The holy grail of clear polish
May 3, 2017 7:11 AM Subscribe
Nail people: what is the glossiest, most durable clear nail polish?
I like to paint my nails with ONLY clear polish - like a French manicure without the white tips. I've had trouble finding a good, clear polish that is very shiny and very durable. I love the look and consistency of Seche Vite - but it always peels off (usually in one solid piece) within a couple of days (what gives? It's so highly recommended). Any suggestions?
I like to paint my nails with ONLY clear polish - like a French manicure without the white tips. I've had trouble finding a good, clear polish that is very shiny and very durable. I love the look and consistency of Seche Vite - but it always peels off (usually in one solid piece) within a couple of days (what gives? It's so highly recommended). Any suggestions?
Best answer: For me, when nail polish peels off in a few days in a solid piece, that's a sign that I did something technically wrong, either because I didn't have time or was being sloppy. In particular, it's a sign that I've done some or all of the following:
1. Failed to start with clean nails.
2. Failed to use one or two coats of a good primer.
3. Applied one or more coats too thick, rather than a thin even coat, which is sometimes my sloppiness, but also sometims the result nail polish that has gotten too gloopy from age/not having the bottle closed tightly enough.
4. Failed to let each coat dry completely before applying the next, because multiple thin coats can turn into a single super thick one if applied without sufficient drying time.
I fall into pit no. 3 a lot when I'm trying for the super-shiny, super thick topcoat look. :/
posted by joyceanmachine at 7:42 AM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
1. Failed to start with clean nails.
2. Failed to use one or two coats of a good primer.
3. Applied one or more coats too thick, rather than a thin even coat, which is sometimes my sloppiness, but also sometims the result nail polish that has gotten too gloopy from age/not having the bottle closed tightly enough.
4. Failed to let each coat dry completely before applying the next, because multiple thin coats can turn into a single super thick one if applied without sufficient drying time.
I fall into pit no. 3 a lot when I'm trying for the super-shiny, super thick topcoat look. :/
posted by joyceanmachine at 7:42 AM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Seche Vite is probably the best. It performs best when applied thickly to a partially dried coat of polish as it's a top coat (breaking most rules of nail polish application). Try a clear base coat of something and then apply the Seche Vite before it's dry. If you prefer a less gloppy formulation, Sally Hansen makes a great rapid dry formula that comes in a clear, red bottle.
If you're able to peel everything off in one layer, I'd also bet that you're applying the polish to a nail that isn't totally clean and dry. Lotions and moisturizing products will interfere with the nail polish adhering properly. Before applying polish, swipe each nail with isopropyl alcohol or acetone to remove oils. Applying nail polish to nails right after a shower or bath can also be a culprit as the nail had absorbed a lot of water.
posted by quince at 8:13 AM on May 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
If you're able to peel everything off in one layer, I'd also bet that you're applying the polish to a nail that isn't totally clean and dry. Lotions and moisturizing products will interfere with the nail polish adhering properly. Before applying polish, swipe each nail with isopropyl alcohol or acetone to remove oils. Applying nail polish to nails right after a shower or bath can also be a culprit as the nail had absorbed a lot of water.
posted by quince at 8:13 AM on May 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Best answer: I find that a swipe of nail polish remover/acetone before applying will remove any oils on your nails that can lead to it peeling off.
If you use remover, check and make sure it's not a blended nutritive or moisturizing polish remover, because those leave behind oils that will cause your polish not to bond.
A simple hand washing--with soap, making sure to clean your nails, and drying thoroughly--is really all you need to prep natural nails for polish. I've gone through more bottles of seche vite than I could even try to count, and have never experienced the peel off in one shot problem you're experiencing.
posted by phunniemee at 8:51 AM on May 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
If you use remover, check and make sure it's not a blended nutritive or moisturizing polish remover, because those leave behind oils that will cause your polish not to bond.
A simple hand washing--with soap, making sure to clean your nails, and drying thoroughly--is really all you need to prep natural nails for polish. I've gone through more bottles of seche vite than I could even try to count, and have never experienced the peel off in one shot problem you're experiencing.
posted by phunniemee at 8:51 AM on May 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I have found that cleaning the nails with dishwashing detergent (gently, and avoiding getting it on my hands) right before applying polish leads to the polish staying on well.
posted by amtho at 8:55 AM on May 3, 2017
posted by amtho at 8:55 AM on May 3, 2017
Best answer: Just in case you are looking for a Seche Vite alternative, rather than technical suggestions:
While Seche Vite remains my fav, Revon's Colorstay Gel Envy Top Coat is a close second. For $5 at Target, it might be worth a shot?
posted by sazerac at 9:06 AM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
While Seche Vite remains my fav, Revon's Colorstay Gel Envy Top Coat is a close second. For $5 at Target, it might be worth a shot?
posted by sazerac at 9:06 AM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Absolutely Seche Vite. No contest. I try to spread the word about it as much as possible, as ridiculous as that sounds.
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 10:24 AM on May 3, 2017
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 10:24 AM on May 3, 2017
Best answer: I like both Seche Vite and Sally Hansen Diamond Top Coat in the black bottle equally.
posted by rmless at 11:39 AM on May 3, 2017
posted by rmless at 11:39 AM on May 3, 2017
Response by poster: Hmm...appears the problem is with technique, not product. Thanks everyone!
posted by yawper at 12:21 PM on May 3, 2017
posted by yawper at 12:21 PM on May 3, 2017
Best answer: Yes, Seche Vite needs to be applied to wet nails! That's probably your mistake.
posted by imalaowai at 12:47 PM on May 3, 2017
posted by imalaowai at 12:47 PM on May 3, 2017
Best answer: Another good alternative is Glisten & Glow - HK Girl. My topcoat of choice.
posted by corvine at 1:05 PM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by corvine at 1:05 PM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: For a base to use before the Seche Vite, I love Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat and it's widely available in drugstores to boot.
posted by augustimagination at 1:06 PM on May 3, 2017
posted by augustimagination at 1:06 PM on May 3, 2017
Best answer: Also YES to UK Girl as a top coat alternative. This has been my favorite for quite a while now.
posted by augustimagination at 1:07 PM on May 3, 2017
posted by augustimagination at 1:07 PM on May 3, 2017
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If it still peels off after that, you could also try applying a clear base coat under your top coat (which seems silly, I admit, but it could be worth it because IMO there's nothing quite as shiny and nice as Seche Vite). I like Orly Bonder base coat - it dries to a rubbery finish that grabs polish easily.
I'm afraid I don't have any other top coat recommendations though, as I am a die hard Seche Vite fan.
posted by jouir at 7:36 AM on May 3, 2017