If you've spent a great deal of time and effort preparing and polishing your nails so they look fabulous, you should put forth just as much effort in maintaining and caring for your manicure.
Painted nails look best when they are shiny and freshly polished.
Once nail polish starts to chip, crack or flake it detracts from the glamorous look you started with.
Keeping your nails and cuticles looking their best simply means knowing when and how to apply touch ups, and when to start fresh.
While applying your polish to your nails, be sure to wait about five to ten minutes between coats.
This allows the finish to harden and will prevent pulling or smudging.
Applying layers too quickly means the polish itself takes longer to dry, which is why nails end up creased or smudged.
A little nail polish remover on a cotton swab is a great way to spot touch any minor mistakes.
If you've painted onto the cuticle or the edge of your finger, gently dab it away.
A small chip in your nail polish can usually be covered by applying an extra coat to the nail.
Do one or two layers over the chipped area, then apply a full coat to the entire nail to keep everything looking smooth and seamless.
After about a week it's time for a fresh coat.
Fingernails are constantly growing, so it's important to remove old polish before it looks haggard.
Furthermore, it's important to give your nails a little air, which they don't get if they are constantly covered with nail polish.
When you are preparing to apply a new coat, that's the best time to shape, file and trim your nails.
Don't forget to push back or trim your cuticles as needed.
Applying a little oil or moisturizer to the clean nail and cuticle will keep your nails richly hydrated and strong.
Of-course, we can't forget the best advice for beautiful nails: no chewing and no biting!