Q&A for How to Paint Your Nails Without Making a Mess

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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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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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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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Question

Can I use any type of liquid glue, or does only Elmer's glue work?

Community Answer

Any wet glue will work, just as long as it dries and peels the same way.

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Question

Will the polish smudge with Vaseline?

Community Answer

It probably will, if it hasn't set or dried properly. You could actually dip your fingers in ice water to make sure that your nails dry faster. Although this doesn't work at all times.

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Question

How do I paint my nails neatly with just nail polish?

Community Answer

Paint your nails very carefully. If you get any on the skin around your nails, try and wipe it off. If you can't, wait until you are done, then clean up the edges using a thin brush dipped in nail polish remover. Afterwards, take a long, hot shower and rub off any nail polish left on your skin.

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Question

My nail polish doesn't dry for a long time, no matter what I do, how can I get them to dry quicker? (I have tried doing thin coats and more.)

Community Answer

Your polish is likely too old and won't set. Drying time increases with age.

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Question

Can I use shea butter?

Community Answer

Yes, you can.

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Question

How can I remove my nail polish?

Awwkwardness

Community Answer

You can remove nail polish by using acetone or a polish remover (you buy those from a drugstore) and a cotton ball. If you don't have those, a quick solution would be to apply nail polish on your nails and wipe away while they're wet. It'll remove all the polish you have underneath.

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Question

Do I have to use red sparkling polish?

Community Answer

Nope, you can use any color you want!

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Question

Can I use anything else to remove leftover bits?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

Let your nail dry completely, use a lip balm or Vaseline on the leftover bits to soften their hold on your skin, and use a wooden or rubber cuticle pusher to pick off the dried polish.

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Question

Can I use hair spray?

Community Answer

No, hair spray wouldn't work.

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Question

I have seen people use paper to put their polish on when dotting, instead of dipping into the bottle of polish. What kind of paper do they use?

Community Answer

You can use a specific nail polish paper that you put around your nail paint and then remove. Otherwise, put tape around the nail paint and then peel the tape off.

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Question

Does it have to be Elmer's glue?

Community Answer

You can try using liquid latex or a latex-based nail product, just make sure you're not allergic to latex.

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Question

I tried the glue method and it failed badly. What in the world am I doing wrong?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

You're not doing anything wrong. Glue and glue-based nail products don't peel well at all. Try using latex or a latex-based product, if you don't have an allergy to latex. If you do, there's a product that looks like a bib or apron for your nail that doesn't contain latex and will still protect your skin from nail polish.

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Question

Will lip gloss work?

Community Answer

A little lip gloss will be fine on the skin around the nail. The function of it is just to stop the polish from sticking to your skin. Just be sure to apply whatever you use carefully and avoid letting it touch the nail itself, as this will stop the polish from sticking to your nail.

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Question

Can I use coconut oil?

Community Answer

Yes, that is a safe, healthy oil to use for any part of you body. Make sure to get an authentic, organic, non-processed coconut oil.

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Question

These are all great tips, but my problem is that for some reason polish won’t stay on for more than a few days on my nails. What can I do to make it stay longer?

Community Answer

Use a base and top coat, and make sure each layer fully dries before you paint it on. Before painting, scrub a little bit of acetone over your nail. Strangely, drying out the nail can make nail polish adhere for longer.

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Question

What if my nail polish gets cakey and clumpy?

Community Answer

Add a teaspoon or so of nail polish remover or acetone into the bottle and then shake for about 30 seconds!

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Question

Do I put Vaseline around my nail or on the nail?

Community Answer

Put the Vaseline around the nail, unless you are massaging your nails before. Otherwise, it will make the nail polish uneven.

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Question

Can I use PVA or clear glue for this?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as it can peel off easily.

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Question

Should I take off the Vaseline before or after it dries?

Kyrie Smith

Community Answer

After it dries, mainly because if you do it before it dries, you could end up wiping your nail polish off.

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Question

After drying my nail polish I want to get the extra parts off around my skin but it’s already dry so I do I get my nail polish off after it’s dry?

Madi

Community Answer

You can try using acetone (nail polish remover). Or, you can take a hot shower, and scrape the excess polish off your skin.

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