What to do if nail polish has thickened: how to dilute it at home and how to dilute dried nail polish

Quite often, girls do their own manicures themselves, which is why they periodically face the problem of choosing consumables and high-quality products that will be convenient to use to obtain a neat finish.

Since regular varnish is most often used at home, it dries out over time, making it difficult to work with. You can restore the condition of the base if you choose the right means for diluting it, so as not to harm the integrity of the future work.

Causes of thickening

One of the main components contained in each coating is formaldehyde . It plays the role of a fixative and must be added. The higher the concentration of formaldehyde, the sooner the consistency will thicken . This process is called natural thickening. Typically, more expensive products contain less formaldehyde, while cheaper ones contain more.

There are a number of other reasons for thickening and drying:

1. Frequent use . If the product is used frequently, then during the period of application, when the bottle is opened, the solvent evaporates and thickening occurs.
2. Rare use . In cases where the product, on the contrary, is used very rarely, its components separate and the consistency becomes thicker. A low-quality product under such conditions can dry out in 1.5-2 months.

To make the varnish thicken more slowly, you need to keep it in a cool environment. The ideal place is the refrigerator.

If you have a whole collection of different coverings, they will take up too much space in the refrigerator. Therefore, you can use a special decorative box to store them. All varnishes should be stored in an upright position and with the lid tightly screwed on.

Special thinner

Why does nail polish bubble, apply unevenly and thicken? Most manufacturers of nail polish coatings have provided a solution to this problem, so their range of products includes special compositions for diluting thickened enamels.

A thinner is a special composition that is designed to fill the enamel with liquid.

Important – when choosing, you should give preference to professional and high-quality thinners. In this case, a small amount of product will be required. It will restore the ability of the product to be evenly distributed over the surface of the nail plate.

The cost of one bottle of this product is slightly higher than the cost of one bottle of nail polish, however, it will last for a long period.

Important - can be used for coatings with acrylic and gel structures.

The advantage is that the thinner does not contain acetone, which ultimately makes it possible to restore the consistency of the varnish while maintaining its original shade.

Disadvantage - the quality indicators of the varnish coating will improve only for one month. Then it becomes thick again and will be unusable.

Video on how to dilute nail polish:

Rules of application

• Add 2 to 3 drops of diluent to the bottle. Close the bottle tightly and shake well. In a situation where the resulting varnish consistency is unsatisfactory, you can repeat the procedure.
• It’s important that you don’t add a lot of product at once. There is a risk that the varnish coating will change its color due to its too liquid state, which will make it impossible to use it for painting nails.
• The special diluent must be stored in a place inaccessible to children, out of direct sunlight and out of open fire, since it contains poisons and alcohol.
• Important - the product is strictly prohibited from being stored in the refrigerator, especially if it is in a glass container. The result is that the composition for diluting the enamel will be spoiled.
• The advantage of the thinner is that if the storage rules are followed correctly, it can be stored for several years.
• The optimal solution is to purchase a thinner from the same manufacturer as the nail polish itself, since they will have a similar composition of components.

Methods for thinning varnish

Nail polish thinner

First of all, this is a special product - varnish thinner .

Such solutions are prepared in such a way that they do not harm the quality or color of the coating, quickly dilute dried varnish, and the effect they provide lasts for a long time.

The affordable cost of the solvent makes it the best alternative to all home-made options.

Non-specialized products that can be found in every home are also suitable for dilution

• Metal balls . They help prevent thickening and extend the life of the varnish. The manufacturer places these balls inside the bottle, and it is thanks to them that you can shake the bottle well before each use. Good shaking prevents thickening.
• Nail polish remover . A budget dilution option that has many disadvantages . First, it's very difficult to add exactly the right amount of product, so you run the risk of making the coverage too thin. Secondly, during dilution, color pigments are destroyed , that is, the saturation of the shade decreases. And thirdly, the product, diluted with remover, dries on the nails for a very long time , which makes its use very uncomfortable.

Check out other tips for thinning polish with nail polish remover:

• Clear nail polish . The method of restoring colored varnish using transparent varnish is suitable only for 1-2 applications . This option is not a dilution, but a “pulling” of the color pigment from the thickened product into a normal one. Please note that the resulting shade will be less bright.


