How to Paint Your Nails Without Making a Mess

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Painting your nails can prove messy if you don't prepare the skin around the nails to adequately protect it from the polish. If you're in a hurry or just not that coordinated when adding nail polish, one of the following methods may help in preventing the nail polish from ending up on your skin.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Elmer's glue

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  1. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Your Nails Without Making a Mess
    Place it directly on your skin, using a Q-tip. [2]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Your Nails Without Making a Mess
    Use appropriate care, knowing however that small brush strokes onto the skin will be easy to remove. [3]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Your Nails Without Making a Mess
    It will lift up any nail polish that went onto it. Dispose of appropriately. [4]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Your Nails Without Making a Mess
    Dip a napkin in water, and spread where the glue is still stuck to your skin. Doing this will make it easier to get rid of. [5]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Vaseline or petroleum jelly

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Your Nails Without Making a Mess
    Do this for each nail. [6]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Your Nails Without Making a Mess
    If any excess polish is on your skin, all you need to do is wipe off the Vaseline and the mess is all gone. [7]
  3. [8]
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  • Question
    How do I cut my nails neatly, and without creating pointy bits?
    Community Answer
    One way is to make short cuts and go around your whole nail. Another is to do one cut on the left, then the right, and then in the middle. Then, if there are still any points left, cut them until the nail is well rounded. Also, using a nail file to rub down the edges to finish it off neatly.
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    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 62
  • Question
    How can I take off nail polish when I don't have a remover?
    Community Answer
    If you have clear nail polish, brush a thin coat on each nail and wipe it off before it dries. It should remove the nail polish underneath.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 60
  • Question
    Will any lip balm work instead of Vaseline?
    Community Answer
    Yes, although lip balms with color will not work so well.
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      Tips

      • Nail polish remover can be used to remove nail polish that ends up on your skin.
        Thanks
        Helpful 5 Not Helpful 2
      • As an alternative to glue or petroleum jelly, apply clear tape to the skin around your nails and remove it when you're done painting them.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Push your cuticles back before you begin painting and only use a little bit of polish to create up to 3 thin coats.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If your nail polish looks messy and you don't have anything to stop it from getting on your skin, wait until you're in the shower or stick your hands in warm water once your nail polish has firmly dried. Then, just scrape the nail polish off your skin!
      • Apply liquid latex around your cuticles and nails before you start applying any polish. This helps prevent the polish from making a mess.
      • If your nail polish is becoming tacky and thick, put a tiny drop of nail polish remover in and shake the bottle.
      • Use a base coat to protect your nail from stains and use a top coat so your nail polish will last longer.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Liquid Elmer's glue
      • Napkin
      • Water
      • Vaseline or petroleum jelly


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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.today.com/video/how-elmer-s-glue-is-the-secret-to-a-perfect-manicure-770033731669
      2. ↑ https://www.today.com/video/how-elmer-s-glue-is-the-secret-to-a-perfect-manicure-770033731669
      3. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/a6317/nail-art-hacks/
      4. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/a6317/nail-art-hacks/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC8P7sb6XvQ
      6. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/nail-hacks/
      7. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/a30544/vaseline-beauty-hacks/
      8. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/a30544/vaseline-beauty-hacks/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Nail polish can be messy, but you can use Elmer’s glue to keep the skin on your hands clean. Start by using a Q-tip to smear Elmer’s glue on the skin directly around your nails. Paint your nails as normal, then once they’re dry, peel off the glue from your fingers. Alternatively, you can use petroleum jelly to keep your hands clean. Simply spread it on the skin around your fingernails before painting. Once your nail polish is dry, wash your hands with soap and water to remove the petroleum jelly. To learn how to remove leftover dried glue from your skin with water, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Melinie Hawkins

        Dec 13, 2016

        "It helped me because with my left hand, it is hard for me, so my right hand looks a mess but my left hand looks ..." more
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