You must be familiar with liquid latex or Liquid Palisade, the brand popular used around the world for flawless manicures. We love those Ombre, Gradient, and glitter nail arts but the mess they cause around the nail is an issue. That's why liquid latex for nails comes into the market.
Liquid latex of nails saves so much time in cleaning up. I'm no longer sitting there for an hour trying to meticulously clean up the polish around my nails. I'm no longer stuck with dried-out cuticles from all of the acetone. It makes me want to try out messy nail art more often knowing that I'm not going to be spending much time worrying about cleanup afterward.
Therefore, today this article is written to introduce liquid latex for nails and give you some tips about how to apply it. And you can also find answers about how to choose a good liquid latex for nails.
What Is Liquid Latex for Nails?
Liquid latex is meant for body art for costumes and other outfits, but the nail art community has repurposed it for nail art cleanup. It typically comes in a nail polish bottle outfitted with a normal nail polish brush or a thin nail art striper brush. And we call it liquid latex for nails.
Liquid latex for nails, sometimes called latex tape, acts as a barrier on the delicate skin around your nails that protects them from the harsh chemicals present in nail polishes.
Fast, hassle-free, and cost-effective, liquid latex is a convenient way to avoid the mess that keeps getting in the way of clean and perfectly manicured nails.
With liquid latex for nails, it will be easier to do nails without ever having to spend more time cleaning up. This quick-drying, low-odor formula prevents nail polish products from overflowing into the skin, which means no-mess and quick nail polish application for you anytime you need to have your nails done.
How to Apply Liquid Latex for Nails?
Using liquid latex for nail art clean-up is simple:
1. After applying your base color, apply the liquid latex around the nail and cuticle like you would nail oil. Avoid getting the latex on the nail itself. If you happen to get some on the polished nail, wait for it to try and peel it or push it back with a cuticle pusher. I find that applying a thicker coat is better. I will usually apply a base layer and then go over it with a second layer. It should look like this.
2. The product is very thin, so use caution when applying. Avoid getting the product on the actual cuticles. This will cause a scraggly cuticle line and for the latex to get caught in any polish that is being applied. It's better to go in later and clean that up with a brush and acetone.
3. Allow it to dry for 2-3 minutes until the latex is no longer wet or when you can start to peel off at the edges. Some variations take longer or shorter to apply.
4. Do your nail art. Any mess that would normally get all over your finger will now catch onto the liquid latex. If you are doing water marbling, you may want to apply under the nail and pad of the finger as well. Here I tried stamping.
5. Next, peel off the latex. If you applied it properly, it should come off in one peel. If there are any small bits left behind, use a tweezer to help them out.
6. Clean up around the cuticles as normal. There will be some mess in the cuticle as normal, but any polish will be off of the skin.
That's it! Using liquid latex is really simple and has changed the way that I do nail art. It's no longer as messy and my nails and skin aren't dry anymore from using acetone to clean up.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
It doesn't smell good! My 10-year-old niece described the scent of liquid latex for nails as "rubber garbage," and she's not wrong. Thankfully, the smell only lasts while the latex is wet. After a minute or so, the smell fades away.
When you apply a layer of liquid latex around your nail, be careful not to get the latex on the surface of your nails. If you paint nail polish over the latex, you'll have a noticeable bump.
Wait for the liquid latex for the nails to dry completely before you start painting your nails' surface with nail polish. It should dry in a minute or two, depending on how thickly you applied the product.
Don't let your fingers touch while the liquid latex for nails is drying! Otherwise, the latex adheres together and pulls off your skin. It's not serious, but it's messy and annoying—you'll have to reapply the latex.
Store your bottle of liquid latex in a cool, dry place. The steam and heat from the bathroom shower can cause liquid latex to seize and dry up prematurely. I keep my bottle in a dresser drawer.
How Long Does It to Dry?
Depending on the thickness of the coat applied, it can take anything from a few seconds to a few minutes. The time taken for a coat to dry also varies from brand to brand so it is best to check the directions on the label of your product.
What to Consider When Buy？
Buying yourself a liquid latex for nails is already considered a luxury, so you might as well make sure that what you're about to purchase meets the following factors:
How often will you use liquid latex for nails?
One might think that a person would use their liquid latex for nails as much as possible. After all, they have paid more for it and want to get their money's worth.
