Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

8 Ways to Keep Polish from Smudging

Techs share their tried-and-true methods for avoiding “Oops, I dinged my polish.”

by Jenna Curry
July 1, 2008
2 min to read


Techs share their tried-and-true methods for avoiding “Oops, I dinged my polish.”

I either have her put on her coat before I polish the nails, or I have her make a loose fist and I put my hand up the sleeve of her coat and hold her hand, shielding her nails. Then I gently guide her arms through the sleeves of the coat. If the client has an arm that is less flexible than the other, I do that hand first.   INGRID BIGENHO, JCPenney Salon, Monroeville, Pa.

Ad Loading...

I make the client sit still at least five minutes. If the client is in too big of a hurry to sit, I’ll sometimes put a drop of cuticle oil on each finger before she rushes out.  RACHEL BOLEK, Hair Studio 227, Dover, Ohio 

Before we polish a client’s nails we have the client put her jacket on, get her keys out, and pay for her services. That way she just has to sit at the nail dryer before she leaves. We have even put children in their car seats or put seat belts on our clients.  D.J. BEAL, Sassy Nail Salon, Gettysburg, Pa.

For toes, I apply OPI cuticle oil and wrap her feet in plastic wrap or slip on sandwich bags. Then it is safe for her to slip on her shoes (although most clients are brave enough to wear flip-flops even in the cold winter). I usually like to do a client’s feet before her fingernails, so the toenails can dry before she puts on her shoes. DEB BLOWARS, Artistic Trends Salon, Sellersville, Pa.

I apply the nail enamel as evenly as possible in order for it to dry, then I apply INM’s quick-dry top coat “Out The Door” for natural and nail enhancement guests. TITILAYO BANKOLE, Visionary Nail Spa, Largo, Md. 

I use a UV top coat on artificial nails only, and a fast dry (Seche Vite) on natural nails. I’ll help the client to the drying area, easing her hands into the nail dryer while I carry her belongings over for her.  BECKY BENCE, Salon 505 The Day Spa, Austin, Texas

Ad Loading...

I always make sure my base coat, top coat, and polish are new and fresh. I’ve found that when any of those items are old, they have a longer drying time. I swear by CND’s base coat Stickey and top coat Super Shiney. DEBBIE BREW, jenniff er & co., Mentor, Ohio 

After using a fast-dry top coat, I always use CND’s Solar Speed Spray. We love the way it works, and it smells wonderful. LISA DEVIESE, Salon Vogue, Birmingham, Ala.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Business

A row of styling stations at JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon
Business|Articles|Mar 3, 2026

Precision, Passion, and the Business of Beauty

When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Nov 27, 2024

Prepare for Small Business Saturday® with American Express

The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Oct 22, 2024

Success at the Top: Thriving on Madison Ave.

Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.

Sponsored by Amex

Business|Articles|Sep 6, 2024

Vagaro’s New AI Features and Communication Tool Pave the Way for a More Efficient, Profitable Business

Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.

Sponsored by Vagaro

Business|Articles|Aug 6, 2024

5 Things I Won't Do as a Nail Tech

This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.

Ad Loading...