huffingtonpost - 9 hours ago

Waiting 15 to 20 minutes for your nails to dry in the salon is only the beginning of the waiting period.The colour is exquisite. The nail art is sublime. You step out the door of the salon, reach for your keys and – whoops, there goes your perfect manicure. A good salon manicure (the traditional polish kind, not the gel kind) can last as long as a week, but you can wreck it in just a few seconds if you aren’t careful. Professional nail artists have seen it all, and they’ve got some smart tips for keeping nails in tip-top shape.How Long To Sit Tight In The SalonOnce the manicure is done, you’ll be tempted to dash out and get on with your day, but don’t do it. Thea Green, founder of British beauty brand Nails.Inc, said, “Plan to sit for at least 15 to 20 minutes after your manicure is finished. That’s usually enough for polish to be touch-dry, but not fully set. I always say: ‘Dry to the touch doesn’t mean dent-proof.’”As Green noted, those minutes of sitting are only the beginning, and it will take some time before you’re completely in the clear. “Even though the polish may look dry on the surface, it actually takes several hours to fully cure,” said nail artist Britney Tokyo.How To Pregame The Polishing Before polish is applied, get your game plan for leaving in place. If you wore a coat or jacket into the salon, put it on now. But wait, there’s more, according to Julie Ventura, Orly Beauty’s global education manager: “Pay for your manicure before polish is applied to avoid rummaging in your purse,” she said. “And if you drove to the salon, get your keys out so you’re ready to go.”What To Do For The Next Hour (Or So)This is the time to be super aware of your newly gorgeous hands, and to treat them accordingly. You might not realise how much you use your nails as tools, not jewels, as the pros say, until you’re faced with a fresh manicure and a cold can of soda that you’d like to enjoy. “The first few hours are when smudges, dents and chips happen most,” Green said. Here’s how to manoeuvre in the world with a new manicure, Ventura said: “Try to use the pads of your fingers rather than letting anything come into contact with your nails.” The ‘Hateful 8’ Things That Ruin Your Manicure Investment Here’s a quick expert list of the most smudge-prone post-manicure behaviours that you should avoid in the few hours after your appointment:Digging in a purse or bag, which these experts agreed is the most common smudge-causing mistake. “Metal — like keys or handles — is especially harsh and can scratch glossy finishes,” Green said.Hot water: “I recommend avoiding super hot water for a few hours,” said nail artist Jenny Bui.Using nails as tools: “Don’t peel labels, pop open cans or scratch surfaces,” Green said.Going to sleep: Even if that relaxing manicure has worn you out, be vigilant, the experts said. “’Sheet marks’ are a real thing,” Green said. “If you have a late-night manicure, be careful, because fabric imprints happen when polish isn’t fully dried.” “Pushing buttons too hard, like elevators and phones, can smudge fresh nails,” Bui said.“Don’t put your hands into tight pockets,” Tokyo said.“Opening boxes messes up my nails the most easily,” said nail artist Bana Jarjour. “Even changing sheets can cause smudges,” Jarjour added.Products That Might HelpYou may be able to request a product that will help speed up the drying. “Quick-dry drops, sprays and even fast-dry topcoats can make a big difference,” Bui said. “I personally love using a high-quality quick-dry topcoat, because it provides shine and protection while reducing drying time. For clients who can’t sit long, that’s my go-to.”“Lately, I’ve been recommending a polish brand called Dazzle Dry,” Tokyo said. “It fully hardens much faster than traditional polish, which is a big advantage. The application method is a little different from regular polish, and because the products are more expensive, only certain salons carry it.”If The Worst HappensIf you’ve gone ahead and smudged that great look, never fear, because fixes are possible. “A great hack is to get a drop of acetone on the pad of your finger and quickly but gently pat the smudge out before the acetone evaporates,” Ventura said. “Repeat until it’s smooth again.”“For chips, fill it in like a patch job instead of redoing the whole nail,” Bui said. “But if it’s really bad, sometimes it’s best to start fresh on that one finger.”Related...Gel Manicures Look Good, But What s The Damage To Your Nails?This Budget-Friendly K-Beauty Glossy Lip Tint Is A Staple In My Makeup BagI Tried The Skin-Renewing SPF Dua Lipa Takes On Holiday – And My Skin s Never Been Happier

Latest News

Hashtags:   

Manicurists

 | 

Reveal

 | 

Worst

 | 

Things

 | 

Leave

 | 

Salon

 | 

Sources