How to fix common nail polish mistakes

A dent or smudge in wet polish

If the polish is still soft, lick or dampen the tip of a clean finger and pat the dent gently. The polish often levels back out. If it has started to set, wait until it is fully dry, then add a thin layer of the same color over the area and finish with top coat. Dents usually come from thick coats that stay soft underneath, so thinner layers are the long-term fix.

Bubbles

Bubbles appear when air gets trapped in the polish. Common causes are shaking the bottle, thick coats, painting in a warm or humid room, and painting the next coat too soon. Once a coat has bubbled, the cleanest fix is to remove that nail and repaint it with thinner coats. Roll the bottle to mix it next time.

Streaks and bald patches

A streaky first coat is normal. If streaks remain after the second coat, the polish may be thick in the bottle, or the brush is carrying too little. Add a third thin coat after the second has set. Sheer and pale shades show streaks most, so they often need that third coat anyway.

Polish on the skin

Dip a small brush or the tip of a cotton swab in remover, blot it so it is damp and not dripping, and trace the edge. Clean up before the top coat. If you often flood the cuticle, start the brush a little further from it and nudge it back.

An early chip at the tip

1. Smooth the chipped edge with a fine file in a single light pass.
2. Dab a little color into the chip only, keeping it thin.
3. Let it dry, then paint a thin coat of color over the whole nail.
4. Finish with top coat and remember to cap the tip.

Chips at the tip are often a sign that the edge was not capped. Running the brush along the edge on every coat helps.

Polish peeling off in one piece

When a manicure lifts off as a whole sheet, the polish never gripped well. The usual reasons are oil or lotion on the nail, painting on damp nails, or polish touching the cuticle. Go back to the prep guide and wipe each nail with remover right before the base coat.

Yellowish staining after dark colors

Dark reds and other deep shades can leave a tint on the nail surface, especially without a base coat. Using a base coat every time helps. A stained nail usually grows out over time. If a nail turns yellow, green, brown or another color and you did not use a dark polish, that is a different matter, and worth showing to a doctor.