I was going to put this in MPSIMS, but if Nickrz can bitch about his underwear here, I can ask for help on a more important topic - fingernail polish. Having finally recovered from using fakes, which ruined my nails, I have strong nails long enough to polish. Okay, so I polish them last night using a new bottle of quick-drying polish. After about 45 minutes, applied a top coat called a “micro laminate.” Let it dry. Went to bed. This morning I noticed what I think are tiny air bubbles; and in less than 24 hours, the polish has worn off the tips on all the nails. This has happened to me over the years, and I just stop wearing polish for awhile. I don’t want to spend time each evening touching up the polish. As for the air bubbles, only thing I can think of is I’m putting the top coat on too soon. So here’s my idea: use a top coat of a non-toxic sealant such as might be used in making crafts (if there is such a thing). Whatcha think? Any other ideas?
I’ve had that problem too, but I rarely use a topcoat. I always put a clear base coat on to prevent yellowing of the nails from dark polishes. I found I had problems with bubbling if the polish is older and/or thick. If your nails are long enough, you can try putting the topcoat over the tip of the nail, to create a better seal.
Hope this helps
Zulu
I always put the top coat over the tip of the nail, and the polish was from a new bottle.
Maybe a base coat would help. I had a Sally Hansen nail thickener on them to start with - it’s helped strengthen the nails a lot (they were paper-thin after using the fakes.) Perhaps I should put a base coat on over that. I’ll experiment. Thanks.
I’d suggest a base coat, well dried, then 3 thin layers of the color. Make sure each layer of color has a chance to dry completely, and then apply your top coat.
The bubbles usually appear for me when I try to hurry things along by not letting polish dry completely, or by sticking my fingers in front of a fan.
An aside - what kind of fake nails did you have? I’ve been getting acrylics for a long time, and my nails are in no worse shape when they’re removed.
I forgot to mention that sometimes, you just can’t help the bubbling - it’s something wrong with the polish, even if it’s a new bottle.
I once dropped $12 on a beautiful color of Lancome nail polish, and it bubbled all the time, no matter what I did or how careful I was. I ended up taking it back. 
Perhaps it’s just the polish, and not your fault at all.
Re the fakes - they were acrylic. A couple women had told me they’d ruin my natural nails, but I was having trouble growing my own (plus this polishing business!). My nails weren’t in good shape before that, so maybe that has a lot to do with it.
Good to know the bubbling may not be my fault. I used one coat of a quick-dry polish, then waited about 45 minutes before the top coat. You’re saying 3 coats, then top coat? Jeez, I’ll be at it for an entire evening, counting drying time! Thanks.
I say three coats because you mentioned that you had chipping at the ends - sometimes the extra coat helps. It also depends on the coverage of the nail polish you’ve got.
This isn’t what you asked – but my nails are in their best condition ever – I read somewhere that it’s the nail treatments that are ruining our nails. So I quit the polishes, hardeners, etc.
No more chips, cracks, tears. They’re the longest they’ve ever been. Have to cut them back every couple of weeks. I use a clipper to get rid of the length and then a simple emery board to smooth them out.
It’s absolutely amazing. No change in diet or lifestyle or anything – just nice, hard, long nails.
My hubby loves his back scratches now cuz I can scratch really hard and not worry about nails bending.
lovelee - I appreciate the advice – I just started over - put on two thin coats…and I believe you are right - thin ones means they dry faster - (and probably less chance for the bubbles) - that’s one mistake I was making. Auntie - yes, you reminded me that over the years, when I got sick & tired of dealing with the polish and just left them alone, they seemed to do better, but eventually they would get weak and break. But long, polished nails is just something I’ve always wanted to have (plus, I think it makes my hands look nicer - I have spatulate hands, short fingers, and longer polished nails make them a little more attractive). Thanks again all for the advice.
I’m having the opposite effect. Until a couple of weeks ago, I had beautiful long nails. I fussed with filing, hardeners, you name it. Then one broke. Then another. Then another. So I cut them down (crying the whole time) so that the short ones didn’t stand out so much. BTW, I did all my fussing with stuff at work, during the down times.
Now, we’re in our busy time. I took my polish off so I wouldn’t have to deal with that while they grow out again and just put on a hardener. I didn’t have the time to take care of the nails, so the hardener chipped off. My nails are bare, and they are worse then ever. They are too soft and keep ripping. I don’t have time to file and do all that stuff I did while they were growing, don’t have the stuff at home and I don’t want to buy it if I can use the stuff for free.
Everyone’s nails are different. Mine need all that stuff to get them in good shape. I am now going to take the time to get them long again. My only vice (besides chocolate, but that’s a given)is my pride in my nails. I love seeing the looks on people’s faces when I tell them that those nails are mine!
MaryAnn
Sometimes life is so great you just gotta muss up your hair and quack like a duck!
Maryann - I’ve had great success with Sally Hansen’s Thicken Up! It really did thicken the nails and made them stronger – the problem now is keeping the polish looking decent and the tips from breaking off, since that’s where the polish wears off first.
I’ll let you know if I discover anything else that helps.
Thanks, but I use Revivanail. Awesome stuff! Like I said, I’m not going to buy anything because I get free use of the stuff at work. Thanks, though. I appreciate it! 
MaryAnn
Sometimes life is so great you just gotta muss up your hair and quack like a duck!