Beautifully manicured nails polish off any look but keeping your mani chip-free and looking fresh is not as easy as it sounds. Strong, healthy nails are key – and that means looking after them inside and out.
“Having a diet high in protein and taking supplements such as vitamin C or silica daily will help strengthen nails from the inside,” says Fiona Hay, celebrity manicurist and Orly ambassador.
“On the outside, apply cuticle oil daily and use a protein strengthener as often
as possible.”
Your mani is also a great way to keep up with beauty trends without resorting to dramatic make-up looks that might not be entirely suitable … or appropriate.
This season, the must-have nail shades are opaque nudes, rich forest and emerald greens, and deep reds.
Nail art is also one of the most coveted beauty accessories of the year. If you’re not a fan of complicated designs, Hay recommends trying understated details such as half-moon manicures, feature nails in a contrast colour, or combining textures such as matte and gloss by using a matte top coat.
And what about the secret to that chip-free mani? Hay recommends sealing each coat of polish by brushing across the tip of the nail.
“This will ensure that moisture will not get between the layers of polish, and the tips won’t lift causing chips,” she says.
