A popular beauty tool that gives our nails a pop of color and style is nail paint. But nothing is more annoying than picking out your preferred shade just to discover it’s sticky and hard to apply. This tutorial will assist you in understanding why nail polish becomes sticky and how to smooth and reuse it, regardless of whether you’re an enthusiast for manicures or only occasionally paint your nails.
Why Does Nail Polish Become Sticky?
Numerous factors, all originating from the product’s chemistry, might cause nail polish to become sticky. By being aware of these causes, you can avoid and resolve the issue.
Nail Polish Age
Aging is one of the main causes of sticky nail polish. Nail polish has many ingredients, such as pigments, solvents, and resins, can break down over time. The residual polish gets thicker and harder to apply smoothly as the solvents dissipate. Though this might vary depending on the brand and formulation, nail polish typically has a shelf life of one to two years.
Improper Storage
A major additional element that leads to the thickness of nail polish is improper storage. To prevent light, heat, and air exposure, nail polish should be kept in a cool, dark place. These substances hasten the solvents’ evaporation, which causes the polish to thicken too soon. You may notice your nail paint getting sticky sooner if you regularly leave it in warm places or the sun.
Regular Use
Each time you open a nail polish bottle, air is introduced into the holding capacity. The solvents in the polish react with the oxygen in the air, causing them to evaporate. Regular use and opening and closing of the bottle make this problem worse, which eventually results in a stickier, thicker polish.
Pollution
Nail polish might also get sticky due to contamination. The polish’s consistency can change if dust, lint, or leftover polish from a prior application is added. To prevent contamination, it is crucial to make sure that the brush and bottleneck are clean.
How to Prevent Nail Polish from Becoming Sticky
It is easier to stop nail paint from getting sticky before it thickens than to correct it after it has. Your nail polish will last longer if you follow to a few easy storage and usage guidelines.
Proper Storage
Sustaining the consistency of your nail paint requires appropriate storage. To properly preserve your nail paint, follow these comprehensive instructions:
- Keep Nail Polish Cold and Dark: Avoid exposing nail polish to heat sources or direct sunlight. Good options are a cold cupboard, a drawer, or a dark-shaded nail polish organizer. The polish’s chemical structure may be broken down by heat and sunlight, which would thicken it.
- Store Upright: Make sure to keep the bottles of nail paint upright at all times. Polish can get thicker if it is stored horizontally or upside down because doing so can result in leaks and air exposure.
Tighten the Cap
To keep air out of the bottle, make sure the cap is firmly secured after each use. Here are some pointers:
- Seal Tightly: Ensure that the cap is securely shut after applying your nail paint. This reduces exposure to air and aids in preserving the consistency of the polish.
- Check for any Leaks: Periodically look for any indications of leakage in the cap. Move the polish to another airtight bottle if the cap is damaged or not sealing tightly enough.
Cleaning the Bottle Neck
Maintaining your nail polish requires doing an often-missed but crucial step. This is how you do it:
- Wipe the Neck: To clean the bottle’s neck after each use, dunk a cotton pad in nail paint remover. By doing this, polish buildup on the neck is avoided, which could disrupt the seal and let air into the bottle.
- Frequent Maintenance: Develop the habit of cleaning the bottle’s neck on a frequent basis. This will guarantee that the cap always closes correctly, preserving the freshness of your polish.
Don’t shake the bottle.
The polish may thicken as a result of air bubbles introduced by shaking the bottle. Try these techniques instead:
- Roll: To mix the polish, roll the bottle between your palms as opposed to shaking it. By mixing the polish without adding air bubbles, this technique preserves its consistency.
How to Fix Sticky Nail Polish
Don’t worry if your nail polish has already started to become sticky! It can be effectively restored to its original consistency using a number of techniques. Here’s a thorough explanation of each technique:
Use a thinner nail polish.
The purpose of nail polish thinner is to precisely bring thickened nail polish back to its original consistency. This is how to apply it:
- Add Thinner: Fill the bottle with a couple of drops (two to three) of nail polish thinner.
- Shake Well: To combine the thinner and polish, give the bottle a good shake.
- Check and Retest: Check the polish’s uniformity. Shake again after adding a few more drops of thinner if it’s still too thick. Continue doing this until the required level of uniformity is reached.
Warm Water Bath
Thick nail lacquer can momentarily become more fluid in a warm water bath, which facilitates application:
- Pour Something Into a Bowl: Pour some warm (not boiling) water into a bowl; too much heat can cause harm to the polish.
- Put the Bottle in Water: Make sure the nail polish bottle’s cap is securely fastened to keep out water before placing it in the basin.
- Hold off for a short while: Give the bottle two to three minutes to settle in the heated water.
- Roll the Bottle: To mix the polish, roll the bottle between your hands after taking it out of the water.
Store in the Refrigerator
Refrigerating nail lacquer helps keep its consistency and reduce solvent evaporation:
- Refrigerate: Before using, let the nail polish bottle sit in the fridge for ten to fifteen minutes.
- Roll to Mix: To mix the polish, roll the bottle between your hands after taking it out of the refrigerator.
Add a Few Drops of Pure Acetone
As a last option, you can use pure acetone if you don’t have nail polish thinner. Take care, as this technique may gradually cause the polish to fade:
Add Acetone: Fill the nail polish bottle with one or two drops of pure acetone.
Shake Well: To blend, give the bottle a good shake.
Check and Retest: If additional acetone is needed, check the consistency and add it, but take care not to add too much.
Extra Advice on Sustaining the Quality of Nail Polish
There are other suggestions you can adhere to to make sure your nail polish stays in excellent condition in addition to the fundamentals of preventing and correcting sticky nail polish:
Keep Your Workspace Clean
Maintaining a tidy work area aids in avoiding nail polish contamination. Before applying polish, make sure that the area around your nails and any dust or lint is clear.
Use High-Quality Products
Its longevity and performance can be greatly improved by spending money on high-quality nail polish. As alluring as they can be, less expensive polishes frequently have shorter shelf lives and are more likely to become sticky.
Keep Expiration Dates in Mind
You can run out of nail polish. Time causes it to lose its quality even if it doesn’t always become hazardous to use. With the average nail polish’s 1-2 year shelf life, it’s a good idea to write the date of purchase on the bottle so you can keep track of it.
FAQs
1: Can I use nail polish remover to thin out my nail polish?
It is not advised to thin out nail polish using nail polish remover. The polish’s formula may be broken down by the solvents in remover, which could result in uneven application and wear. As an alternative, use a good nail polish thinner.
2: How can I tell if my nail polish is too old and needs to be discarded?
If your nail polish has changed color, has a strong, unusual odor, or remains thick and sticky despite using a thinner, it’s likely too old and should be discarded.
3: Can I store my nail polish in the bathroom?
Because of the temperature swings and high humidity in the bathroom, nail paint can thicken and deteriorate more quickly, so it’s better to avoid storing it there.
4: How often should I clean the neck of my nail polish bottle?
After each application, clean the neck of your nail polish bottle to avoid buildup and guarantee a tight seal, both of which contribute to the consistency of the polish.
5: What should I do if my nail polish brush is also sticky?
Pure acetone can be used to clean a stuck brush. After soaking the brush in acetone for a few minutes, use a tissue to clean it. Before reattaching it to the bottle, let it dry fully.
Conclusion
Although sticky nail polish might be annoying, you can preserve the quality of your favorite colors with proper care and upkeep. The life of your nail polish can be prolonged and flawless, effortless application can be guaranteed with proper storage, frequent cleaning, and the use of nail polish thinner. To prevent your nail paint from becoming sticky in the first place, remember that prevention is vital and follow these recommendations.