Nail Polish Bubbles?

[ladiosaRosa]

I applied a base coat and then two coats of OPI Will You Mariachi-Me (or something like that) and it looked beautiful.

This morning, there are tiny bubbles on some of the nails. What causes that (I know it's air in the polish); am I doing something wrong?

[justgreen]

Most times, it's because the polish is getting old and when you shake it, it causes it to bubble. Also, a good fast drying topcoat helps reduce the possibility of bubbles.

[talullah]

I read somewhere that you can get bubbles from applying polish in a drafty room or near other sources of "air flow." I don't think the air necessarily has to be in the polish before you apply it; I think if air gets into the polish on your nails before they're 100% dry it can cause bubbles, too. I try to avoid all flowing air, even from something as simple as the heater vents in the wintertime.

[justgreen]

Another way to quick set your polish, if you can stand it, dip your fingertips in a bowl of ice water. Brrrrrr but it works.

[ladiosaRosa]

Thanks for your help, justgreen; there's so much I need to learn about nail polish as I have been doing it a relatively short period of time.

Most times, it's because the polish is getting old and when you shake it, it causes it to bubble. Also, a good fast drying topcoat helps reduce the possibility of bubbles.
Well I bought this last year so I wouldn't think it was old unless it had been sitting on the shelf. Could be.

Regarding the "fast drying topcoat"..... I was under the impression that it was better to let layers dry thoroughly befor applyng the next layer. The way I did it was: I applied the base coat middle of the day. Applied one coat of color late dinner time and the second layer of color just before bed. I waited till today to apply topcoat.

Are you saying I can apply all these layers, one after the other, shortly after the previous layer is dry? That would be convenient!

Also, is Seche a fast drying topcoat you would recommend?


Another way to quick set your polish, if you can stand it, dip your fingertips in a bowl of ice water. Brrrrrr but it works.
Oohhhh, I like this suggestion. Might try that one. Would I do that between individual layers of polish or after all layers are applied?

__________________

[ladiosaRosa]

I read somewhere that you can get bubbles from applying polish in a drafty room or near other sources of "air flow." I don't think the air necessarily has to be in the polish before you apply it; I think if air gets into the polish on your nails before they're 100% dry it can cause bubbles, too. I try to avoid all flowing air, even from something as simple as the heater vents in the wintertime.

Hi talullah :waving:.....thanks for your input.

This would imply that 'blowing' (like from your mouth) air onto ones drying nail polish is not good. Geesh, I've been doing that. I'm going to be more careful.

[justgreen]

Ok, if you are using the Seche top coat,the secret there is to do a base coat, then two coats of polish, one right after the other, then the top coat as soon as you finish the second coat of polish. It works better if you apply it to wet polish. Believe me. Teacherbear taught me that trick!

If you don't have any Seche yet, I would wait about 2 minutes between coats, then about 3 minutes after the top coat, plunge your hands or finger tips in a bowl of ice water. If you have well water, right now is a good time for this. Our cold water is COLD, almost icy.

I never shake my bottles I roll them gently between my palms before opening.

ETA: Out of 5 stars??? The Seche top coat gets 100 stars in my book, I love it! I can polish my toes and go to bed about 30 minutes later and not worry about it.

[manderly]

Don't shake your nail polish before you apply it.

That makes it all air bubbly.

Roll it between your hands slowly in order to mix it without causing bubbles.

That is usually the cause of any bubbles I have.

[ladiosaRosa]

Ok, if you are using the Seche top coat,the secret there is to do a base coat, then two coats of polish, one right after the other, then the top coat as soon as you finish the second coat of polish. It works better if you apply it to wet polish. Believe me. Teacherbear taught me that trick!

If you don't have any Seche yet, I would wait about 2 minutes between coats, then about 3 minutes after the top coat, plunge your hands or finger tips in a bowl of ice water. If you have well water, right now is a good time for this. Our cold water is COLD, almost icy.

I never shake my bottles I roll them gently between my palms before opening.

ETA: Out of 5 stars??? The Seche top coat gets 100 stars in my book, I love it! I can polish my toes and go to bed about 30 minutes later and not worry about it.

