10 Reasons Your Christmas Manicure Doesn’t Last (And How To Make it Stay Festive Longer)

Ah, like how you feel when you finally get a Christmas mani done? There’s just something about having your holiday vibes painted nails that makes you feel more merry and bright! However, how annoying is it when your Christmas manicure starts to chip or wear before you’ve even gotten a chance to showcase it? Super frustrating, right? Don’t stress though! A lot of the time, your nails don’t last long for many common reasons… Luckily, we have a few simple tricks to keep your merry mani lasting longer than the average Christmas carol, from now until the ball drops!

1. Washing Your Hands Before a Manicure

So, you sit down to get your nails done and are like “Oo got to wash my hands first? But the catch is, when you wash your hands right before your manicure that can actually jack up the entire process. Why? Does that matter, you ask: Yes, it does because when you wash your hands soap, water and even oils from your skin can stay on your nails. If you have any residue left over, this can stop the polish from bonding correctly so it might not adhere as strongly, and then chip way faster than you want.

It seems like a smart move, right? Wrong Save the hand wash for post-polish opp.

Pro Tip: Clean your nails with a faster alternative to soap and water prior to your manicure like a simple nail cleanser or even an alcohol wipe. It will cleanse all the natural oils, dirt, and residue located on your nail and leave no oily residue behind so that your polish can go on the best wealth of time as well as smoothly.

2. You’re Always Using Hand Sanitizer

After all by now we’ve pretty much all become hand sanitizer experts, huh? Like, it’s the new essential. However, all that sanitizer use has a downside your nails could be taking the hit. This works to keep all germs at bay, however, kill the liquor in sanitizer can dry out your nails which could cause them to break more often. The worst part is, brittle dry nails just means even if you do manage to get your nails painted your white colour, it ain’t gonna last! So go from this, to all of a sudden your holiday nails are chipping and you are wondering what the heck happened!

If your polish is fading quick, the more you’re using sanitizer, the quicker yours might fade as well. So, what can you do about it?

Pro Tip: Apply a little hand cream after, to give your hands and nails some well-deserved moisture. This seals in some moisture and prevents nails from becoming overly dry or brittle. Moisturised nails are strong nails, and strong healthy nails will hold a manicure well. The one trick is a very simple element that helps sooooo many!

3. Your Nails Aren’t Hydrated Enough

Have your nails begun to feel brittle, or snap more frequently than usual? Yeah, it’s not just you. Chips, cracks and piecey polish are more common on dry nails. The issue is your manicure isn’t going anywhere if your nails are dry… even if you try following through with this step. Sort of like painting over a cracked and dry surface… the polish does not create an even coat as it doesn’t have that clean base to stick to.

If you moisturize your face and body, you should be doing the same for your nails. It is vital to keep these well moisturized to help your manicure last and to make sure it looks flawlessly put together.

Pro Tip: Apply a moisturizing nail oil or thick hand cream everyday. This will help ensure your nails stay hydrated and healthy, so your festive manicure should be set to go on for the long haul. Believe me, there is a big difference in how long your nail polish stays and how your nails feel!

4. You Don’t Use Gloves When Washing Dishes

Doing the dishes, we all know it to be a menial chore and not so glamorous… but someone has got to do it, right? But, when you wash dishes without gloves… your precious nails are falling apart. After all, hot water, harsh detergents, plain exposure to water of any kind can completely undo a great manicure. Over time, that can lead to peeling, cracking, or fading polish. That is not the Xmas nails you have been looking for!

So, while one cannot escape the chore of dishwashing (if you are fortunate to have someone do it), there is a solution.

Pro Tip: Invest in a pair of adorable rubber gloves to protect your cute nails when you must wash the dishes! They not only protect your nails from water and chemicals but they will also keep your polish pretty for longer. And who said doing chores would get in the way of style?

