Painting your nails can be a fun way to express your personality. You can mix shades, add glitter for a sparkly effect, match your nails to your dress or brighten up a boring outfit with a colourful shade. But sooner or later, it will be time to take off your manicure and that’s no fun at all. Removing nail polish can take quite a long time, get messy and dry your hands. So, here’s a technique that will make the process easier and gentler:
1. Gather your tools
Get some cotton balls and a nail polish remover. I prefer acetone-based ones, because they are more effective and do the job quicker. It’s true that they can dry out your nails and cuticles, but as long as you don’t use them too often (I change my polish only once a week) and apply a hand cream afterwards you’ll be fine. But if you want something gentler, and don’t mind spending a bit more time to take off your manicure, you can opt for an acetone-free remover too.
2. Prep the nails
Soak the cotton pad in the nail polish remover. Then, press it onto the nail and hold it there for about 30 seconds. This will help loosen the polish, which will then be easier to take off.
3. Wipe it all off!
Wipe from the base of the nail to the tip and repeat for as many times as are necessary to remove all the polish. Wiping the nail in an upward direction will make sure that the colour won’t end up all over (and stain) your fingers.
4. Moisturize
When all your nails are clean, wash your hands. They will feel a bit dry now, so apply a good hand cream to replenish the moisture they have lost. If your nails are particularly dry, then you can also give them a break by waiting a couple of days before applying nail polish again.
How do you remove your nail polish?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I hate removing nail polish….and I don’t have the patience to hold it on nails, or wrap my nails in it. i am guilty of….rubbing off the nail polish vigorously! oops! bad i know so i make it up by applying oil to re-mosturize my nails and cuticles
xin´s last [type] ..Handy Makeup Tips from Dior Private Coaching Session
Xin, I used to do that too but I find that holding the remover over the nail for about 30 seconds actually makes you save time as the nail polish gets removed a lot quicker and with a lot less rubbing. Do give it a try, at least on one nail and see how you like it.
My nails get really brittle, so the most important thing, for me, is waiting for a few days between manis.
Ana´s last [type] ..drklands:
Doors (1980) By Robyn Beeche
Ana, I think that’s always a nice habit as applying nail polishes too soon all the time can really take its toll on the nails.
Ugh i hate to remove nail polish specially when it just doesn’t want to come off!!!!! And my fav on nails is glitter but then again it is a real nail biter (haha) to get rid off!!!! Btw you just reminded me to moisturize my hands so thanks haha!!/Azure
Azure, you’re welcome. And removing dark or glitter nail polishes is a real pain in the neck. This technique does help in removing it faster though.
I don’t rub off my nail polish from the base of the nail up, and I’m going to start doing that. I usually just lay a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover on my nail for 3 seconds then rub it until the polish comes off.
I’m still waiting for the day when glitter comes off easily.
Janessa, me too. That would be awesome. I like glitter nail polishes but I don’t wear them often because they are a pain to remove!