How To Get Rid Of Nail Polish Bubbles
Photo of red paint brush with bubbles around it by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay
Updated 2024.07.12. This page contains affiliate links and this site earns from qualifying purchases made through these sponsored links.
Why do I get bubbles in my nail polish when it dries?
Bubbles in polish can occur for a variety of reasons.
In some cases the nail polish is thick due to age and it takes on air bubbles from the empty air in the bottle. Or the polish has been shaken, and bubbles that entered the polish when shaken, have stayed in the polish then get transferred to your nail.
In other cases, the polish is applied too thick and it is not given enough time to dry between the first and second coat.
In this situation, as the polish dries, the air from the first coat gets trapped in the second coat as it evaporates. This is the most common reason for bubbles, though aged bottles is the second most common reason. Either way, there are opportunities to fix both.
How to prevent nail polish bubbles
Photo of red and violet paint brushes with bubbles around them by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay
1 - Do your nails in a dry place
High humidity environments can slow the dry time between polish coats, causing you to think a polish coat is dry when it really is still a bit tacky.
To speed up dry time between coats, and you live in a high humidity environment, use a fan or turn on an air conditioner, which often has dehumidifying features.
2 - Give your coats more time to dry
Manicures are supposed to be relaxing - allow them to be before rushing to the next thing. Wait until your nails are bone dry before applying a second coat and then a top coat.
3 - Inspect your polish before you use it
4 - Apply thinner coats
Even if you prefer more polish on the brush when you paint your nails, use that same brush to remove the excess before going over your coat more than once. Or simply touch up gaps on the second coat.
How to fix bubbles in nail polish
Photo of violet, red and yellow paint brushes with bubbles around them by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay
If your polish is still moldable, try pressing gently down on the bubbles with a ring finger, and occasionally they will pop.
Then, repaint over them with a fresh top coat. If the bubbles appeared with your top coat, use another top coat that is not so thick.
The second solution is to start again from square one and redo that finger.
The upside of starting from scratch is that you have just added more manicure time to your day, which increases the amount of relaxation you experience.
Photo of red and violet paint brushes with bubbles around them by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay with text How To Get Rid Of Nail Polish Bubbles
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