I'm a nail tech – here's the four mistakes that ruin your holiday nails and lead to annoying chips

Scottish Sun

5 days ago

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
WE all love to look our best when jetting off on holiday - and for some of us, that means having a fresh set of nails.
But costs for a professional manicure or premium designs are now exceeding more than £60 a set.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
With costs rising, more and more people are trying to do their own nails rather than going to a salon
Credit: Getty
And with most of us already feeling the strain on our budgets, it's no wonder that holiday-goers are looking for an alternative.
Many Scots are now having a go themselves at achieving the salon-perfect manicure at home.
Which means they can have a similar look at a fraction of the price.
Luckily, nail technicians are on hand to help get those nails in tip-top shape.
Sarah Green, a Beauty and Nail Course Tutor from Open Study College, has revealed that there are some mistakes people make when they try to do their own nails.
The nail pro has shared the four things people should avoid doing if they want to make sure they stay in good condition and don't get ruined.
And it means your at-home holiday nails can stay chip-free and look just as good as the pros.
The beauty expert says it's all about looking after them properly in different environments.
1. Using hot water
One mistake that Sarah says most people make is not keeping their nails out of hot water as much as they can.
She said: "Fresh nails are vulnerable to hot water as it can break the bond between the nail and the polish.
Nail tech slams 'absolutely vile' duck nails, and shares the eight other trends she can't stand
"This expansion can cause the gel or acrylic nail to lift away and break.
"Try to avoid hot water where you can, and if your nails have been in hot water, rinse them in cold water straight away.
"Being on holiday, you'll probably be surrounded by a lot of water, so just be mindful of your fresh set of nails before enjoying the jacuzzi or hot tub."
2. Forgetting UV protection
You might not realise it, but your nails need UV protection just as much as your skin and face do, and not putting sun cream on them can leave them damaged.
Sarah explains: "Not only does your body need sun cream, but so do your nails!
"When applying sun cream, don't rub the excess off; rub it into your hands and nails.
"This will help to prevent discolouration, keeping your mani fresh all holiday.
"You don't need a lot, but try to reapply throughout the day, as you would with your normal sun cream routine."
3
Experts say you shouldn't forget to put sun cream on your hands and nails
Credit: Getty
3. Forgetting to apply cuticle oil
The nail technician says anyone who wants to keep their nails looking their best for longer should not forget to apply cuticle oil.
She explained that a mistake that many people make is not looking after their nails as much as they do their hair.
Sarah advises: "Apply cuticle oil daily, especially after washing your hands or swimming, to moisturise and prevent dryness.
"This intense hydration is perfect for the hot weather.
"Similar to haircare, your nails can be damaged by the sun too, so these types of oils are essential for holidays."
NAILS NO-NO
A NAIL expert has revealed the two words that prospective clients say that can gets them ghosted.
There's plenty of bad habits such as being glued to your phone and creating awkward conversations that can lead to a frosty atmosphere in the salon.
But some beauty fans could ruin their chances of an appointment before they're even through the door.
Nickie runs her own salon in Musselburgh, East Lothian, and also trains up other prospective nail technicians.
In a recent TikTok video, she revealed her "unpopular opinion" about message enquiries.
She said: "I'm not replying to you if you just write to me 'how much'.
"Sorry? How much for what? How much for nails? How much for training? Eyebrows? Hair? A lift to your mum's house?
"Like what even happened to 'hey how are you?'. Not even a 'how are you?' Just like a 'hi'.
"'Hi. How much is nails?' Or 'how much is training?'
"[Just] 'How much?' Like? I'm sorry but I can't even reply because I feel like it's like a waste of my time because then I know you're not going to reply back to me again."
4. Not refreshing your top coat
Some people think that once you put a layer of top coat on, it will last for ages.
But in fact, it can fade quite quickly, being the first layer, and it should be reapplied every two to three days.
Sarah suggests taking a small bottle away with you when you go on holiday to keep it fresh - and this also helps keep it chip-free.
She said: "Top coats help to protect the polish underneath. So naturally, this is the first layer to fade away.
"Once the top coat is gone, the nail will chip and be prone to breaking.
"Pack a little bottle of top coat and reapply every few days.
"This way, your top coat will always be fresh, and keep the rest of the polish protected throughout the entire holiday!"