If you're anything like me this New Year's Eve (or really, any day that ends in "y"), you will take a trip to Glitter Town and admire your twinkly fingertips with each tick of the clock. Why? Because... You. Love. Glitter. That is, until it's time to remove your polish. Then... You. Hate. Glitter.
We've all been there. It practically takes a sandblaster, a bucket of acid and a chisel to get the glitter off. There must be a better way to bid adieu to a manicure that brings so much joy. So, I tried five different methods to remove glitter nail polish.
You're welcome.
Method 1: Plain old nail polish remover jar
Pictured: Cutex Regular Twist & Scrub Sponge Acetone Nail Polish Remover for Natural Nails, Nails Inc. Pop Art 2 in 1 in Sloane Street and Knightsbridge, Essie in On a Silver Platter and No More Film.
Cost: $3.99
Pro: You probably have regular nail polish remover at home
Con: It doesn't really work
The verdict: We all know how this story ends. You shred 17 cotton balls before getting your nails clean. And even then, you find a glitter barnacle that just won't let go.
Method 2: Popular Pinterest hack, remover-soaked cotton balls affixed with tin foil
Pictured: CVS Nourishing Nail Polish Remover with cotton balls and Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil, Wet & Wild Megalast in Sugar Coat and Wet & Wild Fergie in Walk of Fame, Milani Nail Lacquer in Gems and Pool Party.
Cost: $2.49 (remover), $1.99 (cotton balls), $2.99 (foil) = $7.47 total
Pro: Soaking your nails in polish works better than scrubbing
Cons: It's time-consuming and you look like a science experiment
The verdict: I don't want to work this hard. By the time you go to the kitchen, dig out the foil, cut it into 10 squares, soak 10 cotton balls in remover, wait 5 minutes for it to work, remove all the foil, and clean up the edges with more remover, you could have just used Method #1.
Method 3: Another popular Pinterest hack, using an Elmer's glue-like base coat
Pictured: OPI Glitter Off Natural Base Coat, Sally Hansen Gem Crush Nail Color in Cha-Ching!, Julep Nail Color in Barbara and Bette.
Cost: $9
Pro: Easy to apply
Con: Easy to peel off (this is a bad thing, trust me)
The verdict: Whether you use a home-made concoction of Elmer's Glue and water, or you pony up $9 for OPI's version, this method goes to the opposite extreme. You can't keep the polish on! Your nails will start to peel quickly, so only use this if you don't want your manicure to last the weekend -- or the night.
Method 4: A fancy upgrade from Julep on the Tin Foil Method
Pictured: Julep's Party's Over Glitter Nail Polish Removal Kit, Ciate Paint Pots in Serendipity, Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer in Scallywag.
Cost: $28
Pros: Terrific name, far easier, and less goofy-looking than the Tin Foil Method
Con: Expensive ($28!)
The verdict: I will definitely use all the packets that came with the kit (at this price, I'd be a fool not to), but it’s unlikely that I’ll reorder the little remover pads. And those little black finger booties are too snug to fit a cotton ball. So... that’s a no.
Method 5: A fancy upgrade from Sephora on the jar method
Pictured: Sephora Instant Nail Polish Remover for Glitter (and Nail Patches, Nail Tattoos, Pens... ), Sephora Formula X Effects Nail Color in Sparklebomb and OPI Liquid Sand Nail Lacquer in What Wizardry Is This?
Cost: $9.50
Pros: It smells great and it worked!
Con: I wish the jar was bigger so it would last longer
The verdict: Ladies, I think this is the one. Compared to the other methods, removal was pretty instant, and they included a scrubby brush inside for any stubborn sparkles. Did I mention it smelled good? Worth a trip to Sephora.
Ding-ding-ding, it looks like we have a winner! Whatever method you choose, just remember this: Life is short, wear the glitter.