9 Quick Tips That Will Make Your Mani-Pedis Healthier and Longer-Lasting

There are few things more cathartic than having your hands and feet pampered at the salon or blocking out time to carefully paint them yourself. The process forces you to put down the phone, focus on one thing and treat yourself to a little sparkle (or color, depending on your style). Rigid rules would definitely take the fun and relaxation out of a mani-pedi sesh, but there are a few manicure and pedicure tips that will keep your nails healthier and extend the length of your paint job.

Play Nice with Your Cuticles

According to Skyy Hadley, celebrity manicurist and owner of As U Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, NJ, and Blink Beauty Boutique in Harlem, NY, one of the biggest misconceptions about mani-pedis is that the cuticles have to be trimmed or cut off completely.

“Trimming or cutting cuticles is purely cosmetic and sometimes doesn’t even benefit the nail in any way,” she says. “It’s important to remember that the cuticle is the barrier to protect the surrounding skin and help protect the nail from infections.”

Push them back if you must, but they’re there for a reason.

Don’t Forget the Other Side

Understandably so, we’re more concerned with the top part of our nail—especially if we’re doing them at home—but don’t forget about the bottom.

“When cutting your nails, always make sure that you clean under the nail,” says Hadley. “Otherwise, bacteria could form.” Also, keep your clipping supplies separate. Keep one reserved for your fingers and the other for your toes.

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Match Your Nail Shape and Cuticle

Ever been stuck on how exactly to cut your nails? If you’re unsure of what shape they should be—whether round, square or a mix of the two—just look at your cuticles.

“The U-shape of the cuticle should be reflected (upside down) by the top of your nail. The primary goal is to mirror the shape,” says Hadley.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Contrary to popular belief, cuticle oil shouldn’t be an optional part of nail care. According to Hadley, not only does it keep your feet and hands soft and moisturized; it also keeps your nail polish from chipping, too.

Don’t Forget Your Base

A base coat helps to give the color something to sink into besides your actual nails, and it prevents the nails from getting stained. You only need one coat of this and should wait at least a minute before applying color on top. There’s no need to wait until it’s completely dry.

Seal the Top

In addition to sealing in color, a top coat is what gives your mani-pedi its shine and luster. Again, give your color (which you can have two layers of if the color is light or transparent) 60 seconds to settle before adding just one top coat. Wait 2-3 days if you want to add a second.

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Avoid Heat

Try not to handle any blow-dryers or hot ovens right after painting your nails. “Most people don’t know, but nail polish takes about 12 hours to harden,” says Hadley. “Too much heat can actually melt your polish. If you stick your nails in cold water for a few minutes, it will actually help harden your nail polish faster.”

Stay Away from Scents

Scented lotions with synthetic fragrances can cause your nail polish to crack. Make sure to use lotions that are unscented if you need to moisturize.

Gel Should Always Be Short-Term

Be careful with gel manicures. You should really only keep the gel and/or acrylic nails on for two weeks, but the cut-off would be three weeks. It’s not good to keep them on any longer, as they will damage the nail beds and cuticles. Expired polish will also make an infection more likely.

“There are nail polishes that actually don’t have a shelf life, like organic nail polishes, which can actually be kept in the fridge if you choose,” says Hadley. “However, polishes that contain chemicals like toluene and formaldehyde should be replaced every 6 months as a good rule of thumb.”

Ahead, some of today’s best nail care essentials.

Dr. Jart+.

Dr. Jart+ Dermask Hand Hydrating Mask

Take 20 minutes to luxuriate and treat your hands to a salon-inspired mask.

$12 at Sephora

essie.

essie Treat Love & Color Metallics Nail Polish & Strengthener

Every color in this treatment polish is infused with collagen and camellia extract to repair the nails in as little as one week.

$10 at Ulta

Londontown.

Londontown Kur Illuminating Nail Concealer

Manicure after manicure can leave your nail beds looking yellow and dull. This iridescent veil handles color correction, in addition to delivering antioxidants to the nail bed and surrounding skin.

$18 at Ulta

Londontown.

Londontown Kur Soft Touch Nail Scrub

Use this in-between manicures to buff away dead skin, soften cuticles, and hydrate the skin around your nail beds.

$18 at Ulta

Nails Inc.

Nails Inc. Nail Polish Rapid Remover Pot

A vegan, peppermint-scented polish remover that also promotes growth.

$14 at Amazon

Pacifica.

Pacifica Prime + Protect Nourishing Undercoat

This multitasking nail treatment can be used once a week or as a base coat to strengthen the nail beds and give them a healthy-looking luster.

$12 at Ulta

The Sign Tribe.

The Sign Tribe Remove & Chill Nail Polish Eraser Cream

If you’re turned off by the strong smell of acetone or non-acetone nail polish remover, this oil-infused cream gently removes old polish, while leaving your nail beds shiny and moisturized.

$14.99 at Ulta

Tweezerman.

Tweezerman Pushy & Nail Cleaner

A stainless steel tool for pushing down the cuticles and cleaning around the nail.

$18 at Ulta

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