Lindsay Ray
Have you ever reached for your favorite bottle of nail polish, only for it to break your heart by being thick and goopy? Like opening your makeup bag and noticing your compact powder has crumbled to bits, it’s a really sucky feeling.
The good news is there are ways to fix thickened nail polish that will have you sporting your favorite color in no time.
The best way to thin out nail polish is to use a nail polish thinner, explicitly designed for this dilemma. After adding a drop or two of nail polish thinner directly to the bottle, rub the bottle in your palms instead of shaking it to prevent air bubbles from forming.
For those who need a quick fix and don’t have time to buy thinner, a few drops of pure acetone nail polish remover works well too. Celebrity manicurist Shelly Hill told Byrdie that the “less is more” approach is essential to remember here, as acetone will break down the polish and lessen its lifespan.
To prevent your nail polish from drying out, store it in a cool, dry place, and ensure the cap is adequately tightened on the bottle.
If the acetone trick doesn’t work, your polish is probably past its expiration date, in which case, it’s time to toss it. Can’t say you didn’t try!