5. Your Hands Are Exposed to Heat

Perhaps you sit by the fire and sip on hot cocoa, or maybe you are cooking up a storm for your holiday dinner. This sounds like the optimal holiday feel. BUT (yes there is, unfortunately, a big but) that same heat can also make your manicure harder to manage. From the heat of a fire or from your stove, extreme temperatures can affect the flexibility of nails making them easier to crack or lift. That comfy fire you are enjoying… well your nails are keeping a secret from us all….

Heat can soften your nails and make them more prone to damage, so it’s best to give them some extra care.

Pro Tip: Minimise the amount of heat your hands come into contact with. If you just did your nails, have them dry completely before allowing any heat near them. It will help your mani stay put through all the holiday moments!

6. Your Diet is Missing Essential Nutrients

That is why, although it sounds like a stretch, your diet has a great effect on your nails. Your nails are more apt to be chipped or cracked if they do not receive enough vitamins and minerals. The good news: beautiful nails are made from the inside out. It’s also possible that even the best polish simply doesn’t last as long on you if you’re not getting proper nutrition into your body.

So, if you’re looking to have nails that stay strong and stunning, your diet has to be part of the equation.

Pro Tip: Also, consume foods which are a good source of biotin, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are a bonafide shot-in-the-arm for your nails to make them stronger, healthier and keep that pretty manicure looking fresh for as long as possible. Opt for 2–3 additional servings of egg, nut, leafy greens and fatty fish (salmon anyone?) to your meals, for nails strong and ready to shimmy!

7. You Lead an Active Lifestyle

Frequent movement, whether you’re pumping iron or running errands or just typing away on your computer all day, can also work against your nails. With no stops and gos, the continuous movement in your day to day life is rough on your nails and can cause the perfect manicure you spent forever creating to fade faster than you would like. Not to mention that, if you are cleaning or doing other things with rough materials, your polish can suffer a lot.

So, it’s not just about getting your nails done – it’s about how you protect them throughout your day.

Pro Tip: If you are going to be doing something that can put excess stress on your nails- i.e. heavy lifting or typing, using a stronger top coat will give an extra layer of protection. Or, maybe you can just let your nails breath if things are that hectic for you right now in life. This allows your nails to breathe and contains nutrients that help keep them strong until your next mani!

8. You Try to Blow-Dry Your Nails

I know we have all done it blowing on our nails to help them dry faster. However, this will cause smudging and uneven drying. May want to do that, but it’s not a long-lasting mani. When you blow on your nails, you also add moisture from your breath to the polish, meaning it stays soft and is going to be more susceptible to dings or smudges.

So, as tempting as it may be, don’t blow on your nails – just let them dry properly.

Pro Tip: Air dry as much as possible for best results ◡̈ If you are short on time, try using a fast drying top coat or nail dryer to help speed up dry times without ruining your manicure. But even when it has a slight learning curve, a little bit of patience can go a looooooooong way towards a streak-free finish!

9. Your Nail Beds Are Too Oily

If you have naturally oilier nail beds, then you are more likely to experience fussy polish that doesn’t adhere properly.Before you apply your polish, try wiping your nails with an alcohol wipe. This little step helps remove excess oils and gives the polish a better chance to bond to your nails, which means it’ll last longer.

It’s a simple trick that can make a big difference in how your manicure holds up It is a common trick

Pro Tip: If your nails are particularly oily, you might give them a good buff before polishing too. When you buff, you are removing any oils and creating a more solid/firm surface for the polish to grab onto. Those were my tips for achieving an at-home manicure that lasts and try to don’t forget the base coat, it will act as a protective barrier keeping your nails chip free during time!

10. Your Salon Might Not Be the Best Fit

But then again, all nail salons are not created equally! Often, the products they utilize may be best quality and the technique not as precise. This can result in a manicure that does not last as long as you would PREFER. The polish might even chip or peel too soon this can be frustrating after all the time and money you put into your nails.

Plus, if the salon isn’t following proper sanitation practices, it can lead to other issues like infections or irritation.

Pro Tip: Look for a nail salon that you can trust, with talented technicians who use good products. It can play a big part in how long your manicure will last or hold up. To ensure your nails look fresh for at least a couple of weeks, find yourself a great salon today!