Oh,thank you so much for these clear instructions. Seche is on my shopping list for next time I hit Sally's.

In the meantime.....I'll follow instructions above. We do have well water but I'll drop a couple of ice cubes in just for good luck.

I'll do a new manicure in a few days as last nights manicure really did well with the Rock brand base coat, 2 coats of OPI and Rock top coat.....except for a few bubbles here and there. Believe me....no one else will notice.

[Shermie Girl]

I'll second Ms. Justy on the Seche. That stuff is the shit. I have had a few bubbles and they are wiped out by the Seche top coat. Once you have your mani done, let it dry for a few minutes, then drip a little oil on your nails. You can use any lightweight oil, jojoba, vegetable, coconut oil that is melted. The oil will help to protect from smudging. Or look for OPI Drip dry. You drip it on your nails after you paint them and your polish will dry and cure in a fraction of the time it normally takes. A generous application of hand lotion will also work to help protect against smudging. :grinhappy:

[peacecat3]

Cool tips! Now I'llhave to look for Seche. At Sally's, you say?

The only tips I have have already been mentioned: roll your nail polish instead of shaking it, and maybe it's gotten a little old. If that's the case, there is something you can buy to lengthen the lifespan of nail polish. I forget what it's called (of course! :gurn: ), but you put a few drops in your bottle of polish when it gets too thick, and it thins it out again as if it were brand new! It's a great product for those of us who never polish our nails, and have bottles of polish sitting around for years. :innocent:

[talullah]

Thirding the Seche Vite. :whoohoo: I bought it based on recommendations over at LHC, and I'm in love with the stuff! I believe they sell it at Ulta as well as Sally's. And you do apply it when your polish is still wet. It sounds weird, but I guess that's how the Seche binds to the polish. Whatever it does, it works. :grinhappy:

[snowbear]

Now, I haven't ordered from this company, but I'm just saying that this site (http://www.adiscountbeauty.com/page40.html) has Seche for $5.45--and the 4oz refill size for $17.99.

When I get more money, I'm going to get some of that stuff. It sounds awesome.

[Beldaran]

I agree with Justy about waiting between coats. In my experience when doing multiple coats, if the previous coat isn't dry when the next coat is applied, then the bubbles form from the bottom coat releasing gasses as it dries. So try to make sure it's all dry before going to the next coat.

I have never heard anything about not doing nails in drafty areas, and sorry, but I find it hard to believe that blowing on your nails as it dries will cause those tiny bubbles. It may smear very wet polish, but other than that I can't see the harm. When I had a manicure done at a salon, they used a little dryer you set your hand in. No bubbles from that.

[justgreen]

I believe mine was $6.99, but I also got the base coat for free.

[curls2grow]

From what I've seen, Sally's with the discount card is the best price on SV top coat (and base coats too). Unless you have an ULTA coupon, I don't think ULTA's price is competitive on it. That website has a nice price, but is still higher than Sally's (not sure if you have to pay shipping with that site).

I don't wait between np coats. I use Seche Vite ridge-filler base coat (because I like that it gives an opaque start to my nails whether I wear more sheer colors or not), 2 coats of polish, one coat of SV top coat. I apply all straight through without waiting between coats and I do not get bubbles. I used to get bubbles and un-even-ness with nearly every mani when I used Zoya's base coat (I was using Zoya polish mostly back then).

In my experience, the base and top coat can impact bubbles more than airflow around the area when you are applying polish.

[zule]

My manicurist told me about the oil and ice water tricks, but also said that the polish will chip faster than if you wait for it to dry naturally. In my experience, ice water really does shorten the drying time a lot, but my nails chip easily anyway, so that doesn't matter. I just don't pay attention to nail care and bump them against things, type, etc.

[justgreen]

With the Seche Vite, when you get a chip, just touch it up with your polish, then apply a coat of SV over the whole nail. I can go a whole week that way.

