Best Nail Polish - Not All Polishes Are Created Equal

If I had a dollar for every time a client sat in my chair for the first time and said that polish never stays on her nails, I would be a rich woman. I have convinced many a skeptic that it is possible for nail polish to last more then a day. It just takes some time and a little trial and error.

Did you ever notice that different polishes have different consistencies? For example you may use a polish that is very liquid and runny, or the polish may be thick and hard to work with. The consistency, or viscosity , of a polish is very important in how that polish works. If a polish is too thin it may not last, too thick and it may chip quickly.

When choosing a polish, not only is the color important, but what you use as a base and top coat as well. In fact the base coat and top coat can make a huge difference. When I do a client with natural nails, if they are not on a program (like nailtiques or develop ten) I almost always use a bonder. It helps the polish stay better and is thin so it doesn't add much to the overall thickness. If you are having a hard time getting polish to adhere to the nail properly try a bonder base coat first. There are many different brands on the market you can try.

While I use a bonder base coat for natural nails, I usually go for a ridge filler on nail enhancements (tips, acrylics, gels). It lays a nice foundation for the polish to be applied to. Enhancements usually keep the polish on very well and do not require the help of the base coat.

When choosing color I do prefer nail polishes that are called lacquers. They are a little thicker in consistency and tend to stay a little better for most people. However if you are have problems with excessive chipping and the bonder base coat is not helping, I suggest using a regular (thinner) polish.

When it comes to the top coat always choose one that has some sort of quick drying properties in it. I like a medium consistency for my top coat. If the top coat is too thick it will not dry properly and will make the nails look clumpy. On the other hand if you use a top coat that is too thin it may not protect the polish properly. A happy medium seem to yield the best results, so go for a topcoat that dries quickly and throw it out when it becomes to thick.