To make colour gel and shellac last longer, three things matter: clean preparation, the right layering technique and a little everyday care. In this article, you'll find out why colour chips, turns dull or discolours – and what you can do about it so your nails stay glossy until your next appointment.

The most common problems at a glance

1. Preparation: the basis for long-lasting hold

Colour only holds as well as the surface beneath it. Never skip these steps:

• Push back the cuticles: Product sitting on the cuticle is the first to lift.
• Gently buff: Carefully remove the shine from the nail plate with a fine buffer and brush away the dust thoroughly.
• Degrease: BNC Nail Prep removes moisture and natural oils from the nail plate. Don't touch the nail afterwards.
• Support adhesion: For difficult natural nails, a bonding agent such as BNC Primer Ultra Bond helps.

We explain which liquid you need when in Cleaner, primer, nail prep & remover.

2. Against chipping: thin layers and a capped edge

• Thin rather than thick: Apply colour gel or shellac in two thin layers. Thick layers cure less well and break more easily.
• Cap the edge: Run every layer – base, colour and top – once horizontally across the free edge. This protects the spot where colour most often chips first.
• Keep a gap: Leave a hairline margin free around the cuticle and side walls.
• Cure properly: Stick to the curing times in the product description and lay your hand flat in the lamp so the thumb cures completely too. A lamp like the BNC UV/LED 26 watt lamp cures UV and LED gels as well as UV polishes such as shellac.

For shellac, BNC Shellac Sealer Base & Top works as a base for colour adhesion and as a top coat for shine – according to its description, 120 seconds under UV or 60 seconds under LED. You'll find the complete process in How to apply shellac correctly, and for colour gel in How to apply colour gel.

3. Against loss of shine: the right top coat

A good top coat protects the colour from abrasion and keeps the shine.

• Choose a top gel: BNC Masterline UV/LED sealing gel clear provides intense shine and protection. With the high-gloss no-wipe top gel, according to its description, there's no need to wipe with cleaner.
• Remove the sticky layer correctly: For top gels with a sticky layer, wipe after curing with BNC Cleaner Clear and a lint-free wipe – so no fibres get stuck in the shine.
• Save time: According to their descriptions, colour gels such as BNC colour gel Chianti or Magenta combine colour and top gel and need no additional sealer.

You'll find more choice under finish gels and in the article Sealing gel for gel nails.

4. Against discolouration: protect light shades

White, nude and pastel shades in particular show discolouration quickly. Typical triggers are:

• Staining substances: Hair dye, self-tanner, spices such as turmeric or clothes that bleed colour. Wear gloves when dyeing hair or cooking.
• Incomplete curing: Product that isn't fully cured is more sensitive. Match the lamp and curing time to the product.
• Cleaner before the top coat: Don't wipe the colour layer before the top gel is on – unless the product description explicitly says so.

Find out which colour suits you best in our article Which nail colour suits my skin tone?

5. Everyday care: keeping the colour beautiful

• Wear gloves: Hot water and cleaning products attack shine and adhesion.
• Don't use your nails as tools: No scratching, prying or opening cans with your nails.
• Nail oil every day: A roller like the BNC strawberry cuticle oil roller cares for the natural nail and cuticles.
• Don't pick: Pulling at lifted spots often tears off layers of the natural nail too.
• Renew in time: Book your next appointment before the nail has grown out too much – otherwise the leverage on the tip increases.

And what if colour gel or shellac lifts?

If the product lifts at the cuticle or the sides, the cause usually lies in the preparation: traces of oil or moisture, product on the cuticle or incorrectly cured gel. You'll find all causes and solutions in detail in Gel nails and shellac lifting. To remove shellac gently, use the BNC remover pads and the shellac remover with lanolin.

FAQ: making colour gel & shellac last longer

How long do colour gel and shellac last?

That depends on the prep, nail growth and strain. With clean work, both usually last until the next infill or change appointment after a few weeks.

Why does my shellac always chip at the tip?

Usually the free edge hasn't been capped or the layers are too thick. Run thin layers of base, colour and top over the edge each time.

Why does my top coat turn dull?

Common reasons are a top gel applied too thinly or not fully cured, lint when wiping off the sticky layer, or lots of contact with cleaning products.

Can I use nail oil on colour gel?

Yes, even every day. The oil cares for the cuticles and keeps the natural nail supple – just skip it right before a new set.

How do I get white colour gel clean again?

Discolouration in the surface usually can't be wiped off. At the salon, the top coat can be lightly buffed and reapplied.