DIY: How to Remove Gel Polish
4:08 PM
A break from all the Bangkok reports. :) Gel polish is great for busy individuals. It's truly long-wearing, chip-resistant, and practically scratch-proof. It starts peeling weeks after application. But it is such a bitch to take off. Regular polish remover will NOT cut it. And having it done at a nail salon will cost you as much as a regular mani!
Here's how to remove gel polish at home, for a fraction of the price. This is based on internet research and careful observation and questioning of a nail technician who personally did this on myself.
A note: I recommend applying a coat of polish afterwards -- regular or gel, your choice. Bare nails after the trauma of gel polish removal look icky, even when done at a nail salon.
Hope this helps!
Here's how to remove gel polish at home, for a fraction of the price. This is based on internet research and careful observation and questioning of a nail technician who personally did this on myself.
- Materials needed: 100% pure acetone, nail file, orange stick (I didn't have one so I used half a tongue depressor :p), aluminum foil (one piece for each finger), and cotton.
- Briefly file the nail so the acetone can penetrate through the top coat.
- Place an acetone-soaked cotton ball on the nail. Before doing this, you may opt to protect your skin by placing a small amount of cuticle oil or moisturizer on the nail fold. I used Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil.
- Wrap the nail in foil to secure the cotton in place. Do this for all manicured fingers and toes.
- Let soak for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the foil and cotton. You will see the polish starting to peel off the nail. It looks kinda gross.
- Push the polish off the nail with the orange stick.
- Remove polish remnants with the acetone-soaked cotton ball, then moisturize with cuticle oil. I used Jericho Cuticle Oil.
- Ta-da! Messy desk, clean nails.
A note: I recommend applying a coat of polish afterwards -- regular or gel, your choice. Bare nails after the trauma of gel polish removal look icky, even when done at a nail salon.
Hope this helps!
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