How To Properly Store Your Nail Polish
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Wondering how to store nail polish for a long time? Below, learn the best ways to keep the nail polish bottles in your collection fresh and ready for your next manicure -
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.
Below you will find our tips to store your nail polish properly at home, so you can make it last as long as possible.
5 steps to store nail polish for a long time
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
The best solution is a vertical filing cabinet (linked above), with deep, enclosed drawers that you can easily store tall things in upright position.
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.
Simply choose a cool dark place for storage like a ground floor or basement area. You can also store your nail polish bottles in the fridge.
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 how to store nail polish…
Can you store nail polish on its side?
No, I don’t recommend it. 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 should you keep 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 and are stored well.
It is somewhat up to you to decide how long to keep nail polish as we currently are aware of no known risks associated with wearing vintage nail polish. For scope, it’s not considered unusual for hobbyists to wear polishes between 20 - 75 years old.
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.
For more tips on getting the most out of your nail polish collection, follow Lots of Lacquer on Instagram!
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