We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Self here on POPSUGAR Fitness.
More than most things in life, nail art is a fun way to look the part. It’s the perfect excuse to take your best nude polish from the afternoon news and transform into a lemon-drunk aficionado wearing gothic blue nails. And with the right technique and care, our fave manicures can truly be used to both impress the other women at our Friday night games and take a backseat to the dog next door when you’re catching up with your personal trainers.
To make sure your nails are shiny, supple, and ready for an all-nighter, we spoke with certified nail technician Elvira Tovey, of New York City-based Elvira Nails & Skin Care. The 16-year industry veteran shared that here are a few essential nails tips you may not have known. Keep reading for more.
1. Make Sure They’re Prepared for Their Own Roomy Cups. Once you’re done, you’ll be sticking your nails in between two coffee cups — the type of place that will naturally take a hit on your nails. Make sure they’re never dirty; instead, you’ll want to use polish that is both highly pigmented and breathable — hopefully, the ones you buy have both.
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2. Know When to Skip the Nail Polish. Many women regret putting polish on their nails, and that’s okay! “Don’t do nail polish on every single nail,” Elvira said. “We get this question a lot.” Instead, use the evening to create new colors that you can have in your hands for the weekend.
3. Avoid the Immediate Unexpected. Think ahead! Just because your skin is fine for acrylic nail art and feel it will be easier to bathe and moisturize, doesn’t mean it’ll be more comfortable for painting it to the max the next day. Elvira’s advice? “Use a little less polish! Also, make sure it is a concentration of polish — otherwise you could irritate your nail as well as your skin,” she said.
4. Keep Things Dry in the Kitchen. If you’re on the go between family dinners and business meetings, make sure you don’t squeeze too much polish onto your talons. “If you have nails that are excessively dry, it could cause a rattle sound when you twist them,” Elvira said. “Use a nail polish buffer to make sure.”
5. You Are Not a Tan Mom. Everyone can still understand a bumpy ride. But mixing in a matte coral nail color to your nail lacquer in the middle of a city is definitely not going to endear you to those remaining family members.
6. The Right Nail Protector Can Make All the Difference. Because some manicures can dry so quickly, Elvira suggests keeping your polish around longer by using a wrap-style cushion above and below the nail to help prevent cracking. When this gets too slick, try a simple spritz of Vaseline instead.
7. Give Your Hands a Little Break. Laying down the sheets doesn’t always mean the end of an evening of independence. “I like to help the ladies get dressed in the morning, and sometimes I’ll give them a little bit of a break and take a shower in between,” Elvira said. “It’s awesome to not be trapped in the house!”
8. Make Sure Your Gel Gloves Work for Your Hands. “You want to make sure they stay wet when washing them,” Elvira said. “Let them air dry and let them soak in warm water, then brush them with a clean pair of socks.”
9. Experiment With Your Nail Wraps. Make sure you’re mixing up your nail wraps to maximize the color choice. “Just because your nails look worn when you have a gel wrap on, doesn’t mean they’ll last longer — it’s just that you can keep them clean,” Elvira said.
10. The Less You Sprinkle Water On, the Better. You don’t want to be in a rush to get to the bathroom and add a little bit of toothpaste to your nail, are you?
11. Sign Up For Acrylic Microwave Tech To Save Time. Just know that a lot of acrylics don’t wash well — they can turn super greasy within a few days. That’s why every week, Elvira recommends swapping out gel for acrylic and vice versa.
12. Use the Perfect Piling Technique. Put a spritz of mineral oil — our favorite by far — on each foot to help your nails look more matte.
13. Don’t Use Your Nails To Paint Your Hair. “When you’re painting your hair, cuticles are always going to be an
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