Many wonder how often they will need to use liquid latex for nails. It's important to understand that there is no set answer because everyone has different needs and choices. For example, some people might only need it a few times, while others may need it frequently.
But is that the case? For example, has anyone ever left a restaurant with a full stomach after eating one meal? It is likely not the case because we do not typically overeat at restaurants.
So why does this happen with products? The answer lies in our psychology and how we are wired to purchase things even if we don't need them. In other words, there is an imbalance between what people buy and what they use.
Choose liquid latex for nails that fit your needs
Do you often find yourself looking for liquid latex for nails? You don't know where to start or what to buy. It's hard finding a balance between quality and price. Well, look no further! We will discuss how to determine if a product is right for you based on your needs, as well as reviews of our top products that fit those needs!
To determine if a product is right for you, think about why you need it. Is it because you're trying to fulfill your needs with ease? If you want to hike long distances, you might want something that does not give you arm aches while carrying it around. Therefore, you should choose one that is lightweight.
Features
The question you should be asking yourself when purchasing a liquid latex for nails is not what the product can do but rather what features are important to you. The most common features of products are durability, reliability, price, and aesthetics.
If you're planning to use the product often or live somewhere it might get wet; durability is likely your number one priority. Price may also be an issue if this will be something that is purchased every few years.
Reliability should always go hand-in-hand with durability and other aspects like customer reviews and warranty length; without these two aspects of quality control, there's no way to ensure that any company has created a reliable product unless they make it clear in their description.
Cost
The cost of liquid latex for nails is one of the most important factors to consider when looking for a purchase. There are many different price ranges, so understanding their differences is essential. In general, high-quality products are more expensive, while low-quality products are less expensive. Therefore, if you want the best product, you should choose a costly one. It is better to choose an affordable product with fewer features if you only intend on using it a few times.
Warranty Policy
A product warranty guarantees the quality and performance of a product that the manufacturer or seller will provide. On the other hand, a service warranty is what you get if you buy something like home repair. The latter does not protect against materials or artistry defects but covers defective products because they are not appropriately installed or used as intended.
When buying a liquid latex for nails with a warranty, it is the first thing to check how many years it lasts. Usually, one-year contracts are only given out with low-priced items since this type of coverage protects against any manufacturing defects that may have occurred during production, which can happen even at high-quality factories.
It also prevents customers from having to pay. Many people find this helpful because if something happens to their product, there won't be any hassle, and they don't have to worry about paying extra money for damage caused by the manufacturer's fault.
In conclusion, a warranty is an excellent investment to ensure everything goes smoothly when buying new products! Ensure your liquid latex for nails product has a warranty before buying it when shopping!
These Considerations below should help you search for that liquid latex for nails that meets all your criteria!
Who Can Use Liquid Latex on Their Nails?
Although this manicure trick is tempting, it's not for everyone. The only contraindication of liquid latex for nails is if you have an allergy to the original substance. In such a case, you should not apply it. An article in the Chilean Journal of Dermatology highlights that this compound can generate hypersensitivity and manifests itself through urticaria and contact dermatitis of the irritative and allergic types.
If you suffer from sensitivity to this compound, you can try another option to achieve perfection when painting your nails. Combine water with white glue; this is an easy recipe with a similar effect to the pink coating. In fact, even the texture is similar.
Use the mixture as you would use commercial liquid latex, but be aware that it takes longer to dry and may cause an adverse reaction. It's not a skin-only product. Vaseline, on the other hand, also helps to keep it from staining the contour of your nails and has no side effects.
Can You Use Glue Instead of Liquid Latex for Nails?
There are many who use that but it is advisable to not use it as adhesives are made of harmful chemicals that might not be suitable for the skin. Meanwhile, liquid latex is specially made to protect your skin from nail paint and nail art.
Conclusion
I love doing my own nails, but there's always the hassle of having to go in after with cotton buds and acetone, or even a nail art brush and acetone in order to clean up the messy remnants that end up on my skin. When I first heard about this liquid latex for nails, I was sold. You get less mess, plus the fun that comes from trying to peel it off in one piece!
Therefore, if you also have such issues, buy a bottle of liquid latex for your nails. And before you start painting and decorating, apply this around the nail's edges to avoid gel polish overflowing.
It can save time and avoid painting your skin by applying liquid nail latex.