Dear Abby

When pulling the brush out of the lacquer bottle, wipe one side off on the way out slowly. This will remove the bulk of the lacquer and give it time for the excess to slide off the brush, leaving you with the perfect amount for an average nail. You want to apply a relatively thin layer in order to ensure your polish will dry properly.

All nails are different & like many others, you may have ridges on your nail plate. An uneven surface will lead to lacquer pooling in certain areas which can make your perfect finish feel not-so-perfect. That’s why we made Nail Armor! Apply one coat of Nail Armor as your basecoat before applying two coats of your ORLY lacquer and one coat of your favorite ORLY topcoat for smooth and even coverage.

Every nail has a “stress point.” The stress point is determined by how much pressure you typically apply to your nails throughout the day in relation to the length of your nail. So, if you can’t seem to grow your nails past a certain length, there’s a few things you can do. First, be more mindful of the pressure you’re putting on your nails throughout the day. Second, apply cuticle oil to add flexibility to your nails so the bend rather than break. Third, reinforce your nail plate with one of our strengthening nail treatments or opt for a strong, uv-cured gel overlay like GELFX Bodyguard to protect your nails.

Many factors can impact the dry time of lacquers. Make sure to use an ORLY basecoat like BONDER, followed by 2 thin coats of your ORLY lacquer color but make sure to wait at least 2 minutes before applying your second coat to ensure a quick dry time. Also, don’t forget to apply your favorite ORLY topcoat as this will also aid in shortening your dry time while adding longevity and shine to your manicure.

Before applying any color on your nails, remember to remove all surface oils using acetone or alcohol to cleanse the nail plate. Our BONDER basecoat acts like double-sided sticky tape for your polish, so never skip out on your basecoat! Then always stick with 2 thin layers of your color and finish with your favorite ORLY topcoat. Then to maintain your manicure, don’t forget to apply your favorite ORLY cuticle oil 2x daily in order to keep your manicure flexible so your polish bends with your nail - not against it, to prevent chipping!

Nope! All of our nail products are developed with your nail health in mind. Our products will not damage your nails when used properly with the exception of extremely rare allergic reactions. Nail damage comes from improper use and improper removal of nail products. Always be sure to follow application and removal protocols for best results!