Buff? Or Orly Kaleidoscope Eyes - but that ones kind of more purple 🧐

[@killjoy1209]

Can check out Essie’s Spread Your Wings from last year’s spring collection, description says purple-pink but I just see cool toned baby pink. 👀

[@micha7895]

Thank you all so much! I will check those out 👍

[@jeanettemarkley7299]

Do you not wash the oil off your nails before painting them? I oil my nails but wash my hands and nails well with dish soap and dry them well before doing my manicure.

[@PolishLabRat]

Just don’t oil before you paint 👍🏼 - also, dish soap is super drying. (Of course one hand wash won’t do anything but constantly using it can be harsh on the skin/nails for some people)

[@jeanettemarkley7299]

@@PolishLabRat I only wash with dish soap before polishing to remove oil from my nails. I always oil my cuticles and my whole hand with jojoba oil after my top coat is dry to replenish moisture. My hands are actually very soft because I give them, along with my cuticles an oil at least once a day. Thanks for clarifying.

[@bleeka325]

Dish soap is less drying on the nail than alcohol or acetone

[@kricket3142]

I have dry nails, so I don't wash the oil off before painting. I let the oil soak in for about 15 minutes or so, then I'll take a paper towel and rub each nail to remove any excess, then I'll start painting my nails. My mani can last for about a week. I learned this tip from the Nail Board on Makeupalley many years ago lol!

[@jessielanka]

If you’re oiling your nails all the time, how do you keep yourself from transferring oil to your clothes, work surfaces, everything in life?

[@moni.5]

❤️

[@mfar3016]

What is bedsheet nails?

[@PolishLabRat]

When you paint your nails, go to sleep, and the next morning all the bed sheet lines are imprinted on your nail polish hahaha

[@hpierce21]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@PolishLabRat]

❤️🌼

[@BANDAIRMA]

Cute. Don’t eat the world around you. 😂

[@PolishLabRat]

😂😂😂

[@blxejellybean]

This is great! I don’t like gel nails which is why I want my „normal“ nail polish to last as long as possible. 🥹 Already doing the base and top coat and trying to be extra careful with overpainting, but the dehydration is new to me! I‘ll definitely try. Do you think nail polish remover with acetone would be enough to dehydrate the nail? Also, do you apply oils when the nails are painted or only before a repaint? Thank you so much ✨

[@PolishLabRat]

Don’t use a remover with acetone, use only pure acetone or alcohol. Most removers that are not just pure acetone, contains oils and moisturizers to make them feel nicer, and this goes against the point of dehydration of the nail plate. Oil is a maintenance thing, daily. Not before u paint tho.

[@lovecostpain]

yep im doing all of this but after less then 24h my nail polish is chipping off :(

[@PolishLabRat]

DM me on IG, I can try to help but I have further questions and YT comments is not a good conversation place lol