Diluting varnish with acetone

• Acetone . An extreme option for restoring varnish. Acetone perfectly dilutes dried varnishes, but it is important to remember that with the help of acetone it will be possible to revive the coating only for a short period, and the diluted product will have a negative effect on the nail plate .


Resuscitation of varnish in hot water

• Micellar water .
  An unusual and quite effective method. You will need to add 1 teaspoon of micellar water to the bottle and wait 7-10 minutes. After this, the varnish can be used. Unfortunately, in this case the consistency may become less uniform , and the varnish may become liquid and not very convenient for use.

To dilute the varnish at home, you can use a hot bath. Fill a small container of hot water and place a tube of thickened coating in it. The consistency will become thinner until the coating cools, so you will have to repeat the bath before each use.

If the gel has thickened

This could happen for the same reasons that spoil conventional coating. Plus, it is harmful for the gel to stand next to a working UV lamp: this also affects its composition. By the way, it contains other components, so methods that are relevant for regular varnish will not work here. Try using:

• professional diluents for the gel (sold in the same place where the gel itself is sold) is the best method, as safe as possible for the original composition;
• alcohol (or strong alcohol) – a few drops will quickly revive the coating.

Remember: alcohol affects the quality of the gel! The coating may begin to peel off and will not adhere well!

Review of professional solvents

Special solvents differ from each other not only in price and volume, but also in composition and quality.

Review of popular varnish solvents

How to use solvent

Using the solvent is very simple. To do this, just add 1-3 drops to a bottle of varnish , close it and shake . You can use it in just a few minutes: during this time the components will interact and the necessary reaction will occur.

Dried varnish is almost impossible to bring back to life. But even if you managed to obtain a liquid consistency, the quality of application will definitely be lost. Therefore, it is better not to waste your time and get rid of the damaged coating.

Why does it harden?

If we talk about the composition of the product, then gel polish consists of synthetic compounds, or polymers. They make the texture of the varnish initially thick, gel-like, durable and long-lasting. It is known that the polymer coating hardens solely under the influence of ultraviolet rays and a small percentage of the heat emanating from the lamp.

Despite the fact that gel polish has a more viscous structure compared to classic nail polishes, it tends to harden if not stored properly. This can lead not only to inconvenience associated with its application, but also significantly affect the quality of the coating: short-lived, non-uniform with possible chips. Gel polish in a bottle hardens for a number of reasons, including:

• Improper storage of the product: in a too warm room, near heating devices or sunlight (on a window, for example);
• The expiration date is coming to an end or has completely expired.

You will learn more about why gel polish hardens and how to make it more liquid in the following video.

Preventing varnish thickening

In any case, even using special means, it is quite difficult to return the varnish to its ideal original consistency. The following simple rules will help prolong his life:

Organization of storage space for varnish

• Storage . Heat and sunlight are the main causes of natural thickening. If it is not possible to store the container in the refrigerator, choose a dark, cool place away from sunlight.
• Oxygen saturation . Before closing the lid, the varnish must be saturated with oxygen. To do this, just blow inside . This simple procedure will displace oxygen and prolong the life of the consistency.
• Cleaning the lid . During use, a small amount of dried varnish accumulates on the lid. Subsequently, it turns out to be enough for a small gap to form and air to flow inside. After this, the varnish may thicken faster. Therefore, be sure to remove dried substances from the brush and cap using acetone or special products .
• Shaking . If you plan to use the product rarely, do not forget to shake it periodically . The same must be done before each use .

When taking care of your nails, give preference to high-quality varnishes with low formaldehyde content and the presence of metal balls inside. If the product does thicken, then it is best to use a special solvent to restore it, which will not spoil the quality of the coating and will save your time and money.

More interesting articles:

Basic breeding rules

Regardless of which varnish thinner you use, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Make sure that the cosmetic product needs to be diluted. Sometimes it is enough to simply shake the bottle so that the liquid acquires a normal consistency.
2. The solvent must be used in a minimal amount, otherwise the product will become too liquid.
3. After adding the solvent, close the bottle so that the product and varnish mix, and shake after five minutes. After this, you can start manicure.
4. If, as a result of dilution, the varnish has become too liquid, the bottle should be left open for a while: part of the liquid will evaporate and the consistency will return to normal.