How To Properly Store Your Nail Polish
Photo of nail polish bottles on four rows of white shelving by Yannes Kiefer on Unsplash
Updated 2024.08.06. This page contains affiliate links and this site earns from qualifying purchases made through these sponsored links.
Wondering how to store nail polish properly at home? Below, learn how to keep the nail polish bottles in your collection from drying out -
Nail polish can last a very long time with proper storage.
We are talking about decades, as opposed to just a few years.
The number one threat to nail polish longevity is air exposure - this dries it out.
The second threat is sunlight, which alters pigments.
And the third threat is temperature and humidity, which can affect the consistency and wearability of the polish.
So below you will find five tips for storing your nail polish properly at home, to prevent it from drying out, discoloration or texture issues.
Photo of elle cosmetics nail polishes on shelving by Mohammed Hassan on Unsplash
1 - Clean rim with nail polish remover after every use
This keeps the threads clean, creating a tighter seal when storing the bottle and preventing air from getting in and drying out the polish.
2 - Give the cap a twist to make sure fully sealed
You can keep nail polishes from drying out by preventing the solvents from being exposed to too much air.
After each use, give the cap of the bottle an extra twist, to make sure the lids are as tight as they can be, preventing oxygen from getting in and drying out the polish.
3 - Keep your bottles out of direct sunlight
Nail polish can get discolored with exposure to direct sunlight. If your house is full of ambient light, consider getting a nail polish storage container, like a helmer.
Helmers are filing cabinets, with deep, enclosed drawers that you can easily store tall things in upright position. They can store hundreds of bottles and are often inexpensive.
4 - Choose a cool, non-humid place for storage
Don’t store your nail polish near any source of heat or humidity. For example, your kitchen or bathroom are not great places for nail polish storage. Instead, go with cool temperature locations when possible.
In our post, How To Make Nail Polish Last Longer, the refrigerator is suggested as a possible storage spot - but you don’t have to go this far if it is not feasible for you.
Simply choose a cool dark place for storage like a ground floor or basement area.
5 - Roll the bottles from time to time
Pigments in nail polish bottles can settle out from the solvents that carry them. This can accelerate the evaporation process and dry out polish more quickly.
If you notice settling in your polish, simply give the bottle a roll every once in a while to keep the solution intact.
Now for a few questions about nail polish storage…
How To Properly Store Your Nail Polish text overlay photo of elle cosmetics nail polishes on shelving by Mohammed Hassan on Unsplash
Can you store nail polish on its side?
No. This can encourage the polish to settle into the threads in the lid of the bottle, making it increasingly difficult to open the bottle over time.
When you do open the bottle, the risk is that the packaging becomes damaged when attempting to open the bottle, which can affect the quality of the product inside.
It is best to store the bottle upright and on a flat, even surface.
How long can you store nail polish?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) focuses on regulating the chemicals in nail polish but does not state a shelf life for nail polish, instead they leave it up to companies.
You will see expiration dates ranging from 1-3 years to none at all posted on bottles. Many collectors keep their polishes for far longer than that, if they can still be worn.
It is currently up to you to decide how long to keep your nail polish and how you keep it fresh.
These tips above can improve your nail polish’s longevity and allow you to enjoy your shades, and the investment you put into them, for years to come.
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