5 Common Manicure Mistakes and How to Fix Them

You wouldn't believe how many times I’ve seen it. A client sits down, proudly showing me their at-home mani—“I did them myself!”—and I smile, because I love that people are taking nail care into their own hands. But then, I spot the little giveaways. Overworked cuticles, stained nail beds, polish chipping after just two days. Trust me, even the most polished person can fall into these common manicure traps. Let’s straighten them out together—gently, like a perfect file stroke.

Soaking Your Nails for Too Long? You’re Not Doing Them Any Favors

I get it. A warm bowl of soapy water feels luxurious, like a mini spa moment before the main event. But here’s the thing: long soaks are secretly sabotaging your nails. When you soak your nails too long, they absorb water and swell slightly—sounds harmless, but once they dry, they shrink back down. That expansion and contraction weakens the nail, makes polish peel faster, and can even make them more prone to splitting.

Here’s what to do instead:

• Keep soaking short and sweet—2 to 3 minutes tops.
• Switch to a warm, damp towel wrap if your hands need a little TLC. It feels just as pampering and is way kinder to your nails.
• Hydrate after, not before. Apply cuticle oil or lotion after the manicure, not during soaking.

The goal is to soften, not saturate. Your nails aren’t little sponges—they’re more like delicate armor. Treat them accordingly.

Cutting Cuticles: The One Habit I Wish I Could Ban Forever

If there’s one thing I could magically erase from every DIY routine, it’s the urge to snip cuticles. I know—it feels like you’re tidying up. But what you’re really doing is opening a gateway for bacteria, irritation, and those painful little hangnails that make you want to swear off manicures altogether.

Your cuticles are there for a reason. They protect the new nail as it grows out. When you cut them, even just a little, you’re risking inflammation, infection, and in some cases, permanent nail damage.

Here’s what to do instead:

• Gently push them back after a shower or bath when they’re soft. Use an orangewood stick or a metal pusher very lightly. No need to go full force.
• Use cuticle remover (the kind in a little blue or clear bottle) if there’s any buildup. It dissolves the dead skin without hurting the living stuff.
• Apply cuticle oil daily. Yes, daily. Keep one by your bed or your desk and rub it in like a little nail hug. It makes such a difference in how your nails grow and how they look.

If you really can't resist trimming, at least avoid using sharp nippers unless there's actual hanging skin—and even then, sterilize and go slow. But honestly? Less is more. Healthy cuticles are the foundation of beautiful nails, and they’re way prettier when they’re cared for, not chopped away.

Over-Buffing: When ‘Smooth’ Turns into ‘Too Thin to Handle’

Buffing feels so satisfying, right? You smooth out the ridges, get that nice, matte finish, and suddenly your nails look like glass. But here’s the truth—over-buffing is a fast track to weak, bendy, breaky nails. I’ve had clients walk in with nail beds so thin they’re nearly translucent—and they always say the same thing: “I just wanted them smooth.”

Here’s the deal: a little buffing is totally fine. But the nail plate is made up of layers, and when you sand those down too often or too aggressively, you’re literally grinding away your nail’s strength.

What to keep in mind:

• Only buff once every couple of weeks, and only lightly. Think of it like exfoliating your face—you wouldn’t scrub every day, right?
• Use a fine-grit buffer (nothing too rough or coarse). Those cheap buffing blocks from the drugstore can be sneaky villains.
• Don’t buff to a shine unless you’re skipping polish. A high-gloss buff is beautiful, but it leaves no surface for polish to grip, so it chips way faster.

Your nails aren’t a hardwood floor. They don’t need to be sanded down to be beautiful. A little texture is totally normal—and actually helps your manicure last longer.

Skipping Base Coat? Might As Well Stain Your Nails on Purpose

I’ve had clients tell me, “I was in a rush so I skipped the base coat.” And I just… sigh. Quietly. On the inside. Because base coat is one of those tiny steps that makes a huge difference—not just in how your polish looks, but in how long it lasts and how healthy your nails stay underneath.

Here’s what base coat really does:

• Prevents staining—especially with dark or red shades that love to leave behind little yellow reminders.
• Smooths the nail surface, helping your color go on more evenly.
• Gives polish something to grip, so it doesn’t slide right off in two days.

And if you're someone who wears polish regularly (even just clear), base coat adds a protective barrier between your nail and whatever you're applying. Some formulas even come with added vitamins or strengtheners, which is like a little bonus treatment every time you paint your nails.

Pro tip: There are base coats for every need—ridge-filling, fast-drying, rubberized for gels, you name it. It’s not “just” a step—it’s your nails’ secret weapon.

Peeling Off Your Polish or Gel: Why It’s the Worst Breakup Move

Let’s be honest—there’s something weirdly satisfying about peeling off old polish or gel. You catch an edge, start pulling, and next thing you know your whole nail is bare. But guess what? That satisfying little peel is doing some serious damage under the surface.

When you peel off polish—especially gel—you’re not just removing color. You’re stripping away layers of your actual nail plate. That’s why your nails feel rough, thin, and bendy afterward. It’s not the gel that ruined your nails—it’s how you removed it.

Here’s how to break up with polish the healthy way:

• Use the foil method for gels. Soak cotton in acetone, place it on the nail, wrap with foil, and wait 10–15 minutes. It’s not the most glamorous look, but it works.
• Gently push off softened gel with an orangewood stick—don’t scrape like you’re cleaning a grill.
• Follow up with cuticle oil and a strengthening treatment if your nails need a little love post-removal.

And if you're peeling because you’re bored or fidgety (no judgment—I see you), try keeping a glass file nearby to gently file instead. It’s a better outlet and your nails won’t pay the price.

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they “didn’t think it was a big deal” to skip base coat or nip their cuticles, I’d be sipping espresso in my fourth salon by now. But here’s the thing—nail care doesn’t have to be complicated. It just takes a few small shifts, a little patience, and some love for those ten tiny canvases.

Your hands say a lot about you. Let them speak softly, smoothly, and with just the right shade of polish.