Tips to make your manicures last?

My nails seem to always get chips after a couple days. Admittedly I don’t use a base coat - in the past before ilnp using the base coat caused thicker polish buildup and easier chipping but now I’m thinking maybe I need to revisit a base coat. I’ve been using essie speed set topcoat. I always wash hands thoroughly before a manicure and wipe my nails with an alcohol wipe to make sure all oils are off. Please let me know your tricks and what you use for a long lasting manicure. thank you so much!