A Topcoat (That Works!) For Nail Foils

A Topcoat (That Works!) For Nail Foils

I love nail foils. They're fun and easy and can be really eye catching. The only problem is that they are delicate and not many topcoats work with them. Actually, it's rare to find a topcoat that works with them so I wear them without one and get maybe a few hours wear before my manicure is destroyed. I found a solution that has been working for me - water based glossy clear varnish. 

This one to be exact. You can find this brand online here or on Amazon here but there are a few other brands that make a water based varnish. I went with this brand because it is non-toxic and US made. Please, please, please make sure that it is water based and that it is glossy. No need for matte here. I bought mine at a craft shop for about $7 and the bottle is huge. It's easily removed with acetone and if you get any on your skin it will wash off with soap and water. 

I filled an empty polish bottle about 70% full and added water to thin it a bit more. It's already thin but I wanted it a little bit thinner. Here is a bottle shot. I would say a 4 to 1 ratio of varnish and water is what I used. Use water to thin and only water. 

Here is Silver Crush over a silver foil polish. The little rough spots that you see are spots that I missed when smoothing the foil. I always miss spots so I make sure to match my base with the foil so it's not obvious in reality. I applied one thin coat of varnish and let it dry. It dries to the touch in about 10 minutes and it is completely dry (for me) in 20 minutes. When it is completely dry you can apply regular topcoat. It needs to be completely dry before applying normal topcoat. I have worn foils without adding topcoat over the varnish and have gotten great wear so I think the regular topcoat is optional. 

These photos were taken after wearing this for a day and a half. 

Here is what it looks like when I use topcoat without the varnish. Yuck! 

Here is a close up of the same foil with a coat of varnish over it. Shiny and really smooth! 

If you use acrylic paints for nail art this may be something to check out to preserve your creations without smearing. This also works for really adhering stones on the nail and keeping them from catching on things. The best one? It works extremely well at smoothing glitters that eat topcoat! Woo! It's really, really handy to have around! 

I hope you found this helpful! 

Green Lightbeams

Green Lightbeams

First, when I said three people donated I did not meant that in a negative way at all. The one con about the internet is that you cannot read tone. I also think it was one of those comments that sounded better in my head. A few people emailed me saying they gave to a local organization because they are more comfortable doing that and that is superb. My apologies if it came across as anything in a non-positive way because that was not my intent. My intent was was to bring awareness (even if it is a tiny amount) to a cause that gets lost in the whole pink ribbon campaign. This will teach me to think before I publish.

On to the polish.

I've been reading a few blogs that are doing (or have done) a 31 Day Challenge. I've been enjoying reading them and seeing what folks are doing. Some of them are really impressive! One challenge was to do a manicure inspired by a movie and I wondered what I would have done for that challenge. I figured I would have done The Matrix. So I did it. I used Glitter Gal Lizard Belly as a base and applied Green Lightbeams nail foil over it in parts. I think it's cool.

"Never send a human to do a machine's job." *sigh* I love Agent Smith.

Nail Foil: Silver Dots

Nail Foil: Silver Dots

So obnoxious! I love it! Nail foil in Silver Dots over China Glaze Hologram. I bought this foil at Dollar Nail Art.

Nail Art Foil in African Jade

Nail Art Foil in African Jade

I placed an order with Dollar Nail Art for some goodies. They have a $25 minimum and that gets you a number of things since everything is a dollar! I order some nail art foil and one was African Jade. I saw it here at Another Bottle of Polish?! and loved the look. Enamel Girl has a great tutorial here so I won't go into that but I will say it is really easy and lots of fun!

Here is African Jade foil over Misa Dirty Sexy Money. Not perfect but I like it.