Women who enjoy color enhanced fingers and toes are always searching for a reliable, affordable product, a no chip nail polish that delivers everything in one package:  great color, staying power, and ease of application and removal.  While many brands exist, spanning the price gamut, the feature most sought after, regardless of price, is staying power or the ability to last more than a couple of days. This site is dedicated to finding great nail polishes and addressing issues like non-chip products. With easy-access articles offering tips to make anyone’s nails exciting and hassle-free, consider it the definitive source for nail polish questions and guidance.

Brands That Promote Non Chipping Qualities

Before discussing cost effectiveness of more expensive nail polish, note that the ability to resist chipping is usually also most promoted by these costlier brands. While any brand can call itself chip resistant, it is more believable with higher end products, nonetheless, and somewhat justified by their usage of better ingredients. Thus, while really cheap polishes do not generally make such claims, it is not unusual to find $10 plus products that make it a selling point. Moreover, while some better brands may only be purchased in cosmetic specialty stores like Sephora or high-end department stores, many are available on the Internet. Further, some manufacturers only distribute to nail salons, another purchase source.

Better brands include Estee Lauder, Minx, Deborah Lippmann, and others like Shellac, OPI, Essie, Barielle, and L’Oreal. All aspire to deliver fabulous chip resistant features, traits expected by shoppers when spending considerably more than required for notably less expensive brands begging for attention. However, regardless of brand, there are some factors that influence everyone’s nail polish wearing experience. Consequently, there may not be one best nail polish, but one that is best personally for each individual.

Factors Influencing Individual Nail Polish Wear or Staying Power

• How one uses one’s hands in everyday life, unless applying polish strictly for special occasions
•  Moisture content in skin and nails, as those with dry skin and brittle nails will experience more problems with chipping, cracking
•  Climate one lives in:  the dryer the climate, the more it dries out skin and nails, subsequently aiding polish cracking, chipping
•  Time spent with hands in water, if not well dried and moisturized
•  Quality of polish purchased
•  Method of application

While buying a better, though not necessarily the most expensive, polish available should prove more cost effective, overall, than the cheapest brands, the above factors contribute to better wear and less chipping for any decent quality brand. The last one is especially significant for chipping problems.

Steps To Follow To Prevent Chipping When Applying Polish

While salons use good products and methods, delivering more lasting results than usual, there has been a great deal of buzz about the No Chip Manicure some are promoting.  Using gels that can last 2-3 weeks and dried or cured with UV lamps, it has exemplified cutting edge technology since early 2010. However, a downside is that removal can be difficult. While extremely chip resistant, it is best applied and removed at a salon. However, with careful attention and a UV light, one can do their own nails with this approach. First, learn how to do it, though.

If wishing to stick to traditional polishes and methods of application, buy a good product, in the mid-price range, at least. More fashionable colors will likely be offered, as well as same brand top and base coats discussed below that make all the difference in attaining lasting results. There will be less chipping and less staining with dark colors, also, if the following steps are followed:

•  Begin with clean, dry nails, smoothly filed without stray edges.
•  Apply a base coat and let dry completely; combination base/top coats work well for both base and top coats.  Try to stick with same brand as selected color or get one that is comparably priced, not cheaper.
•  Apply one color coat; let dry completely, at least 5 minutes.
•  Apply a second color coat, also let dry thoroughly.
•  Follow with a top coat, or combination base/top; allow thorough drying. Drying should never be rushed for any step.

Crackle polishes may also be used over non-chip formulas, either clear or colored, to give a mosaic effect. For better wear with less chance of chipping, try a clear top coat over the crackle effect, especially if recommended by the manufacturer.

Everyone Can Have Fashionable Polished Nails

With so many wonderful products available, do not shy away from using nail polish, thinking it will only chip quickly.  Rather, for polish finishes that last, buy mid- upper priced brands with chip resistant qualities. The better durability of these polishes, along with healthier ingredients, clearly make them more cost efficient.

Finally, by taking time to follow the smart application steps above, one can benefit personally from the many excellent products made today that do not easily flake or chip. Undoubtedly, it is worthwhile to spend a little more money and time to achieve fashionable looking nails, selecting the best no chip nail polish for each individual’s unique lifestyle.