[Shermie Girl]

That is what I do, Justy. I can spin out a mani for a week, doing that and adding a fresh all over topcoat every other day. :happy: I can make it last longer, but I find that after a week, it is starting to look a little raggedy and I want to change it.

[justgreen]

This is the truth. Last night, TEN minutes before I was ready to crawl into my bedcovers to watch tv and fall asleep, I put on a base coat, ONE coat of nail polish (semi-clear irridescent, pearly) and one coat of Seche. I literally waited five minutes, then went to bed. I have NO marks of any kind and the nails are very smooth.

[OhioSKy]

I don't usually wear polish anymore other than a coat of protein color but when I used to paint my nails a lot I had this problem a lot. I found that it was usually caused by the polish being put on too thick, sometimes because I just put it on too thick, sometimes because I didn't wait long enough in between coats, and sometimes because the polish was aged a bit.

[ladiosaRosa]

I'd like to thank everyone for their input into this thread and say that I'm sorry that I have not been attentive to it; I usually like responding to each contributing member.

:purplex: I've had a bitch of a sinus headache for a few days and not even wanted to get on the 'puter. Please forgive. I need to run over to my TBB Beauty Blog to note my CO today (otherwise, I loose track of my dd's).

I hope the lively conversation continues; I'll try to come back tomorrow and read each individual post.

[Shermie Girl]

{{{LadiosaRosa}}} I hope that your poor head is feeling better, today. :flower:

Does anyone else get more bubbling when it is hot and humid? Because I sure do. I wonder if keeping my polish in the fridge during hot weather would help stop that or if refrigeration would just thicken my polish, making the problem worse?

[OhioSKy]

I would think refrigerating polish would make it thicker. I don't know about heat because I don't have any problems here in California when it is hot but humidity may be a problem. It is not usually humid here so I would think that may a bigger problem than the heat alone.

[Shermie Girl]

I would think refrigerating polish would make it thicker. I don't know about heat because I don't have any problems here in California when it is hot but humidity may be a problem. It is not usually humid here so I would think that may a bigger problem than the heat alone.


That's what I was afraid of. And why I never tried chilling my polish. It gets pretty wicked hot here, and during our Monsoon season, ugly humid, as well. Polishing my nails during that time is always such a pleasure.

[ladiosaRosa]

Thank you, Shermie Girl.....I feel much better, today.

I'm taking in all the information this thread is producing.

I went to Sally's today hoping to get the Seche; they were out. I've bitched and moaned in my TBB Beauty Blog.

Anyway, except for the bubbles, this last manicure has been very, very satisfactory. I'm so glad I tried the OPI Will You Mariachi Me? again.

[kimberlily]

ladiosaRosa, isn't Will You Mariachi Me? a pretty colour? I did my toes with it this afternoon :)

I haven't read the whole thread, so my apologies if this has already been mentioned, but I get bubbles in my polish if I apply it too thickly :)

And yes, Seche Vite kicks butt :D

[curls2grow]

I apply thick coats every time (2 of 'em) -- I get streaks and brush marks in my polish if I don't -- and I don't get bubbles. In my case, I know bubbles previously had to do with the base and top coats I used (Zoya, for both, caused bubbles for me).

I've used SV ridge-filler base coat and SV top coat with various polish brands sandwiched between the 2 -- no bubbles anymore.

[ladiosaRosa]

ladiosaRosa, isn't Will You Mariachi Me? a pretty colour? I did my toes with it this afternoon :)

I haven't read the whole thread, so my apologies if this has already been mentioned, but I get bubbles in my polish if I apply it too thickly :)

And yes, Seche Vite kicks butt :D

kimberlily, Will You Mariachi Me? is a pretty color; just a hint of purplish color; doesn't clash with most of what I wear. I'm glad I resurrected it from my stash.

I don't know if I mentioned it, but those bubbles, as the week went on, became less and less obvious. I'll use that color again for my next manicure (wearing Tutti Fruiti Tonga now) and see if those bubbles are specific to that particular bottle that I own.

[ladiosaRosa]

I apply thick coats every time (2 of 'em) -- I get streaks and brush marks in my polish if I don't -- and I don't get bubbles. In my case, I know bubbles previously had to do with the base and top coats I used (Zoya, for both, caused bubbles for me).

