How to Create Matte Nail Polish

Buzz

Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

Content

Steps

Apply on Baking Powder

Transform your Nail Polish Bottle into Matte Polish

Using eye shadow

Dùng hơi nước sau khi sơn móng tay thông thường

Use a matte top coat.

Eyeshadow

Transform an entire bottle of nail polish into a matte version

Paint on puffing powder

Use steam for regular nail polish

Use a matte topcoat

Matte nail polish has become a hot trend in the fashion world, admired for its sleek and sophisticated look. However, this type of polish can be quite expensive, and not everyone is willing to splurge on a single-use bottle. While matte topcoats are available, what if you don’t have one at home but still want a matte finish? Luckily, there are several simple ways to transform regular nail polish into a matte version. This guide will show you how to easily create matte nails.

Steps

Apply on Baking Powder

Prepare the Materials. When doing your nails, you'll need to act quickly before the polish dries and becomes difficult to manage. Here's a list of items you'll need:

Base coat and colored polish
Baking powder
Fine mesh strainer
A small dish or container
A small, soft makeup brush

Sift the baking powder through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. Make sure to break down any clumps of powder, as they could affect the smoothness of your nail surface. If there are still clumps, use a toothpick to crush them.

Paint one hand first. Start by applying a base coat, followed by any color of polish you prefer. The other hand will be painted afterward to prevent the polish from drying too quickly.

Sprinkle the baking powder onto the wet nail polish. Dip the brush into the powder, then gently dust it over the still-wet nails. The powder will adhere to the polish. Be sure to dip the brush in the powder before each nail to avoid the brush's tip sticking to the polish and ruining the surface.

Ensure an even application of the powder across all nails. Any gaps in the powder will result in uneven matte effects.
Use a soft makeup brush for the best results. A stiff brush may leave streaks on the surface of your nails.

Allow the nails to sit for a few seconds. This gives the thin layer of baking powder time to settle into the polish, creating the matte effect.

Brush or wash off the excess baking powder. Make sure to clean any leftover powder from your nails. Your nails should now have a matte finish. If any powder has dried and stuck to the polish, dip the brush in water and gently wipe off the remaining powder to clean your nails.

Repeat the process for the other hand. Start by applying a base coat, followed by the color of your choice, and then dust the nails with baking powder. Next, use a clean brush to gently sweep off the excess powder.

Let your nails dry. While your nails will appear shiny when wet, it's best to let them dry completely to see the final result. Additionally, avoid using a topcoat, as most topcoats are glossy and will diminish the matte effect. However, if you find a matte topcoat, you can use that instead.

Transform your Nail Polish Bottle into Matte Polish

Prepare your tools and materials. If you plan on using matte nail polish regularly, try converting a regular bottle of polish into a matte one. This way, you won’t have to mix ingredients every time you paint your nails. Here’s what you’ll need:

Nail polish
Cornstarch, matte eye shadow, mica, or cosmetic mineral powder
Fine mesh strainer (for cornstarch)
Toothpicks (for eye shadow)
5x5 cm square paper
Nail polish
2-3 small steel balls (optional)
A small cup or dish

Choose your nail polish and powder. The nail polish bottle you use should be about half full. Don’t use a full bottle, as the powder may cause the polish to spill out.

If you want to make a matte topcoat, you’ll need clear polish and cornstarch. You can apply this matte topcoat to your nails to achieve a matte look.
If you want to turn regular nail polish into a matte version, choose a bottle with a deep color and cornstarch.
If you want to create a custom color, use a clear polish bottle, along with matte eye shadow, mica powder safe for skin, or cosmetic mineral powder. Adding a bit of cornstarch will make the finish even more matte.

Prepare the powder. Whatever powder you choose to use, it must be sifted finely. Any clumps of powder will create a lumpy texture in the polish. For cornstarch, you can sift it into a small bowl. For eye shadow, remove it from the pan and crush it using the tip of a pencil or makeup brush. Mica powder or mineral pigments must also be sifted to avoid clumps.

