Buzz
Save money by making your own nail glue! It's a quick and simple process using everyday household items. Just mix PVA glue and clear nail polish with a cotton swab stick. Apply the glue to attach artificial nails or fix broken ones. Let it dry for 10 minutes and you're good to go!
Steps
Blending the Ingredients
Trim a cotton swab stick. Take a cotton swab stick and sharp scissors. Cut off one end just above where the cotton starts. Discard the cut end, keeping the rest of the stick.
- This will serve as a stirrer for mixing the nail glue.
Place 1 cup of PVA glue into a bowl. Take an old bowl and a measuring cup from your kitchen. Measure out the PVA glue using the measuring cup, ensuring you scrape the sides to use it all up.
- You can opt for either white or clear glue, as the color doesn't impact its effectiveness.
Add 1⁄4 fl oz (7.4 ml) of clear nail polish to the bowl. Grab a kitchen measuring spoon. Remove the cap from the nail polish bottle and pour the specified amount into the spoon. Then pour it into the bowl with the PVA glue.
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1⁄4
fl oz (7.4 ml) of clear nail polish is approximately half the size of a standard bottle.
Mix the ingredients together for 2-3 minutes using the cotton swab. Position the cotton swab stick with the wooden end in the bowl. Thoroughly mix the PVA glue and clear nail polish until well combined. You might need to scrape the bowl's sides to ensure thorough mixing.
- Hold the cotton swab stick by its cotton end.
Applying the Nail Glue
Apply the nail glue to your entire nail when attaching an artificial nail. Dip the cut end of the cotton swab stick into your homemade nail glue to get a small amount on it. Start at the nail cuticle and gently spread the glue over the nail toward the free edge. Apply the glue evenly across the entire nail.
- Avoid using the cotton end of the swab stick to prevent cotton pieces from sticking to your nail.
Hold the artificial nail in place with firm pressure for 10 seconds. Align the artificial nail with your real nail and press down firmly for 10 seconds to ensure a secure bond with the glue. Avoid moving your hand during this time to prevent displacement of the artificial nail.
- This step ensures proper adhesion of the artificial nail.
Apply nail glue directly onto a split to mend a broken nail. When repairing a split or broken nail, there's no need to cover the entire nail. Dip the wooden end of the cotton swab stick into the nail glue mixture and gently apply a thin layer over the damaged area.
- The nail glue won't fix the broken nail, but it will provide support and prevent further damage.
Drying, Storing, and Removing the Glue
Allow the nail glue to dry for 10 minutes. Whether you've applied the homemade nail glue for attaching an artificial nail or repairing a broken one, it won't take long to dry properly. Rest your hand with the glue on a flat surface and avoid movement to ensure the nail sets correctly.
- If you've attached an artificial nail, gently press on it after the drying time to ensure proper setting.
Store any leftover nail glue in a clean nail polish bottle for future use. Don't waste excess homemade nail glue! Pour it into a clean, empty nail polish bottle and seal tightly to prevent drying out. Alternatively, clean and dry an old nail polish bottle before transferring the glue inside. Ensure the brush is also cleaned thoroughly!
- This ensures you have nail glue ready for later use.
Soak your nails in nail polish remover for 45 minutes to dissolve the adhesive. Removing artificial nails or the glue alone is a breeze! Fill a bowl with nail polish remover and soak your fingers. Once the artificial nails loosen and the glue dissolves, wash your hands with warm, soapy water.
- Ensure the nail polish remover contains acetone to effectively dissolve the glue.
Helpful Tips
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Use tape around the nail while applying the glue to prevent it from sticking to your skin.
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If you're worried about the glue drying in the bowl as you work, stir it every few minutes with the cotton swab stick.
Materials You'll Need
- Cotton swab stick
- Scissors
- PVA glue
- Clear nail polish
- Bowl
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoon
- Artificial nails
- Clean nail polish bottle
- Nail polish remover
