How to Cap the Free Edge on Long and Short Nails

Let’s talk about the nail hack that separates the pros from everyone else complaining about chips on day two. It’s called capping the free edge, and it’s probably the most overlooked step in your entire routine.

Capping means painting the very tip of your nail — the part that extends beyond your fingertip — with every single coat you apply. Not just the colour. Every. Single. Layer.

Think of it as insurance for your manicure. That tip takes the most abuse, and capping creates a protective seal that stops chips before they start.

The free edge is the weakest point of any manicure. It’s where your nail meets the real world — and the real world is not gentle.

Without proper capping, even the best gel polish will start lifting and peeling from the edges within days. When you cap the free edge with every coat, you seal the nail completely:

• No gaps for water to sneak in
• No weak points for chips to start
• Stronger, longer-lasting wear

The difference between nails that last three days and nails that last three weeks often comes down to this one step.

If you’ve got medium to long nails, capping is simple. After applying your coat of colour, swipe the brush gently across the tip of your nail — like you’re painting the edge of a fence.

Then go back over the nail to even everything out. The goal is protection, not a thick blob of gel at the tip.

Some people cap first, then paint the nail. Others paint first, then cap. Both work — consistency is what matters.

Short nails make capping trickier because there’s barely any free edge to work with. Try the standard method and you’ll end up with gel all over your fingertips.

The Flip Method:

Flip your brush upside down and use the back of the brush to gently push the gel over the edge using small, scrubbing motions. You’re working the gel into that microscopic free edge — not painting across it.

Flip the brush back over and smooth the surface. It takes practice, but once mastered, short nails can be just as chip-resistant as long ones.

This is not a “just with colour” situation. You cap with:

• Base coat (sets the foundation)
• Every coat of colour (builds protection)
• Top coat (seals everything in)

Skipping even one layer breaks the seal and defeats the purpose. Yes, it adds a little time — but redoing your nails in three days takes much longer.

• Too much gel: Thin and even wins every time.
• Inconsistent application: All nails, every coat.
• Rushing: Sloppy capping causes texture and lifting.
• Skipping cleanup: Always remove gel from skin before curing.

Capping the free edge isn’t optional if you want manicures that actually last. It’s the difference between nails that survive real life and nails that give up immediately.

Master this step and you’ll never understand why anyone settles for three-day manicures again.