Elmers Glue Nail Polish Hack + Julep Nail Polish Review
When I was in middle and high school I really, really wanted to be one of the cool girls who changed their nail polish every day to match their outfits. I tried a few times, but usually homework or drama practice (yes, I was in theatre!) or hanging out with friends took precedent. Now that I’m an adult though, I want the opposite. I want nail polish to be neutral enough to go with all my outfits and I want it to last me as long as possible. What drives me crazy though is it’s so hard to paint my nails without getting polish all over my skin. I’m not as coordinated enough to stay inside the lines apparently. 😛 So, when I saw someone on Facebook mention this super-simple trick to keep your fingers clean while polishing I had to try it out.
It sounds weird, but here it is. Glue. Gold, old fashioned Elmer’s glue…like the kind you get for 25 cents at Target. 🙂 It blew my mind how simple it was. You simply take a brush and brush a thin layer on the skin around your nail. When it dries (it takes a couple of minutes, you can start painting. When you’re done painting, let your nails dry and then peel the dried glue off your nails—it’ll take any excess paint right off with it!
As far as polish goes, I went through a subscription box phase last year and signed up for several boxes. The only one that I didn’t cancel is Julep. If you haven’t heard of them, they’re a nail polish subscription service. If you want to try it out you can use this link here—it’s a referral link where you can take a fun quiz to see what style you are. I just like seeing what new colors come out each month but you always have the option to skip a month or send it to a friend which I think is fun. 🙂 They have this fun promo going on this month—you can click here if you’d like. 🙂
Anyways, the other reason why I like Julep is because of this new brush they came out with called the plie wand. It’s this nifty little attachment that helps you hold your polish brush a little more stead and comfortably, especially in your non-dominant hand. It helps me at least! 🙂 You just pop off the lid and screw the cap underneath in.
This color is called Margit and it came in my box last month. It’s a pretty purple with subtle shimmer.
I used the wand to paint and then I did a top coat. I am loving this top coat from Sally Hansen. And I also love peeling off the dried glue from my fingers. Is that weird? It’s relaxing. And strangely satisfying. Anyone with me? 🙂
So there’s my new favorite way to use Elmer’s glue. Well that and any glitter projects. 🙂 Anyone think they’ll give glue a shot as part of their pedi/main routine?
Tania Griffis is an accomplished writer, blogger, and interior designer with a Journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. She started her popular blog, Run to Radiance, in 2011, demonstrating her design expertise through the personal remodeling of six houses to millions of readers across the globe.
Tania also owns The Creative Wheelhouse, a respected ghostwriting agency for bloggers, further showcasing her talent for creating engaging and informative content.
What a great tip! I can never seem to keep it between the lines either… lol 🙂
Naomi I think nail art is one of the few places I don’t think it’s okay to get outside the lines. 😀
For reallllz? I paint my nails every week! Curious to try this! I know I’m not good with staying in the lines, so not sure if I would be much better with the glue either? I wonder how much it could really help me!
It has helped me a lot! If i happen to get any glue on my nails, I simply wipe them off with a paper towel. I have done it like 4 times now and am really liking how much easier it’s been!
This is such a clever trick, I’m going to have to try it this weekend. By the way, I love that nail color on you. It’s so pretty!
Thank you so much Pearl! 🙂 That’s another reason I love Julep- i never would have picked this one out for myself!! 🙂
OMG! What a great idea 🙂 Who doesn’t love peeling glue off your hands? We used to just glue our hands in school so we could do that. lol
I’m so lazy about nail polish too because I mostly have loud colours and I hate it if it doesn’t match. lol Will have to check out Julep.
I know what you mean. I think you just have to find softer, more neutral colors that way you have some more wiggle room. I did the glue thing in school too!! :))
Wow…. how very cool. I can’t wait to try it either… and I too like to peel glue off my fingers! I cannot wait to try this either, and to tell my daughter’s about it… but they have probably heard already. Oh well, I am always behind them on anything. haha. Love that color as well! Thanks for the tip! Blessings… ~L.
I would have liked a closer pic of the final results. To me it looks like the nails are kind of sloppy looking in the final pic. Particularly your right hand pointer, ring, and pinkie fingers.
I apply coconut oil around the outer edges of my nail beds and the access polish washes off.
Neat trick; vaseline or anything oily will also work.