Nothing is worse than getting a fresh manicure and ruining it just a few days later. I have consistently had my nails done since 7th grade (kind of insane!) and over the many years I have found a few ways to make my manicure last as long as possible.

use a cotton swab with alcohol to make sure the base of your nails is clean before applying any polish
apply a base coat to your nails and for an extra layer of protection, add a second coat of base coat to the tip of your nails
Instead of shaking your nail polish up and down, roll it between your hands and this will get rid of any bubbles that shaking might have caused. If you paint your nails and air bubbles appear, they’ll chip faster.
Apply two layers of your go-to polish, mine is Ballet Slippers from Essie. Wait for them to dry then move on to your top coat. I apply the top coat and re-apply every 2-3 days to give it an added boost of protection. I also paint along the end of the nail to seal or cover it in so polish doesn’t chip back on the tips.
When washing your hands, try not to rub over your nails. A lot of antibacterial soaps and ingredients will chip your freshly done manicure.
While you’re at it, also apply a hand cream or cuticle oil to keep your nails hydrated so they don’t chip.
If you are cleaning at home, put on a pair of gloves before diving into your dirty dishes. Strong dish soap will ruin that manicure so fast!

If all these tips still don’t help your manicure last longer, m...