What's the best way to apply nail polish so it will last?

First soak your hands in some soapy water (or after a bath will work.) Then trim, file, and buff your nails. Then use a product to moisturize your cuticles - Sally Hansens is great. Then push back and trim your cuticles. Next wash hands very well with a nail brush (or an old toothbrush will work) to remove all oils. Dry them very well. Apply a thin base coat and take it over the tips of your nails. Then apply two thin coats of your favorite color. Make sure you roll and don't shake your color. Allow each coat to dry completely about 5-10 minutes depending on the brand. Make sure your polish is fresh and not thick on the brush. After applying the color finish with a top coat and again take it over the tips of your nails. Wait about five minutes and use Sally Hansens quick dry or baby oil over the tops.

My favorite brands are Sally for base and top coats and Revlon for color. They can last a year or even more if you keep the lid on tight and don't leave the brush out for too long at a time. I've found that the Quick Dry type don't last as long, if you are really worried about longevity. Just throw it out when it looks thick on the brush - you can try adding nail polish remover but it'll never be the same, it looses its luster. Good luck.

What's the best way to apply nail polish so it will last?

Apply base coat, then 2 coats of color, then top coat. Let the polish dry completely between coats

What brands are best? Max Factor, Revlon, Avon

How long does polish last in the bottle? 1 1/2 years

I've had trouble with polish that looks okay when I apply it, but after a few hours it has small bumps in it.

This is because you are not letting it dry between coats or you are putting it on too thick and it is not dry under the surface

Best Clear Nail Polish

Make sure you nails are clean and dry. Then apply a base coat, let it dry, roll the bottle of polish in your hands, don't shake it. Then apply 1 coat, let it dry then apply a 2nd coat, let it dry. I would apply a no chip top coat or a quick drying top coat. Also make sure you paint the tip of the nail, this will help the polish wear better.

I wear OPI, China Glaze and Creative nail colors. Polish should last you about 1 year. The bumps could have been air bubbles. Make sure when you apply the polish you're not putting it on too thick, that will cause issues as well.

before you begin, make sure your nails are clean and dry. they should be free of all oils and residue. i wipe mine with a little alcohol on a cotton ball.

then, apply a base coat. make sure the bottle says base coat. use a thin layer.

follow with 2 coats of your color. make sure the layers are thin but even.

allow to completely dry, then apply 1 coat of top coat.

some better brands that i've noticed last longer are opi, nicole, sally hansen, mary kay, and avon. some of the cheaper ones peel off. but an important thing to know is that polish will never last as long on natural nails as it does on artificial nails. this is because your nails will secrete oils and moisture that eventually loosens the polish.

if you are getting bubbles on the nail surface, then maybe the layers are applied too thick, the polish is old, or the nails got too hot while waiting to dry. try buying a nail dryer to use at home. you can get the little blower type, or a spray on or brush on. also if your polish starts to get thick or clumpy you need to throw it out. keep it stored in a cool dry place. in summertime if it gets really hot in the house it can affect the polish. i have bottles that have been around for several years and they still work fine, but when one does go bad i just toss it and buy a new one.

good luck!

This will be a detailed answer.

First, nail polish is best new to three months...I would discard polish after that.

Always clean the nail first. Dry it. Put on the first coat from side to side and then center, then lightly take the edge of a freshly dipped brush into the polish and streak it along the tip of the nail...please dap the brush from too much excess polish.

Let polish dry...even if it is not neatly applied. Try not to polish cuticles...make sure they are pushed back and trimmed if necessary.

Apply second coat the same.

Let it dry. Apply a clear top coat. Let it dry. (Don't forget the tips of the nails). If you don't understand...the tip would be what taps the table and scratches the back...

Ok...now clean the polish off of the skin part of the nail with a pointy Q-tip. Let dry.

Your nails should last at least a week. Don't re-apply polish over a chipped-polished nail. Clean it and start it fresh.

As for product...Revlon, and Sally products from the store are great. OPI is always great, if you have the money...at salons.

Make sure your cuticles are pushed back first!!!! A clean nail is the trick, and drying polish good. Buff (get a 3-way buffer) your nails, and base coat, polish and put a top coat on. Always dap the tips of the nail. I hope you will be happy with your nails! Oh, don't bite your nails...(for all those nail biters out there!).

First, apply a clear base coat and let dry thoroughly then apply the polish--2 coats, drying well after each application. Then apply a top coat, a sealer, and it usually says top coat on the bottle. They are all primarily the same so a brand doesn't really matter. I've found the shelf life of a bottle of polish may be about 3 months once opened. After removing old polish, wash fingernails thoroughly before reapplying.

Revlon has a polish that comes with a thick top coating and it's shiney and doesn't chip for up to ten days. As for the polish getting air bumps in it after drying, make sure each coat you apply is fully dry before you apply an additional coat. The thicker polishes may require two to three coats. Another brand that's good is Sally Hansons diamond brand. It's pretty good and doesn't bubble up and chip off either.

Well.. I was told that when you take off nail polish with remover, you always wash your nails with soap and water so it won't chip off. Also, definitely go for the high quality brands. I don't know which is best to recommend, but do NOT get the cheap $1 stuff. It is worth the extra 2 or 3 dollars. Cheap stuff chips off within hours. Nail polish that has been sitting too long will be clumpy. Shake it up and if it's even a little clumpy, buy new polish.

You have got some good advice from these answers. Adding my own opinion, ALWAYS use base coat on natural nails--it makes a tacky surface for the polish to stick to. The bumps are thick polish--apply thinner coats or look for polish thinner. Remover will work in a pinch, but it makes the polish dull instead of shiny. Do use thin coats--apply 3 coats if needed. Sally's carries top coat that needs to 'cure' under a light--that also helps with chips. Fresh top coat every other day helps also. I have better luck with professional polish--I get mine at Sally's or at the salons.

Sally Hansen is hands down the best. It tends to not chip and makes nails super strong and polish seems to last forever. They have a new shade called pink diamonds that is so pretty. Apply base coat, then 1st coat of polish and let dry completely, then 2nd coat and then top coat. Nails will look their best for about 7-10 days. Oh yeah, shake the nail polish really well before applying.