An Easy, Anti-Aging Mani That Never Chips

Maybe it’s because I frequently handle stinky hockey equipment (thanks, Heath), we live on a dirt road, and I'm uptight about germs, but I wash my hands. A lot. This is murder on a manicure.

So, as much as I love the look of lacquered tips, about half the time, I elect to skip polish. This does not, however, mean my tips are unkempt. I will often go to the nail salon and get a “buff manicure,” which means that, rather than applying polish, the technician uses a buffer to sand and smooth my nails to a shiny (chip-proof) finish. Bonus: I believe this also makes my hands look younger because it erases nail ridges, which a dermatologist once told me are akin to nail wrinkles, multiplying and deepening with age.

Skilled do-it-yourselfers can score this easy mani look at home with a buffing tool like Harmon Diamond 4-Way Nail Buffer ($2; bedbathandbeyond), topped with a coat of CND Solar Oil ($9; ulta.com). Or just apply ridge filler, such as Essie Fill the Gap Ridge Smoothing Base Coat ($10; ulta.com) and top with clear polish.