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Two Ways to Easily Remove Glitter and Dark Nail Polish

I really, really LOVE glitter and anything else that sparkles and shines. I’m not a typical girly-girl, but something about glitter just hits the spot! As far as nail polish goes I used to completely avoid it just at the thought of having to remove it. But since I found the online nail art community, I have learned a couple quick and easy methods to take glitter nail polish off in 5 minutes or less.

Let there be glitter!

5 Minute Soaking Method/The Foil Method

This is probably the most common method to remove heavy coats of glitter polish, or other stubborn polishes in 5 minutes or less. Sometimes referred to as “The Foil Method” but you can achieve a good soak a few different ways. The objective here is to soak your nail bed in polish remover for 2-5 minutes.

  • Pros – Great if you want a long lasting manicure. Very easy, fast, and uses common supplies that are cheap and easy to attain.
  • Cons – Smelly and can be drying to your nails and cuticles without proper follow up moisturization.

It can look a little ridiculous, but it works!

Glitter Removal Finger Soakers

Glitter Removal The Foil Method

Gather Your Supplies

You will need some common nail supplies, plus a few household items:

  • 100% Acetone or Easy DIY Gentle Glycerin Acetone
  • Cotton, cotton balls, or cotton pads (whole or cut up)
  • Something to hold the cotton to your nail bed:
    • Aluminum foil – ripped or cut into small rectangles
    • Finger soakers
    • Rubber bands (Possible you might get remover on stuff and make sure not to put them on too tightly!)
  • Thick lotion
  • Hand soap
  • Cheap, soft toothbrush

Glitter Removal Soaking Method Supplies

 Soaking Method Steps

  1. Cotton – Soak a piece of cotton large enough to completely cover your nail bed in polish remover.
  2. Secure – Press the soaked cotton over your nail bed and secure using your chosen method.
  3. Soak – Soak for 2-5 minutes. Really stubborn polishes may take up to 10 minutes.
  4. Wiggle it Off – Wiggle the cotton gently back and forth as you remove it to further wipe off your now loosened nail polish.
  5. Clean Up – Use the soaked cotton to remove any polish left behind.
  6. Moisturize – Apply the thick lotion to your hands and massage in for 1-2 minutes. Apply a bit of hand soap then gently scrub your nail bed and underneath your nails using the toothbrush. This will clean up your hands, remove any remaining bits, and remove the acetone smell from your hands.

That’s it! Easy and effective.

White PVA Glue Glitter Removal Tutorial

This method is pure genius! Great when you want to have super glittery tips for a day or two but don’t want the hassle of taking it off. Not a longer wear manicure technique, but you won’t believe how easy it makes taking glitter polishes off, no matter how many layers you put on!

Pros – Dries clear, less drying, and doesn’t damage your nails. Same as the soaking method – easy, fast, and uses common supplies that are cheap and easy to attain. Even faster removal than the soaking method and much easier.

Cons – Not a good technique if you want a long lasting manicure and may lift on the edges and ruin your manicure if you’re not a little careful. I have gone about a week average before getting snags, only few days less than a really good manicure would last.

White PVA Glue Glitter Removal Supplies

Gather Your Supplies

You will need some common nail supplies, plus a few household items:

  • All the glitter polishes!
  • White school glue (PVA, such as Elmer’s)
  • Clean polish brush or wide nail art brush
  • Cuticle stick
  • Polish remover
  • Q-tips
  • Thick lotion
  • Hand soap
  • Cheap, soft toothbrush

White PVA Glue Glitter Removal Tutorial

White PVA Glue Glitter Removal Step 1White PVA Glue Glitter Removal Step 2White PVA Glue Glitter Removal Step 3White PVA Glue Glitter Removal Step 4White PVA Glue Glitter Removal Step 5White PVA Glue Glitter Removal Step 6

White PVA Glue Glitter Removal Steps

  1. Glue Coat – Put a drop of glue in the center of your nail.
  2. Spread Out – Use a brush to immediately spread it out just like you would any nail polish. You will only need one medium to thick layer.
  3. Dry to Clear – Will dry to clear in 5-10 minutes depending on how much glue you used. Allow to dry completely.
  4. Glitter! – Paint your nails as you normally would, using your favorite glitters or dark color polishes. You won’t need a basecoat here since it really doesn’t have any purpose anymore.
  5. Lift an Edge – Once you are done with your fabulous glittery manicure use a cuticle stick to lift an edge of your polish.
  6. Peel Off – Once you get a bit up you will be able to peel the polish right off in one big glittery chunk! Use a q-tip soaked in polish remover to get any remaining polish or bits of glue.

Follow up by using a thick lotion and massage in for 1-2 minutes. Apply a bit of hand soap then gently scrub your nail bed and underneath your nails using the toothbrush. This will clean up your hands, remove any remaining bits, and remove the acetone smell from your hands.

Polishes I used for the above look:

  • Wet n Wild – On a Trip (purple base)
  • Maybelline – Pretty In Polka (color show)
  • New York Color – Big City Dazzle (minute sparkle topcoat)

Tips

  • I found that just about any white glue works, but you can experiment with any glues you have on hand. The non-washable Elmer’s worked a lot better for me than the washable kind, for example (it also didn’t get pulled up as easily).
  • Wash and dry your hands carefully and wear gloves when doing chores to keep your glue manicure intack.
  • Your glue coat may come out a bit bumpy, which might be okay for you. If you are putting a good amount of glitter nail polish on top, you won’t be able to tell in the end anyway. If you are using a finer glitter see the next tip.
  • If you need your base glue coat to be smooth and are having trouble with it, you can add a little water to the glue first to make it apply smoother. See the second resource below for full instructions on adding water.

Here is what a full manicure looks like removed.

White PVA Glue Glitter Removal Full Manicure

Resources

Further instructions and different views in these awesome resources:

2 comments

  1. Hey, i have really long nails one of them is almost two inches long everybody always gawks at them.I never really paint them cause it takes so long but i keep buying polish. I eventually did paint them with Sally Hanson velvet lush the first two coats were dull as mud but a coat of clear shined them up.Wore it for a couple of weeks till it started to chip off.Then i tried to take it off i thought id never get it off.I soaked them in remover and it dissolved it. There is still a little bit on my thumb nail i will have to go over again.I guess the color was just to dark.

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