On the rare occasions i've had a pedicure (for my weddings ) they use a clear topcoat and it seems to make it last for ages, last one lasted for about 4 weeks and that was more growing out than chipping.
When I do it myself at home without topcoat, I'm lucky if I get a day or two before they chip and start wearing off.
Base coats aren't necessary, but I find that they do help extend the life of your polish somewhat. A big problem with chipping/flaking is applying nail polish too thickly, and/or not allowing sufficient drying time between coats. Ideally, you should be applying 2-3 coats of colour, and a topcoat - if that sounds like it would make a gluggy mess, then you're making those mistakes. A coat should be three even, thin stripes on each nail - one down the middle and then one on either side. Drying time between coats varies between brands (and even then, different formulations within a brand will also differ), but a good rule of thumb is to wait at least 6 minutes between coats, and then to wait around an hour after you're finished before you do anything much with your hands. I've noticed if I paint my nails and go to bed before waiting an hour, I wake up with the imprints of my cotton sheets on my freshly-done nails - they're just not dry enough. It may feel dry to the touch, but it will still be slightly tacky and prone to damage.
Also, a little tip I use (it's easier on long nails but works on short nails, too), is to apply polish over the tip of your fingernail on your first coat of colour. Your nails are usually filed to a sort of square shape - not filed thin at the tips so they're like a razor's edge, kwim? Chipping can happen because the polish just kind of comes to a dead end on the tip of your nail and things can get underneath it (eg, moisture, which will lift it from the nail bed so it flakes). It's good to apply a coat of colour, and as you go along, just swipe/dab a bit of colour on the very edge of your nails and even go under them a little, just to provide a sort of seal. Smooth that edge out with your second coat, and proceed with topcoat. Hard to explain, but if that makes sense... I hope you get what I mean
I'll use anything, from high-end brands to the $4 BYS polishes. I like really bright colours (neons, iridescents, hot pink, aqua blue etc) and dark colours (black, midnight blue, chocolate-brown etc) so if I see something that catches my eye, I'll buy it.
As far as long-wearing, easy application though, I like OPI (which does some amazing colours with really cute names lol) and Revlon (which also do heaps of great vibrant colours as well as staples like pale pinks/nudes and reds).
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Nail Polish - How to make it last longer!!
) they use a clear topcoat and it seems to make it last for ages, last one lasted for about 4 weeks and that was more growing out than chipping.
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