No mani, don’t care? Yeah, I’ve nailed it, all right
Who needs another manicure tip? Hey, don’t dismiss this #BeautyHack out of hand. I’ve found the following technique to be absolutely indispensable when it comes to getting rid of polish past their prime.
Here’s the thing. The trendiest tints are fun while they last – ooh, ombre! negative space! glitter? sure, why not! – but their removal can be as tedious as ripping off your fingernails proper.
And we’re not even talking about crazy-ass, psychedelic polish. Basically, any hue that’s not taupe equals messy manicure removal – they stain your cuticles with flaky flotsam and jetsam resembling nothing so much as the ring of scum encircling your toilet.
Happily, there’s no need to wring your hands and swear off polish just yet. Here’s a neat two-minute trick that’s hands down the niftiest nugget of nail advice for #ManicureManiacs yet.
First, a list of the swag you need on standby: A good cuticle cream, your go-to nail polish remover, and a couple of soft cotton balls (emphasis on the “balls” bit; this doesn’t work as well with pads.)
Okay, what you do is to slap on oodles of cream around each nail-bed. Try Aveda’s deliciously scented Hand Relief Night Renewal Serum, which does double duty as an excellent targeted treatment; if you’re looking for a purse-friendly option, plain old petroleum jelly will do in a pinch. Whatever balm you decide to use serves as a physical barrier that prevents the polish from sliding off and staining your skin.
Next, dunk your cotton ball in your polish remover, fish it out – and this is the therapeutic bit if you’ve been having a bad day – tear it up into wet wedges to place atop each nail.
Let the pieces sit for a minute or so to work their magic, then smoosh the cotton piece into the nail and glide it down from cuticle to tip in one sweeping motion. With any luck, the polish should slide off cleanly, like a serpent shedding its skin.
And you’re done! All that’s left for you to do is to tie up any loose ends by patting your newly nude nails with a fresh cotton ball to sponge off any excess remover solution.
Easy enough, right? Try this out the next time your manicure is due for an overhaul; I’ll be crossing my fingers that it’ll work as well for you as it did for me!
