I know this isn’t the most appropriate place but it is the most popular community that might have an opinion so here I am…

The black nail polish I have kinda sucks. It starts to crack after a couple days and it’s finished after a week. My wife’s non-black polish lasts like 2 weeks or so and still looks great.

Any recommendations?

  • itchick2014 [Ohio]English
    10•1 year ago

    Where is it cracking and do you use a base and top coat? I have found that application has more to do with longevity than brand. Also, do you push the cuticles back and put nail polish remover on your nail before you polish to remove any oil?

    I would try these things and see if things improve. Make sure to top coat around the tip of the nail and quickly remove any overbrushing on the skin so it doesn’t peel from there.

    • @hollyberries@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      11•1 year ago

      THIS. Painting nails is like painting anything else - prep is 90% of the work. Note: I do not use a nail buffer at all until the end. I find that the surface becomes too smooth for polish to stick to, so I use it only for a finishing touch.

      Here’s my process:

      1. Clean hands and nails well with a bar soap that doesn’t have moisturiser. Cheap brands are best and make things literally squeak.
      2. Prep the nail bed with a nailpolish remover that doesn’t have moisturiser. Bonus points if non scented, as perfumes contain oils.
      3. Dry them off well with a paper towel.
      4. Paint one semi heavy layer of base coat.
      5. Paint two medium layers of polish.
      6. Paint one thin layer of top coat, wait for it to dry fully and clean up any mistakes.
      7. Use the nail buffer to smooth out any imperfections.
      8. Paint a normal layer of high gloss clear coat.

      My usual products:

      KIKO strengthening base coat
      essie polish
      essie top coat
      Rimmel 60 second super shine top coat

      My black polish is quite cute, its essie Liquorice

      EDIT: I finish with essie cuticle oil after everything has completely dried and hardened.

      Also, another note: As stated above, capping the nail helps prevent chipping from the tips of the nails

      EDIT 2: formatting