Keeping your nails looking fly at all times is an essential job year round, but the heat and activities of summer can make that job much more challenging. Don’t spend all your time wrapped up in skin care.

While your skin is super important, and you should invest time tending to its radiance during the summer, your nails should not be forgotten. Here are a few helpful tricks to keep fabulous nails while still enjoying the outdoor adventures of summertime.

Prepare for the swimming pool

Summer means plenty of time by and in the swimming pool, and your nails need to be prepared for the harsh effects of chlorine. Spending hours at a pool party, in and out of the pool, can be tough on your gorgeous polish job. Using a quality nail polish will also help you to maintain your fabulous look during the toughest month of the year.

The best way to prepare your nails for a day in the pool is to add another layer of clear topcoat before you head out to play. Adding an extra topcoat will give your nails an added shield against any environmental challenges.

Don’t try to paint your nails while they are soaked

Clearly, you shouldn’t paint your nails while they are wet. More importantly, you shouldn’t try to touch up or redo your nails while your hands are waterlogged. A long day in the ocean or by the pool will leave your hands in need of vital moisturizers.

Wait until the next day to redo your nails. Give your fingernails and skin time to recover a bit from the sun and water exposure. Soaked nails will end in your polish cracking and peeling prematurely.

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated

Staying hydrated during the heat of the summer is super important for more than just nail health, but it will also protect against brittle, cracked nails. Drink plenty of water, and take a daily multivitamin to provide vital nutrients for your nails on a daily basis.

Shape your nails for a more rugged lifestyle

You may really enjoy the glamour of super long nails, but they aren’t the best when you plan to live an active summer life. Choose a more manageable nail shape when you go to a nail salon in Sandy, Utah (or any other place, for that matter).

Rounding off the edges and tips of your nails is best. Also, keep the length trimmed back to avoid snagging and breaking a nail while swimming or doing yard work.

Use oil-based nail polish remover

Using acetone can actually harm your nails’ health. It is better to use an oil-based nail polish remover.

Many women redo their nails several times a week during the summer, and repeated applications of acetone can cause dried out cuticles and cracking of the nail. Oil-based polish removers are just as effective as acetone without all the harsh chemicals.