7 Hacks to Fix Your Manicure Mishaps Without Starting Over

February 20, 2020

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There's nothing better than treating yourself to a fresh manicure. Even if the rest of your life may seem a little chaotic or disorganized (no judgement, adulting is hard), a brand new mani has the power to make you feel like you have your life just a little bit more together. In the same breath, there are few things more devastating (read also: potentially earth shattering — we're only being slightly dramatic) than getting a smudge, chip or nick as soon as you leave the salon. Do you go back in and get it completely re-done or do you just deal with it? Well, truth be told, neither. Here, we're sharing a few different hacks that can help you salvage your manicure and make them look as good as new without having to start over.
Tip #1: Apply a Fresh Coat
If you've smudged the a fresh coat, gently push the polish back into place with the pad of your finger. Next, brush over the problem spot with a fresh coat of the nail color. If you nick a still-sticky nail after leaving the salon and don't have the same color at home, do the same thing as above, but use a generous swipe of clear polish, like Essie Gloss Fit to blend it in.

Tip #2: Trim Your Nails
 If you just nicked the very tip of your nail, trim it with a nail clipper using as few snips as possible to hide the chips before sealing your nail with a layer of clear top coat.

Tip #3: Add Glitter
Disguise imperfections with a clear but glittery coat like Essie Set in Stones or Jazzy Jubilant. This will seal the nail to prevent further chips and cover up any existing issues, making it look as good as new.

Tip #4: Make it an Accent Nail
Don't let one little chip or nick get you down. Make that one nail an accent nail by either covering it with a complementing nail polish color or creating a little fun design. We recommend trying small polka dots or a single stripe as it's very on-trend right now.

Tip #5: Dab it in Nail Polish Remover
Fix any smudges using a very light hand and nail polish remover. Use a paper towel, Q-tip or the opposite finger, dip it in nail polish remover and then gently smooth out any smudges by gently tapping it out. It will allow the nail polish to spread out and smooth over the area.

Tip #6: Only Paint Over the Chip
If you don't trust yourself to apply an entirely new coat over your mistakes, try only filling in the missing gaps with the same nail polish, letting that area dry and then going in with a clear coat. Doing this will make sure your manicure remains smooth and clean as opposed to bumpy or thick because you've applied one too many layers.

Tip #7: Make it a French Manicure
If accent nails aren't your thing and you prefer your manicure to look uniform, make it into a French manicure. The best part is that you can make the line as thick as you want to cover any chips that are either on the tips or a little towards the center. Check out this gold variation and this French mani with a thicker line for inspo.

Read More:
How to Make Press-On Nails Look Like a Professional Mani
5 Cool So-Sheer-They're-Almost-Clear Nail Polishes
12 Acrylic Nail Art Looks You'll Want to Copy ASAP

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