I've used SV ridge-filler base coat and SV top coat with various polish brands sandwiched between the 2 -- no bubbles anymore.

You know, curls2grow, I'm more and more leaning toward concluding that it was the base coat. Brand: Rock. Directions say "apply thin coat...."; however, it was thick coming out of the bottle so I didn't have a choice.

For my current manicure I'm using the Rock base coat, again, but I first diluted it with 4-5 drops of nail polish remover. Thinned it out some. Applied much better. Current manicure is the BEST I have ever gotten. Still using my Rock topcoat as I have't been able to pick up the SV yet.

justgreen was absolutely right (I've written in my blog); I applied base coat and two coats of color with 2-3 minutes in between and then I applied topcoat IMMEDIATELY, while second color coat was still wet. I applied a little more heavily than I usually do so I could use minium brush strokes. Beeeuuuuuutiful!

[PseudoScot]

Ladiosarosa, I don't mean to hijack but I'm learning a lot in this thread and am quite interested in Seche Vite. But I have a question related to your base coat question... what do you use for a base coat?

I rarely wear polish and normally just put it right on the nail, but I detest how some colors can kind of "stain" the nail - does a base coat prevent this?

[Again, sorry if this is a complete hijack!]

[ladiosaRosa]

Ladiosarosa, I don't mean to hijack but I'm learning a lot in this thread and am quite interested in Seche Vite. But I have a question related to your base coat question... what do you use for a base coat?

I rarely wear polish and normally just put it right on the nail, but I detest how some colors can kind of "stain" the nail - does a base coat prevent this?

[Again, sorry if this is a complete hijack!]
No apology necessary, PseudoScot. I love the ongoing conversation here; I'm learning so much, myself.

Currently, I'm using Rock Brand base coat. I bought it last June and am mostly happy with it but I think it got thick a little quickly. I diluted it with a couple of drops of acetone nail polish remover. It's better, now.

I have only been wearing colors that are pale and close to the color of 'flesh' because my nails are small and dark colors would accentuate that. I use base coat to add overall strength to my weak nails. So I don't know, from experience, the answer to that question. But, I have thought about it, just recently. I'm just about to order my first dark color. I seem to remember seeing my s/i/l's nails with no laquer of any kind on them, and they did give a hint of 'stain' from a previously used dark color.

I would imagine that a base coat would prevent that 'stain'. I look forward to hearing from other's about this.

[justgreen]

Yes basecoat prevents stain. I just removed a deep dark true purple a few minutes ago and no stain. I would suggest using a base if you are using reds and so on.

[curls2grow]

ladiosaRosa -- I just wanted to mention that next time you need to thin/dilute base coat, polish, or top coat you should try not to use nail polish remover of any sort -- whether acetone or acetone-free. Beauty supply stores sell nail polish thinner that is made for this purpose; np remover can actually ruin your nail product.

I got Beauty Secrets brand np thinner at Sally Beauty for $3-4 and it's about a 4oz bottle that will last a long time, considering only a few drops are needed each time.

I hope this helps! :)

[ladiosaRosa]

ladiosaRosa -- I just wanted to mention that next time you need to thin/dilute base coat, polish, or top coat you should try not to use nail polish remover of any sort -- whether acetone or acetone-free. Beauty supply stores sell nail polish thinner that is must better for this purpose; np remover can actually ruin your nail product.

I got Beauty Secrets brand np thinner at Sally Beauty for $3-4 and it's about a 4oz bottle that will last a long time, considering only a few drops are needed each time.

I hope this helps! :)

Thanks, curls2grow! I had no idea. I'll look for that product next time in Sally's.

[PseudoScot]

Thank you girls for your reply! I so rarely wear nail polish 'staining' isn't a huge issue but I always wondered how to get around it and never spent the time looking into base coats! Thank you!

[curls2grow]

I have found that using a ridge-filling base coat helps to prevent staining on my nails better than a standard base coat. Maybe it's whatever makes the RF base coat more opaque that helps to block some of the nail staining.

