Getting More Mileage Out of Your Manicure
Ask any woman what activities are most likely to ruin a manicure and you’ll probably find the following at or near the top of the list: Searching through handbag to find keys, unlocking car door, fastening baby into car seat, locking car door, fastening seat belt, pumping gas. Fancy fingernails and automobiles obviously don’t mix. And, unfortunately, emergency road service won’t respond to fix broken fingernails and chipped polish.
* Chipped polish: Don’t remove all the enamel. Instead, stroke enamel over chipped area only
and allow to dry. Then polish entire nail, stroking from base to tip. Let dry. Apply top coat.
* Smudged nail: Use the pad of your index finger to dab a drop of non-acetone polish remover over the smudged area. Let dry, then apply top coat or a new coat of enamel if necessary.
* Broken nails: Broken acrylic nails leave a ragged edge that must be filed smooth before repairs can be made. Your manicurist probably uses a tiny electric sander, but in an emergency, a heavy-duty emery board will do. If the tip of your natural nail snaps off, attach a fake nail tip with nail glue, file smooth and polish.
* For the long haul: If travel forces you to miss your regular manicure appointment, you might consider a shorter nail length and shape that is more easily maintained. Ask your manicurist to show you the correct way to file rough edges.
* Splits and tears: Apply nail glue to damaged area. File smooth and repolish entire nail. Or keep paper, linen or silk nail-mending tape in your cosmetic bag. Tear off tape to the length of split, plus 1/8-inch beyond tip of nail to tuck.
Self-stick tape can be pressed in place and the excess tucked under the nail. Other kinds must be glued on with nail glue. File area to smooth. Brush on base coat, enamel and top coat. Mended nails need a fresh top coat applied every day for extra protection and to keep them smooth and glossy.
If you are stuck without mending tape, use a piece of tea bag or coffee filter paper. Remove old polish and gently file nail top to create a slightly rough surface. Smooth on a dab of glue. Place just enough paper on the nail to cover the tear. Top with a little more glue; let dry, then file to smooth. Apply base coat, enamel and top coat. * Using polish remover: To avoid getting remover on other nails, use the knuckles of your index and middle fingers to grip a cotton ball and moisten it with remover. Wipe over damaged nail surface and redo enamel.
