Are you tired of looking forward to painting your nails only to find that the nail polish has dried completely? Stop throwing away premium quality vials. A few tricks are enough to extend the duration of the enamel as much as possible; you can also restore it to its natural state when it has already dried by simply using a little thinner.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Changing Storage Habits
Step 1. Put the cap on the vial when you are not using the brush
The first factor that makes nail polish dry is the fact that you leave it open when you are not applying it. A good general rule to respect is to always keep the container closed when you are not using it. If you stop using one color or switch to another, you should not leave the vial open; take those few seconds it takes to screw the cap on. Remember that nail polish is specifically formulated to dry quickly when it comes into contact with air, whether it's on your nails or not.
It is important to screw the cap well; if you leave it a little open, air can enter or it can create some problem on the thread of the cap (read below)
Step 2. Store the nail polish in a cool, dark place, such as the refrigerator
Heat and light are to be avoided if you want to properly store the product; try to put it in a place away from the sun and other heat sources to make it last longer.
If you have some space in the fridge, this is a great place to store it; alternatively, keep it in a closed cabinet (rather than on an outside shelf)
Step 3. Shake the vial every few days
If you leave it for long periods, its contents are more likely to start drying out. To avoid this, roll it in your hands from time to time or turn it over a few times. If you paint your nails regularly, just shake it a little each time you use it; otherwise, take a few seconds to shake it every 2-4 days.
Proceed gently; if you shake it too hard, you favor the formation of bubbles in the glaze, which would make the subsequent application less uniform
Step 4. Clean the residue on the cap thread
If traces of enamel remain on the threads (the spiral edges on the end of the bottle onto which the cap is screwed), they can prevent proper tightening and allow air to pass through. Fortunately, it is not difficult to clean this part of the container from the encrusted enamel. Here's how to do it:
- Wet a cotton ball or Q-tip with nail polish remover. Squeeze it to get most of the liquid back into its container - you need to keep the cotton from getting too soggy.
- Gently rub the thread; dry enamel should begin to dissolve. If necessary, wet the cotton or cotton swab once more with the solvent; when finished, blot the clean edge with a paper towel.
- Avoid the solvent getting into the nail polish vial, otherwise you could compromise its consistency and ruin the whole product if a large amount gets into it.
Part 2 of 2: Rehydrate the Dry Nail Polish
Step 1. Add a few drops of diluent to the vial
If the nail polish has dried completely, you don't necessarily have to throw it away; there are some simple remedies to restore it to its original state. The simplest way is to add some white spirit to the container. Use an eyedropper for this, as you don't need much of it.
- Work in a well-ventilated area. The fumes released by the solvent can be dangerous in small rooms. If the weather permits, the ideal is to work outdoors, otherwise open the door or window and turn on a fan.
- The thinner is available in most paint shops and DIY stores and shouldn't cost more than a few euros per pack. You can find cans of half a liter, one liter or different formats; choose the one that seems most convenient for your needs.
Step 2. Shake the container well to mix the ingredients
After adding a few drops of diluent, screw the cap on the vial and shake it gently. You can also turn it upside down or use the brush to mix the contents. The thinner should gradually loosen the dry nail polish and bring it back to a liquid consistency.
If the glaze is too thick, pour in more thinner (one drop at a time) and continue mixing; when you are satisfied with the consistency, do not add more
Step 3. Alternatively, use clear polish
If you don't have the thinner on hand, you can achieve a similar effect by putting some clear nail polish in the bottle of the colored and dry one. Proceed with a couple of drops at a time and shake the package just like you would the diluent. This solution is more effective with glazes not yet completely dry.
Remember that this remedy could alter the color and texture of the nail polish; however, it shouldn't completely ruin it. You should still be able to use it as soon as it becomes liquid again
Step 4. Do not use nail polish remover
This product brings the enamel back to a liquid state, but there is the risk of exaggerating with the quantities, making all the color too liquid; as a result, the polish does not adhere very well to the nails. Since it is not easy to use it correctly, it is best to avoid it.
Advice
- If the cap of the nail polish bottle is stuck due to encrustations, put it under hot running water to loosen it. Grab it firmly with the help of a rag and twist it to open it. If necessary, you can apply nail polish remover to the cap with a cotton swab.
- Follow all safety precautions on the products you use. Nail polish and thinner are flammable or poisonous if swallowed, especially the thinner.
