We've all been there...
You go to use a beloved older lacquer...
and find it has gone all gloopy and gluggy!
What can you do to try to save it, and get at least ONE more application out of it?! Read on for some helpful tips!
Assessing The Situation
Firstly, do not pour nail polish remover (or acetone) into the bottle. Yes, it can be very tempting to try this, but it will only make things worse... much, much worse! It may appear to temporarily help, but the lacquer will not apply evenly and is also unlikely to dry properly. The remover will end up drying out the formula even more, and will make the polish totally un-salvageable.
Instead, try using Nail Lacquer Thinner, such as OPI’s “Nail Lacquer Thinner” (or another quality brand) instead. Thinner is specifically designed to "thin out" the formula of paints such as nail polish. Read on for some instructions regarding the use of thinner.
How To Use Thinner
- Add a few drops of thinner, then replace and close the lid.
- Gently roll the bottle between your hands for a minute or two.
- Carefully open the bottle and test the consistency of the lacquer.
- Repeat this process, carefully adding only 1-2 drops at a time, until the polish is restored to a good consistency.
- If time permits, let the bottle sit for a while (around 1 hour) before a final re-test of the consistency.
- Apply your resurrected lacquer to your nails!
Some Important Considerations
- Please note that the reason for rolling (rather than shaking) the bottle is to prevent bubbles forming and to help “warm” the polish through the glass bottle. This warmth can help in the re-blending process.
- Alternatively, placing the bottle in slightly warm water for a very short time can also help the formula to blend smoothly. This is particularly useful if you live in a cold climate and the polish is very thick and gooey.
- It is very important to add only a few drops of thinner at a time. It's easy to add more thinner, but you can't take it out! Less thinner is often required than expected initially.
- However, if the polish has really “dried out” (compared to just thickened), then unfortunately the only thing you can really do is buy a new bottle… or the closest “dupe” you can find if the shade is no longer available!
Prolonging the Life of Your Lacquer Going Forward
- Try to leave the lid off the bottle for the shortest time necessary (i.e. paint your nails then replace the lid as soon as possible, including between coats).
- Clean around the neck of your bottles with acetone or remover before storing them. This will ensure the bottles close properly and will also prevent stuck lids.
- Don’t subject the bottles to extreme temperatures, or any unnecessary sunlight (eg. storing your nail polishes on a sunny windowsill isn’t a good idea, even though it does look soooo pretty)!
Do you have any other tips to share?
Please comment below if you do.
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