How To Remove Shellac Polish From Acrylic Nails

For anyone who has trouble making a normal manicure last more than than three days, discovering the magic of gel nails (near flawless for three weeks?!) can exist life changing. Only the worst part almost gel nails is that moment when you need to have them off and you just can't.

The options are basically stab and scrape and peel your fingernails with various objects for what feels similar hours or caput dorsum to the salon to pay someone else to take them off. With social distancing and self-quarantining for coronavirus, the latter isn't fifty-fifty an option correct now.

So, I tested three methods to meet if at that place was a better mode.

Method #1: The shop-bought jar

You'll demand: Whatever production you pick up in the smash polish aisle at the drugstore.

If you lot tin swing by your local drugstore, there a lot of "over-the-counter" gel removal options to try. The frustrating part is that you can't know how they work until you go them home.

This one was substantially an acetone-soaked sponge in a jar. The instructions told me to stick my finger in the jar and twist, implying that with this unproblematic move, my nail color would magically come off. So I twisted and twisted and twisted ...

... and, null. I tried so many times! There was no style the shine was coming off.

And after all that twisting, nothing happened! — And subsequently all that twisting, zippo happened! TODAY

The verdict: If yous go this route, you're taking a risk, and information technology's probable not worth your time, money or energy. Pass.

Method #2: Aluminum foil wraps

You lot'll need: Aluminum foil, a nail file, cotton balls and acetone blast polish remover.

The steps are pretty uncomplicated, and if yous've e'er gotten a gel manicure removed at the nail salon, this i volition seem familiar considering it's typically what the nail techs practice.

It's just like how they do it in the salon. — It's just like how they do information technology in the salon.

First, buff your fingernails with a nail file, removing the shiny coating of the gel smooth.

Then, soak a cotton ball in acetone until it's saturated. Put the soaked cotton brawl on tiptop of your buffed nail, and wrap your finger in a small foursquare of aluminum foil to proceed the cotton brawl in place. Repeat for all of your fingers.

Fix a timer for 10 minutes.

Remove the foil wraps, and apply the cotton wool balls to wipe off any leftover polish on your nails.

Finally, freedom for your fingertips! — Finally, liberty for your fingertips!

The verdict: B+. The cotton wool brawl soak left my fingers a disturbing shade of gray, simply the polish had bubbled and puckered during the 10 minutes, and then that was encouraging. The actual foil wrap procedure was extremely unwieldy and annoying, and it was difficult for me to do it on all my fingers. Plus, the cotton wool ball-swipe method to finish removing the polish didn't really piece of work, and that felt crude and kind of painful on my fingers. If you use something else, similar an orangish stick, to scrape off the leftover smoothen, this method is pretty constructive.

Method #3: The double boiler

You lot'll need: Two bowls, hot water, a boom file, acetone boom polish remover and an orange stick.

I beloved a double boiler when it comes to baking — hi, melted chocolate! — but I had no idea you lot could use it in any other context. Here's how it works as a boom polish remover.

First, buff your nails with a smash file to remove that shiny smoothen finish.

And then, fill a large basin with hot water and place a smaller bowl within. Pour acetone nail polish remover into that basin. Soak your fingers in the small basin for 10 minutes. Then, use an orange stick to button off the remaining shine.

The verdict: Success!!! This method was the hands-down winner. It was piece of cake, information technology was clean, it was super cheap — no real supplies required — and it was *super* effective. The polish simply pushed right off.

So, there you have it! Struggling with an old gel manicure? Avoid the urge to pare and become double boiling!

This article was published on Feb. 24, 2022.