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•6 months 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•6 months 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

      • @iheartneopetsEnglish
        4•6 months ago

        Saving this comment, thank you so much for all your tips!!

      • thelastknowngodOPEnglish
        2•6 months ago

        Thanks for this. Gotta step up my game apparently. haha

    • CharlesReed
      2•6 months ago

      Is Holo Taco a good polish in general? I see their ads a lot and have considered trying them out.

  • @klemptor@lemmy.mlEnglish
    1•6 months ago

    ILNP has a crème one-coater black called Ink. For me, the formulas in that collection can last up to 9 days with the right prep.

    Prep really is essential. You could ask your wife to share her method, or alternatively, here’s my routine:

    • Using a strengthening remover, remove any nail polish already on your nails.
    • Generously apply cuticle oil to your cuticles; make sure you really rub it in.
    • Use a glass nail file to shape your nails and a glass cuticle stick to gently push back your cuticles. Germanikure makes really great products.
    • Using 100% acetone and a q-tip or cotton ball, clean your nail bed. Avoid getting the acetone on your skin.
    • If your nails are weak, consider using a nail strengthening treatment. If my nails become weak or start to peel, I use Rejuvacote 2. But if your nails are in good shape, you can skip this step.
    • Apply one layer of base coat. I like Orly Bonder.
    • Once your base coat is dry, apply your nail color. One-coater polishes can be applied in a single layer, neither thin nor thick. Other polishes should be applied in thin layers, waiting for each layer to dry before applying the next layer. Cap the end of each nail (i.e., be sure to paint the free edge of your nail, not just the top).
    • Use acetone and an angled brush to immediately clean up any places where you paint “outside the lines”.
    • Apply a thick layer of top coat, again being sure to cap the nail. You’ll want a quick-dry topcoat because otherwise you’ll be waiting forever for it to dry and will probably still wake up with sheet imprints on your nails. I’ve been struggling to find a top coat I really love. Seche Vive is doing pretty well for me but the bottle is new, so we’ll see if it gets gloopy halfway through. Make sure you get Seche Vive, not Seche Vite. Seche Vite dries super quick and has a nice finish, but it causes nail polish shrinkage which is annoying.
    • After your polish has fully set and dried, apply cuticle oil again. I personally apply it after washing my hands every time, especially now that it’s getting colder outside.

    Lastly: no standard polish or top coat will save your nails if you’re rough on them, so consider using gloves to wash dishes, don’t open cans with your fingernails, etc. Another option is gel polish, which is practically indestructible, but most casual nail polish wearers don’t apply or remove it themselves, they go to a salon. But it’ll last you a few weeks, more or less depending on how fast your nails grow.

    Good luck!