Anyone who has received a mani-pedi before knows the struggle of going about your day without messing up your new nails. From smudging the wet paint before it fully dries to chipping a nail as you try to open a package, maintaining your new spa pedicure or manicure can be a struggle.

However, with a few simple steps, you can ensure that your nails stay stunning long after your nail salon visit. Here are four essential tips for keeping your mani-pedi looking flawless after your appointment.

Allow Your Nails to Dry Fully

One of the crucial mistakes we all make after a mani-pedi is rushing out of the salon before our polish has fully dried. It can be tempting to hurry out of the salon and continue on with your day, but this increases the risk of smudging or otherwise ruining your new mani-pedi prematurely.

To avoid this, try to sit in the salon under the fan or LED light for as long as possible before leaving. Once you do leave, take extra care with your hands or feet and avoid handling objects as much as possible. Have someone else drive, avoid typing, and otherwise try to keep your hands as inactive as possible.

If you don’t have the time or patience to wait for your manicure to fully dry, try opting for a gel manicure, acrylic nails, or dip powder nails, as these are cured using UV or LED light. This means that they won’t stay wet after you leave, and they can last up to several weeks without chipping.

Avoid Getting Your Nails Wet

If possible, avoid getting your nails wet for several hours after your mani-pedi. Although your nails may feel dry to the touch after less than an hour, it can take up to three or four hours for your nail polish to dry all the way through. As such, exposing your manicure to water can affect its longevity.

Of course, it’s not always possible to avoid washing our hands or otherwise getting our hands wet for several hours. If you do need to wet your nails, make sure to dry them very thoroughly afterward. Leaving water on your nails can weaken the polish and cause it to chip quickly. When drying, however, make sure that you towel your nails gently to avoid smudging the polish.

Use Cuticle Cream

After a mani-pedi, it’s crucial to take care of your nails and your cuticles. Cuticles protect your nails from infection and help them grow healthy and strong. Using cuticle cream or oil nourishes and moisturizes your cuticles, preventing them from drying out and becoming brittle.

Moisturizing your cuticles reduces the chances of your polish chipping at the edges. We recommend applying cuticle cream at least once a day, or more often if you feel your cuticles are dry. Remember to gently push back your cuticles before applying the cream, as this helps the product penetrate better and moisturize your nails more effectively.

Avoid Closed-Toed Shoes

There’s a reason why nail salons in Newport Beach provide flip-flops after your spa pedicure. If you received a mani-pedi or spa pedicure, it’s important to avoid wearing closed-toed shoes for the first 12 hours after your appointment.

Closed-toed shoes can cause friction on the nails, leading to smudging or chipping. It’s best to wear sandals or flip-flops for the remainder of the day after your appointment, but if you must wear closed shoes, opt for thin socks or stockings to reduce friction.

Keeping your nails looking stunning after a mani-pedi requires patience and a bit of TLC. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your nails stay flawless for days or even weeks to come. If you’re searching for a nail salon in Newport Beach that can provide a beautiful and long-lasting spa pedicure or manicure, Newport Nails is the premier choice. Contact us online or visit us at The Landing or one of our other convenient locations today, and let us know how we can service your mani-pedi needs.