[LORA410]

I applied a base coat and then two coats of OPI Will You Mariachi-Me (or something like that) and it looked beautiful.

This morning, there are tiny bubbles on some of the nails. What causes that (I know it's air in the polish); am I doing something wrong?

Everytime I use a base coat I get bubbles; so I would try it without the base coat and see if that helps.

[justgreen]

One thing I have noticed. If you wait too long between base coat and first coat of polish, it tends to affect the staying power of the polish and it sometimes causes tiny bubbles.

[frannyg]

Although it's been about 2 years since I was a nail polish regular, I haven't forgotten my stuff. Revlon makes a terrific base coat that I never found to cause any bubbling. It dries to a tacky finish so that the nail polish adheres better, and as Justy suggests, you don't need to wait very long at all to apply polish. Their top coat is excellent as well, and quick drying.

[justgreen]

I think someone needs to open a weird shop, part beauty salon/knitting nook/life advice.

[ladiosaRosa]

I think someone needs to open a weird shop, part beauty salon/knitting nook/life advice.
That's an excellent, entrepreneur-eal (not really a word)idea, justy...

....and online, they call it TBB.

Hey, curls2grow, I picked up a 4 oz. bottle of that polish diluting liquid you mentioned. Thanks again for the tip. One thing I have noticed. If you wait too long between base coat and first coat of polish, it tends to affect the staying power of the polish and it sometimes causes tiny bubbles.
I totally buy into this now, justgreen....thanks for this advice. I've done my second manicure since starting this thread and last nights effort turned out fantastic.(snip)Revlon makes a terrific base coat that I never found to cause any
bubbling. It dries to a tacky finish so that the nail polish adheres
better, (snip) Their top coat is excellent as well, and quick drying.Aaahhh, I'll have to keep this in mind. Never know when one is going to be out of town and need of manicure supplies. There's always 'Revlon' to be found. Thanks, frannyg.
Everytime I use a base coat I get bubbles; so I would try it without the base coat and see if that helps.I would really like not to eliminate base coat from my method; I've always thought it extended the life of the color on my nails and I think it actually adds strength to my nails, which I really need.Thanks,everyone!

[frannyg]

......That's an excellent, entrepreneur-eal (not really a word)idea, Justy.....
But "entrepreneurial" is a real word, ladiosaRosa! You just about had it. And I agree. TBB is just what Justy describes.

I also agree with you that base coat extends the life of nail polish. No question. However a lot of people use a product called basecoat/topcoat, and really, there is no such thing. Basecoat is a very specific product with very specific properties, as is topcoat. I think that's where a lot of people go wrong.

[justgreen]

Yes, but I meant in real life....where we could all meet and do girly things *sorry guys, you are included if you wish*, help each other with knitting problems and life problems....someone extremely rich with a jet that could get us all together!

[frannyg]

I'll get on the horn with my buddy Bill Gates. :eureka: I'm sure you don't know of him, but he just might have the resources you need to get your business off the ground, sweetie. :whoohoo:

[ladiosaRosa]

But "entrepreneurial" is a real word, ladiosaRosa! You just about had it. And I agree. TBB is just what Justy describes.

I also agree with you that base coat extends the life of nail polish. No question. However a lot of people use a product called basecoat/topcoat, and really, there is no such thing. Basecoat is a very specific product with very specific properties, as is topcoat. I think that's where a lot of people go wrong.

I'm such a poor speller; I thought it was a word but my handy dictionary didn't spell it letter for letter and I just couldn't take the leap. "...just about had it." is good for me. Thanks, dearie.

Oh, I've lived those basecoat/topcoat woes myself. I learned early on that you can't substitute a basecoat for a topcoat and vise versa.

[curls2grow]

Glad to hear it, ladiosaRosa, It was suggested to me that I start with 3-5 drops the first time, shake things up, and see if that makes a difference -- or add the drops, shake and let it sit overnight. Better to start with just a few drops, since you can always add more. I keep adding periodically to my ridge-filling base coat when it seems thick and it's still doing fine.