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When you reach the end of the nail polish bottle, give pause before tossing it out. There is still more you can do with it yet!
Steps
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Add a few drops of nail polish thinner to the bottle. Put the lid back on firmly. [1] X Research source
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Give the bottle a good shake. The nail polish thinner will help to release any congealed nail polish, making it usable again. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Use as usual, until it's all gone.
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Work over a surface where it's okay to make stains. One good way is to line a counter with several layers of newspaper and work over an old ice cream container placed on this paper surface.
- See Warnings below for ventilation and proper disposal.
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Tip the bottle over to empty out any nail polish that will come out on its own. Tip into a lidded container ready for proper disposal.
- This step may not be applicable, if so, simply skip to the next step.
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Add a few drops of nail polish thinner or paint thinner in the bottle if there are dried-up remnants of nail polish. Swish it about and dispose of the remains in a lidded container that you can dispose of properly. Don't wash it down the drain, as these contents may harm the environment.
- If you find there are dried-on blobs of polish that stubbornly resist removal, add nail polish thinner to cover, then soak for about five minutes. Then use a toothpick to pick off the stuck-on polish.
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Add some acetone to finish cleaning out all polish residue. Add the lid on tightly. Shake this around for about a minute, to lift off any remains and pick up the last of the nail polish. This will also clean the brush. Tip into the container, then dispose of the container properly. [3] X Research source
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Allow to dry fully. Then rinse out with soapy water.
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Allow to dry fully again. Once dried, it's ready for repurposing.
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Clean the brush as you clean the bottle if you need it. It might be already cleaned with the bottle but may need additional cleaning upon closer inspection. Allow to fully dry before reusing. [4] X Research source
- Only use non-toxic cleaners on the brush if the brush is to be reused on your body, although even if it's just for craft use, non-toxic is a good idea.
- If you don't need the brush but you do need the lid, such as for one of the storage options, simply snap the brush off at the highest point possible and dispose of it.
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Clean the bottle. See the cleaning method of the article for this. Remove the lid completely, as it is not needed for this project.
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Decorate the bottle. Use nail polish from other bottles to paint pretty designs onto the bottle. For example, flowers, stripes, patterns, etc. Allow to dry.
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Decide whether you'd like to add other features too. For example, you might stick on small artificial gems, beads or sequins.
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Use. The tiny vase can be used to hold a small bunch of dried flowers or leaves, or it could hold incense sticks, or anything long and skinny that you find decorative.
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Clean the bottle. See the cleaning method for this. Keep the brush applicator intact. [5] X Research source
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Start experimenting with making your own nail polish colors. Choose eyeshadow colors that you think would be interesting when combined with nail polish colors. Choose one eyeshadow to one nail polish to begin with. [6] X Research source
- Alternatively, choose clear nail polish if you just want the eyeshadow color.
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Start adding drops of nail polish and small amounts of powdered or crushed eyeshadow to the cleaned bottle. [7] X Research source
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Shake the bottle to combine the colors and items.
- If you like what you see, continue adding the colors in the same ratio, so as to make enough for continued use.
- If you don't like the colors, either abandon this combination (clean the bottle again), or adjust the ratios.
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Keep experimenting. Making your own nail polish colors can be a lot of fun and will have people asking you where you get your colors from.
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Clean the bottle. See the cleaning method for this. Decide whether or not keeping the brush is useful by the end use you're seeking.
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Use the bottle to keep loose makeup in. If makeup is powdery or liquid in nature, it may be suitable for storing in the bottle. This can be helpful if you have broken a container or if you only need a small amount to take with you to work or college.
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Use the bottle to keep cosmetics in when traveling. You can add shampoo, conditioner, makeup, etc. to the little bottle for short travel trips. Even liquid detergent for washing your delicates could be stored in the bottle.
- Use it for taking nail polish remover with you when you travel. Just be sure to screw the lid on very tightly.
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The great thing about this method is that you can easily see what is stored inside the bottle, making craft work easier.
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Clean the bottle. See the cleaning method for this.
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Decide which craft items would benefit from being kept in a small storage container. Some suggestions include: Glitter, sequins, seed or tiny beads, small buttons, tiny modeling items, etc. Simply fill the bottle with these items, then attach the lid (with the brush snapped off). When you need the little items or glitter, they'll be very easy to locate and use.
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Reuse the bottle as a glue dispenser. If you're tired of tipping up the huge bottle of craft glue every time, siphon some into the little glass bottle. Use the brush applicator in the lid to apply glue to your craft projects with ease.
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Keep hobby or modeling paints inside the nail polish bottle. This makes it easy to mix colors too and keep the mixed color longer.
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Community Q&A
Search
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QuestionHow can you clean out the bottle after you put makeup inside of it?Community AnswerYou can use liquid makeup remover and a tiny baby bottle brush or a pipe cleaner, or you can just pour the remover into it and shake it until the makeup is diluted. Then just wash it and you're done.
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QuestionHow do I make glitter polish?Community AnswerTake some glitter of your choice and apply it to transparent gel. Mix well until the mixture is as smooth as regular nail polish. Then apply to your nails. Wait for twenty minutes for best results.
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QuestionHow do I remove printed labels from the outside of the nail polish bottle?Community AnswerFill your sink with hot water, a few squirts of dish soap, and a few cups of vinegar. Let the nail polish bottle soak in there for a few minutes and the label should peel right off.
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Tips
- If a friend has a color you really like, ask if you can share some and siphon it into your newly cleaned bottle.Thanks
- If you're camping and have very slim, long candles, the nail polish bottle might be just ideal for holding them upright.Thanks
- Keep some of these little bottles clean and handy for collecting precious makeup or other liquids should the original container for such items accidentally break or crack. Having the bottles already cleaned and ready for use will give you the chance for fast rescues of expensive liquids!Thanks
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Warnings
- Always work in a well-ventilated area when handling chemicals such as nail polish thinner and acetone.Thanks
- Never use old nail polish bottles for food or drink. The residue from the nail polish cannot be guaranteed to be fully removed.Thanks
- Do not tip the contents of the nail polish container or the cleaning agents down the drain.Thanks
- Disposal of nail polish and nail polish bottles is subject to waste management rules, as the contents are as problematic for the environment as paint. Therefore, in many places, nail polish is considered household hazardous waste. [8] X Research source Contact your local waste management department to find out what method of disposal is preferred (in the USA, this will usually consist of dropping it off to those handling household hazardous waste).Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Old bottles of nail polish
- Nail polish thinner
- Soapy water
- Decorative items (optional)
- Other nail polish
- Eyeshadow in colors you like
References
- ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/how-to-fix-dry-nail-polish/
- ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/how-to-fix-dry-nail-polish/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp8Q_7dNTSI
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp8Q_7dNTSI
- ↑ https://www.beautylish.com/a/vcrzy/eye-shadow-nail-polish
- ↑ https://www.beautylish.com/a/vcrzy/eye-shadow-nail-polish
- ↑ https://www.beautylish.com/a/vcrzy/eye-shadow-nail-polish
- ↑ http://www.earth911.com/living-well-being/style/how-to-properly-dispose-of-nail-polish/
- Candiceyoureview.blogspot/2012/05/things-to-do-with-old-nail-polish.html – research source
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