You’ll only need a few pinches of cornstarch.
If you’re using eye shadow, you’ll use the whole pan for half a bottle of polish.

Use a 5x5cm square piece of paper to create a funnel. Roll the paper into a cone shape, making a small hole at the tip so the powder can pass through.

Open the nail polish bottle and place the funnel into the neck of the bottle. Be careful not to let the sharp tip of the funnel touch the polish inside the bottle. If it does, widen the top so it won’t fall inside. If the tip gets wet, trim it off, as the powder will stick to the funnel instead of falling into the bottle.

Add a few pinches of powder. Use a small spoon or teaspoon to transfer the powder. You can use your fingers, but it may waste the powder if it sticks to your skin. Avoid adding too much powder at once to prevent it from becoming too thick. You can always add more powder afterward.

If you’re using eye shadow, mica, or cosmetic mineral powder, it’s a good idea to add a bit of cornstarch as well. This will help achieve a more matte finish, especially if the powder is shimmery or opaque.

Try adding 2 or 3 small steel balls. This will help mix the polish evenly, especially when using clear polish. If you’re using a dark-colored polish, you may not need them, as most dark polish bottles already contain a mixing ball.

Look for steel balls with a diameter of about 3mm. Choose stainless steel balls for the best results.

Close the nail polish bottle and shake it for a few minutes. Stop shaking once the polish is fully blended. If you’re using steel balls, stop when you no longer hear them rattling inside the bottle.

Check the polish and add more ingredients if needed. Once the polish is evenly mixed, open the bottle and apply it on your nails or a piece of paper. Let it dry to see the true color. If the polish is too thick, you can thin it by adding 1 or 2 drops of nail polish thinner. If the matte effect isn't strong enough, add a bit of cornstarch. If you're using clear polish and it's too light, add some eye shadow, mica powder, or mineral pigments you’ve already used.

Let the nail polish rest for 24 hours before use. This step helps dissolve the mineral powders and any other powders you've added, ensuring the polish is smooth and free of lumps.

Be cautious with the top coat you use. Top coats are usually glossy, so they can often ruin the matte finish on your nails. Try to find a matte top coat that matches the type of polish you’re using.

Using eye shadow

Prepare your tools and materials. Sometimes it can be difficult to find the exact nail polish color you desire. Fortunately, you can use eye shadow to transform clear nail polish into your preferred matte finish. If you only want to create a matte top coat, cornstarch will suffice. Here’s what you will need:

Clear nail polish
Matte eye shadow
Cornstarch (optional)
Toothpick
Small cup or plate

Select your eye shadow. You can choose any color you wish, but it must be a matte finish. You can also substitute with cosmetic mineral powders. These are already in powder form, so you won’t need to crush the eye shadow into a fine powder.

If you want a matte top coat, use cornstarch.

Use a toothpick to scrape the matte eye shadow into a small container. You can place it on paper, a plastic cup, a small plate, or even a cupcake or muffin cup. Your nails will take on the color of the eye shadow you use. Make sure to use more eye shadow than nail polish to get the desired effect.

Ensure you grind the eye shadow into a fine powder. If you notice any clumps, use the tip of a brush or pencil to crush them. Keep grinding until the powder is smooth. If the eye shadow remains clumpy, the polish will have uneven texture and won’t be smooth.

Make your nail polish more matte by adding cornstarch. You’ll need an equal amount of cornstarch to match the eye shadow. Use a toothpick to stir both powders together until they are fully blended and the color is consistent.

Thêm một ít sơn không màu và khuấy bằng tăm đến khi bột không còn vón. Tiếp tục khuấy đến khi màu đều và đặc. Nếu màu quá nhạt, bạn hãy thêm một ít phấn mắt. Đảm bảo sơn không bị vón cục. Dùng tăm nghiền nhỏ nếu bột vón lại. Nếu không làm vậy, bột bị vón sẽ xuất hiện trên móng và trông sần sùi.

