By the team at The Nail Story, Bawadiya Kalan, Bhopal · Updated
A fresh set is a small luxury. A little care keeps it looking that way until your next appointment. Here are the do’s and don’ts we share at the end of every set.
The do’s
Oil your cuticles every night
A drop of cuticle oil, massaged in before bed, keeps the skin soft and the natural nail flexible under the extension. It also makes your set look freshly done for longer.
Wear gloves for wet and messy work
Dishes, cleaning products, hair dye and long soaks are hard on extensions. Gloves are the easiest way to protect them.
Use the pads of your fingers
Type, tap and press with the pads of your fingers rather than the tips of your nails. It takes a day to get used to and saves a lot of breaks.
Keep them dry after washing
Pat your hands dry after washing, including under the nail. Water trapped under a lifted edge is where trouble starts.
Book your refill on time
Your natural nail grows under the extension, and the set gets heavier at the tip. A refill every three to four weeks keeps it balanced and strong. Gel refilling is ₹1,700.
The don’ts
Don’t use your nails as tools
Opening cans, scratching off stickers and prising lids are the most common causes of breaks.
Don’t pick, bite or peel
If an edge lifts, it’s tempting to pick at it. Peeling a set off tears the top layers of your natural nail and leaves it thin and sore. When it’s time for a change, book an extension removal (₹600) or a gel polish removal (₹300).
Don’t file the surface at home
A light file along the free edge is fine. Filing the top of the nail can thin the extension and dull the finish.
Don’t ignore a lift
A small lift is easy to fix. Left alone, it lets in water and catches on everything.
If something goes wrong
Chips and lifts happen now and then, even to careful hands. If a nail chips after your service, message the studio and book a fix. We repair it free of charge.
Before a wedding or a big event
If you have a wedding coming up, read our bridal nails timeline for tips on mehndi, haldi and timing.
See refill, removal and extension prices on the nail extensions page, browse finishes on the nail art page, and book your refill.