If you have identified the common reasons why your Christmas manicure fades away, it is time for you to do something about them. There is no magic potion for this, ritual are what keep your nails looking holiday ready year round. Merry Christmas and may your nails remain perfect throughout your upcoming Christmas parties!

What color nails for Christmas?

To make for a more festive vibe, popular colors for Christmas nails are:

Classic Red

• An all-time Christmas go-to that spreads holiday vibes.
• Opt for fiery reds for drama or bring in the luxurious feel with deep crimson shades.

Green

• In homage to Christmas trees and wreaths.
• A hot trend: Forest green or emerald shades.

White

• Bringing back memories of snowflakes and a winter wonderland.
• Think sleeping beauty white, or a white that is polished and glittery.

Gold

• Rich and golden, like decorations and Christmas tree lights.
• Gold nails with glitter or metallic finish glam up the look.

Silver

• An icy, brisk color ideal for wintery visuals.
• Silver polish with the sparkles, also a Christmas party favorite.

Nude with Festive Accents

• With hints of sparkle, red tips, or snowflakes, these subtle but chic nails can shine through.

Multicolor or Themed Designs

• Use red, green, white, gold, and silver in candy cane stripes, Christmas tree, or snowflakes.

Trendy Combos for 2024:

• Festive but chic: Red and Gold
• Earthy/Wintery: Green and White
• Glitter-Accented Nude: The epitome of minimalist chic.

How do you paint Christmas lights on your nails?

So, for festive and nail painting lovers you can celebrate the holidays by painting Christmas lights on your nails! So, here is a very simplistic step-by-step procedure.

What You’ll Need:

• Base coat
• Nail Polish (Light/Neutral for the base)
• A black nail polish or a really thin nail art pen (for the light string ₩)
• Colorful nail polishes (red, green, blue, yellow etc for the bulbs)
• Dotting tool or toothpick
• Top coat

How To: Paint the Christmas Lights

Prep Your Nails

Create a base coat to protect your nails and wait for it to dry.

Paint the Base

Select a light or neutral base color, such as white, nude, or pastel blue (to resemble snow or sky). Just make sure you do 1–2 coats and let them dry.

Draw the Light String

With a thin nail art brush or black nail polish pen, draw a wavy line from one side of each nail to the other. This will act as the band of the string of Christmas lights.

Add Bulb Sockets

With your black nail art pen or polish, place tiny dots or small lines along the wavy string. This is where you will attach the bulbs.

Paint the Bulbs

Make the bulbs with a dotting tool, toothpick, or the end of a smaller nail brush. Take it, dip it in to the colorful nail polish, and dot it around the black eye socket marks.

Red, green, blue, yellow alternate colours and even glitter to make it more festive.

Add Details (Optional)

To make more realistic bulbs, use a regular or a fine brush and apply small highlights using white polish making the bulbs shiny.

Seal the Design

When everything is dried, apply a top coat to seal the design and to give shiny look to your nails.

🎄 Pro Tip:

You can even use Christmas light nail stickers or stamping plates for a faster alternative if freehanding seems difficult!

Hit me if you want me to suggest tools or polishes!

How many days before holiday should you get nails done?

Nails right on time will help them look good and festive for the holiday. Here’s your guide to help you decide:

Ideal Timing

• 3–5 Days Before the Holiday
• It maintains looking fresh and polished for the main event.
• Provides ample time to correct any chips or smudges prior to the holiday.

Considerations

Type of Manicure

Polish as usual: Chips more easily; we recommend this 1–3 days before.

Hurts: Gel Manicure: Longer lasting (2–3 weeks), can get it done up to a week before.

For Acrylic or Dip Powder: 7–10 days before works as well since these are also quite long-lasting.

Holiday Schedule

And if you’re travelling, leave until just before you hop on a plane.

Plan to schedule around holiday parties, photos or other events.

Busy Nail Salons

The festive season is when salons make a killing! Take your appointment AT LEAST A WEEK IN ADVANCE in order to get a suitable time.

Are you looking for festive nail design ideas or care tips for them to last longer? 🎄💅