Like most cosmetics, nail polish that has been exposed to air will lose its effectiveness over time. Old nail polish will become thick, clumpy, and difficult to apply. Luckily, there are some simple beauty tricks you can try to extend the life of your nail polish.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Using Quick Solutions in the meantime
Step 1. Turn the bottle over to mix the paint again
Turn the bottle down and sideways for two to three minutes. Sometimes this is just what is needed to restore nail polish.
Step 2. Roll the bottle between your palms for a few minutes
The warmth of your hands will create a thinner consistency, making it easier to apply to your nails. Do not shake the bottle, as this will create tiny bubbles.
Step 3. Try holding the bottle in hot water for two minutes
Make sure the bottle is tightly closed and hold the cap so your fingers don't burn. The hot water will warm the nail polish making it easier to apply to the nails.
Step 4. Paint a nail to test the consistency of the polish
Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. If the nail polish is too thick or clumpy, read on to learn what to do next.
Part 2 of 3: Using Long-Term Solutions
Step 1. Open the nail polish bottle and add 2-3 drops of nail polish thinner
Use an eye dropper to measure the number of drops. You can find nail polish thinner at most drug and beauty stores.
If you want to dilute gel nail polish, use gel nail polish thinner. Gel nail polish contains a special UV reactive makeup (can glow in the dark), so you can't use ordinary nail polish thinner
Step 2. Use acetone or nail polish remover as a last resort
Both can damage nail polish and nail polish can crack when it dries. If you use acetone or nail polish remover, you will need to remove the polish after a few uses.
Do not use acetone or nail polish remover to dilute gel nail polish
Step 3. Close the bottle tightly and roll it between your palms to mix the thinner with the nail polish
Do not shake the bottle, as this will create air bubbles. If the thinner doesn't mix with the nail polish, try turning the bottle a few times.
Step 4. Repeat the process if needed
If the nail polish is still thick, open the bottle and add another two or three drops of thinner. Close the bottle again and roll the bottle between your palms to mix the thinner with the nail polish.
Step 5. Consider letting the nail polish thinner in very thick nail polish before mixing
If the nail polish is very thick and you've repeated the process several times, try letting the thinner sit in the polish. Open the bottle, add 2-3 drops of nail polish thinner and close the bottle. Let the bottle sit for an hour, then mix the thinner with the nail polish by rolling the bottle.
Step 6. Save the brush by dipping it in acetone
Fill a glass or ceramic cup with acetone. Do not use plastic cups as the acetone will melt and do not use cups used for drinking. Dip the brush in the acetone and stir. The dry nail polish should dissolve and wear off. If there is any remaining nail polish, you can wipe it off with a tissue; Do not use cotton balls or cotton pads. When you're done, close the bottle again. The remaining acetone will help thin the paint in the bottle.
Acetone can damage nail polish. A good way is to do it when the bottle is almost empty
Step 7. Know what to do if the nail polish is too runny
If too much thinner has been used and the nail polish has become too runny, all you have to do is let air back into it. Take out the brush first and clean it with nail polish remover. Wrap the brush in plastic wrap and leave the nail polish bottle open in a quiet place. Check back the next day. The air in the room will make the nail polish thicken again.
Sometimes you need to leave the bottle open for a few days. This will depend on how hot, cold, dry, or humid the room is
Part 3 of 3: Storing Nail Polish Properly
Step 1. Know how to prevent nail polish from drying or clumping
Nail polish will eventually expire on its own, but there are things you can do to make it last longer. This section of the article will give you some pointers on how to properly care for your nail polish so it doesn't dry out too quickly.
Step 2. Wipe the neck of the nail polish bottle with a cotton ball soaked in acetone before closing it
This will remove any remaining paint. If this is not done, the paint may dry on the neck of the bottle and the bottle will be difficult to seal. This will cause air to be trapped inside the bottle, so the paint will dry faster.
Step 3. Store nail polish in a cool and dry place
Do not store in the bathroom; temperature is fast and changes too often. Instead, try storing nail polish in a desk drawer.
Be careful if you store nail polish on the inside of the refrigerator door. Cooler temperatures can help nail polish last longer, but it can also be stored in a closed room. If the nail polish breaks in the refrigerator, there may be a fire hazard due to the steam
Step 4. Keep the bottle upright and do not lie down
When storing nail polish, it is important to keep the bottle upright. Laying the bottle down will cause the nail polish to run down the neck of the bottle. This can cause the nail polish to dry out and make the bottle more difficult to open.
Step 5. Always close the nail polish bottle immediately after use
Don't leave it open while you wait for your nails to dry. Nail polish dries when it comes into contact with air, so the less it comes into contact with the air, the better.
Tips
- Cool the nail polish in the refrigerator before using it. Cooling helps to reduce solvent evaporation and prevents the paint from clumping and sticking.
- Dark nail polish tends to clump faster than light or clear nail polish. This is because dark nail polish contains more color.
- When applying nail polish, keep in mind that it tends to wear off faster. However, thick nail polish tends to peel off faster.
Warning
- Avoid using acetone or nail polish remover to thin the nail polish.
- Do not shake the nail polish bottle. This can cause air bubbles.
- Sometimes nail polish can no longer be stored and must be thrown away.
- Nail polish can expire. Do not use nail polish that has separated, thickened, or smells bad.
- Nail polish thinner may not be effective for glitter nail polish. Glitter nail polish often can no longer be stored and must be thrown away.
