We’ve all removed our nail polish without thinking twice about the whats and hows of it.
But let’s start from the beginning here.
Don’t peel it off. Yes, this might be satisfying to some or it might even be an unconscious habit of biting if off, picking them, and/or ripping them.
Although at first glance this may seem harmless, over time your nails may deteriorate and become more fragile. Your nails may not grow back for several months after the harm is done. And if that's not enough of an incentive for you, it also affects how nice your upcoming gel manicure will look.
Here comes the role of a professional.
Yet you don’t always have the time to go see a professional or you’d rather do it yourself from the comfort of your home.
And we’re here to save the day!
It's really simple to use a nail polish remover. But the question is: are there proper and/or improper uses for it?
Taking off nail paint can be difficult at times. This is due to the minimum requirement of 4 coats of polish in a decent manicure. A basecoat, two coats of lacquer, and a topcoat make up these coats.
A longer-lasting manicure is guaranteed by all those layers. However, they also make washing it off challenging. So, how do you properly apply nail polish remover?
The next five steps will show you how to remove nail polish more efficiently.
Step 1: Grab All Your Tools
Before starting, grab all your tools, choose a nice and comfy spot and get ready.
You’ll need the following:
1) Your favorite nail polish remover
2) Cotton pads or balls
3) A cover for your table or an old towel
4) Cuticle oil
Some tend to ignore the last product but we recommend you stick to it as it is highly helpful. Here are some of our favorite cuticle oils: the Breathable Treatment Oil by Orly, the Mavapen Nourishing Oil for Cuticles and Entity’s Cuticle Oil.
Step 2: Settling Down Comfortably
Choose your favorite spot whether it’s in front of the TV, on your desk or even on the floor. Then cover the area you’ll be working on with the cover you have or an old towel. We know this step isn’t mandatory but we recommend you follow it to protect your spot from any potential stain.
Step 3: Prepare Your Cotton like a Pro
You'll have to cut the cotton ball or strip it into tiny pieces. You'll actually need 10 pieces, each of which should be large enough to completely cover a nail.
Your cotton pieces should be soaked after adding some remover to the bottle's cap. Make sure the cotton isn't excessively moist or you'll end up with a mess.
If you’d rather op out of using cotton balls, we recommend you get our Mavala Mini Nail Polish Lacquer Remover Pads.
The mini size allows you to take it with you and Mavala works wonderfully. Those pads gently remove your nail polish, leaving your nails clean without drying. Its acetone-free formula conditions cuticles and nails without harming them. One pad will clean all ten nails and it is guaranteed to be no mess.
Step 4: Remove Your Nail Polish with Confidence
Let’s get into it!
Put a cotton ball, dipped in nail polish remover, on each nail. Avoid touching the skin near your nails if you're using an acetonenail polish remover because it will make your skin dry.
To keep the cotton in place, firmly press down on it. Leave it on for a minute and once it’s ready, push the cotton away from your nails.
Push the cotton firmly by applying pressure from the cuticle to the tip. Lacquer nail polish can be removed using this method.
If the cotton ball clings to the polish instead, then this means it barely had any remover on it. Add a little more and let the cotton absorb it for an additional minute.
Note that gel polish cannot be removed from your nails unless the remover contains acetone. You'll need to soak it for at least 10 minutes.
You can effortlessly remove any remaining polish from your nails. One cotton ball and some remover should be enough.
Step 5: Take Care of Your Nails and Your Hands
Your nails need some care now that they've been cleaned. To remove any residual nail polish remover, soak your hands in warm and soapy water – especially if your remover contains acetone. This is indeed a crucial step. Give your hands a five-minute soak before patting them dry. Use your favorite hand cream or lotion to hydrate them. Don’t forget to apply cuticle oil on your cuticles and nail bed in particular.
Our Favorite Nail Polish Removers
We know it’s always difficult to choose the perfect nail polish remover so we made a list of our favorites to help you!
1) The Clavo Nail Polish Remover by Vizo: This nail polish remover, with its unique formula and acetone content, guarantees effective removal of nail polishes - even the darkest shades!
2) The Orly’s Genius Remover: This remover works with all types of nail polish. It removes gel, lacquer, and glitter. This all in one is key to guaranteed effectiveness.
3) The Blue Remover by Mavala: This one is ideal for all nails except fragile and delicate nails. Mavala’s nail polish blue remover is an acetone-based classical with an efficient formula that quickly removes polish.