Nhanh tay sơn móng. Sơn móng tay sẽ khô rất nhanh. Bạn chỉ cần sơn một lớp sơn nền, sau đó sơn màu lên như bình thường. Nếu còn thừa sơn matte, bạn có thể đổ vào chai sơn móng tay hoặc chai thủy tinh nhỏ.

Để sơn móng tay khô. Bạn sẽ không thấy hiệu ứng thật của phấn mắt đến khi sơn khô hoàn toàn. Ngoài ra, bạn nên tránh dùng sơn phủ, vì hầu hết loại sơn này đều bóng và sẽ làm mất hiệu ứng sơn lì. Nếu bạn có sơn phủ dạng lì thì hãy dùng.

Dùng hơi nước sau khi sơn móng tay thông thường

Chuẩn bị dụng cụ và vật liệu. Khi sơn móng tay, bạn cần phải thao tác nhanh chóng. Phương pháp này chỉ áp dụng cho sơn còn ướt. Nếu bạn để sơn móng tay khô thì đã quá muộn. Sau đây là danh sách những thứ bạn cần:

Sơn móng tay và sơn nền
Nước
Nồi hoặc xoong

Start by boiling water. Fill a pot or saucepan with water and place it on the stove. Turn on the heat and bring the water to a boil. You’ll need steam to turn the nail polish into a matte finish.

Make sure your nails are clean and oil-free. Nail polish won’t stick to nails that have oil on them. Use a nail polish remover to clean off any lotion or cream residue from your nails.

Apply a base coat. A base coat helps protect your nails and prevents staining, especially when using darker shades of nail polish. It also helps the nail polish adhere better and last longer.

Apply the nail polish. It’s best to apply a thin layer first, allow it to dry, and then apply another thin layer. If you apply a thick layer, you might notice small bubbles or peeling as the polish dries.

Hold the wet nail polish over the steam for 3 to 5 seconds. Position your nails so that the steam reaches them, but be careful not to get your nails wet.

The nail polish must still be wet for this to work.
Move your hand back and forth, shaking your fingers continuously. This ensures the steam reaches all the nails evenly.

Move your hands away from the pot. After a few seconds, the nail polish will turn matte. You can move your hands away from the pot and allow the nail polish to dry on its own.

Use a matte top coat.

Gather your tools and materials. If you can’t find your favorite matte nail polish, you can apply a matte top coat over your chosen regular nail polish. Here’s what you’ll need:

Base coat
Nail polish
Matte top coat

Clean your nails with nail polish remover if they are not yet painted. Nail polish won’t adhere to nails with any oil on them. Use nail polish remover on a cotton pad to clean your nails thoroughly.

Apply the base coat. This will protect your nails and prevent staining, especially when using dark-colored nail polishes.

Apply two thin layers of nail polish. Be sure to let the first layer dry before applying the second one. You can use any color, but darker shades will look better than metallic, shimmer, multicolor, or glittery ones.

Make sure you love your nails once they've been painted. Matte topcoats often highlight imperfections such as streaks or uneven color. Ensure you're happy with your nails when finished, because matte finishes don't hide flaws as well as glossy ones do.

Choose a high-quality matte topcoat. The bottle will indicate 'matte' if it's the right type; otherwise, it won't work properly. Some matte topcoats can dull or alter the color of the base nail polish. If the topcoat is milky or opaque, it may lighten or change the polish color.

Apply the topcoat and let it dry. Some topcoats take longer to dry. Even if it feels dry to the touch, the underside might still be wet. Be careful with your nails for 1-2 hours after applying the topcoat.

Note that while matte topcoats look great, they don't protect the nails. Not all matte topcoats prevent chips from appearing.

Advice

If you're using eyeshadow, consider selecting an old, expired one. This way, you won’t have to throw it away and can still reuse it.
When painting your nails, try to apply the polish evenly across the tips of your nails. This will help prevent peeling.
To avoid altering the color of your nail polish, make sure to clean the brush with nail polish remover after each use. If you skip this, the remaining polish may turn matte, or you might stain your clear topcoat.
Once the matte polish is dry, you can add a layer of regular nail polish on top for a beautiful effect. Shimmery colors, like gold, work especially well.