If you spill enough of the polish remover to soak through the covering, stop what you’re doing and clean up the spill, then lay down fresh newspaper after the area is dry. Glossy pages torn out of a magazine are another good option for protecting your table or countertop. Pick somewhere comfortable to work, like at your desk or in front of your TV. This process can take about 30 minutes.
While this isn’t strictly necessary, it creates more surface area on your nails for the polish remover to cover, boosting its dissolving power. Since the nail polish remover you’re using is less powerful, this step may help you achieve better results.
If you don’t have cuticle oil, use a nourishing natural oil like olive, almond, coconut, or jojoba oil. You can also use petroleum jelly to create a protective barrier on the skin around your nails. [4] X Research source
Remember, it’s always better to make something a little bigger than you think it should be. You can always take some off if it’s too big, but you can’t add more if it isn’t big enough. The strips should be at least 2–3 sq in (13–19 cm2).
You can either apply the nail polish remover to the cotton ball from the bottle, or you can pour it into a small bowl and dip the cotton ball into the bowl. You can also use acetone-free nail polish remover pads, if you like. Fold them in half or cut them to size to minimize how much of the nail polish remover comes into contact with your skin. It’s best to work on one nail at a time, so only soak 1 cotton ball for now.
You can start working on any nail you want, but it’s best to wrap the nails on your dominant hand first. That’s because once it’s wrapped, you’ll have to switch hands. [8] X Research source If you’re right-handed, for instance, it will be easier to wrap your right hand if your left hand is still uncovered. Then, you can use your foil-tipped right hand to cover the nails on your left hand.
Make sure you have a secure fit, since the foil needs to hold the cotton ball in place.
Keep going until you’ve wrapped all 10 of your fingernails in the cotton balls and aluminum foil.
If the polish isn’t pulling away from the nail, wrap your fingers and wait another 5 minutes before you check again.
If the nail polish remover starts to bother your skin, you can take the foil off of your nails. However, the shellac may become gummy or tacky as it dries, making it harder to get off. If that happens, you might need to soak your nails again. You might need to re-wrap your nails if all of the polish doesn’t come off, so don’t throw the foil away.
Don’t worry if all of the polish doesn’t come off; just 1-2 swipes will be fine.
Wooden beauty tools can act as a breeding ground for bacteria. Orange sticks are inexpensive, so buy a pack of them and discard them after each use. Never share orange sticks, which increases the risk of infection. You can find these tools anywhere that sells beauty or nails supplies.
Acetone-free nail polish remover isn’t as powerful as a version with acetone, so you’ll sometimes have to soak your nails longer if the polish is especially stubborn.
When you’re finished, move on to the next nail until you’ve removed all of the polish.
You can also moisturize the skin around your nails, if you want.
