Home » Reuse Ideas » Can You Reuse Fake Nails – Updated Guide

Can You Reuse Fake Nails – Updated Guide

Do you use fake nails and wondering whether they can be reused? and the simple answer is yes.

That said, there are some things you need to consider to make the entire process smooth and hassle-free.

Read today’s guide on everything you need to know about reusing fake nails.

Ensure you remove your fake nails correctly

If you want to be able to reuse a fake nail, you have to make sure you remove them carefully from your nails without damaging them.

To do a neat job, we always encourage users to avoid using harmful chemicals such as acetone.

To remove fake or pop-on nails, you can simply peel them off or gently lift them off your finger using a cuticle stick.

Clean and store them nicely

While removing your fake nails is hard, you also want to ensure they are in great condition. This is why cleaning your fake nails is super important.

To start with, ensure you get rid of all the excess tab glue from the back of the nail.

You can also take things up a notch by cleaning your fake nails with alcohol.

Once all that is done, you can store them in a nice place.

You can reuse a fake nail up to five times with proper care and maintenance, and we aren’t bluffing.

All you need to do is ensure you clean and store them every single time you take them off your nails.

Although many people use glue to attach their fake nails to their fingers, it’s best to use sticky tabs if you plan to use them more than once.

Mix and match extra nails

Since you’ll likely have some remaining nails in your manicure kit, saving the leftovers is always smart, especially if you plan on reusing your fake nails.

So when fixing your nails again, you can mix and match from another set.

Cool right? We thought so too.

Exchange the extras with your friend

Sure; sometimes you may not be able to use the extra nails that come in your manicure kit.

But have you thought about exchanging the extras with your friend?

This is a smart thing to do, especially if you want your nails to look gorgeous, different, and all shades of amazing

How can I safely remove my fake nails without running them?

Now that you know that it’s possible to reuse fake nails, we want to take things further by showing you how to safely remove your fake nails without running them.

Let’s jump in, shall we?

  • Start off by mixing a little amount of body wash oil together with warm water.
  • Any type of oil, including cuticle oil, body oil, olive oil or hair oil, will do the trick. And in case you don’t have body wash, you can substitute that with hand soap.
  • Once you have your mix, the next thing you need to do is soak your fake nails in the mixture and leave it there for at least 10-15 minutes to get the best result.
  • After the wait time, try to gently take off the fake nails. Please ensure you don’t use force, as gently wiggling from side to side should have the nail off within a couple of seconds.

Use a mild adhesive

Another brilliant way to make the removal process easy is to use weaker glue or adhesive when applying your fake nails.

Nail tabs are a brilliant option, especially if you plan to reuse your fake nails.

The reason we prefer nail tabs is that they aren’t as strong and durable as your everyday glue.

So when using them, you are sure you won’t have a hard time removing the nails.

More so, nail tabs aren’t harsh on your natural nails compared to nail glue.

The only caveat with nail tabs is that they don’t last long.

Plus, when you use it to apply your fake nails, your nails may come off before you’re ready to replace or reuse them.

We have used nail tabs several times and found them to last long.

Nevertheless, we only recommend using it if you plan to use your press on nails for a short period.

Is using acetone a good way to remove fake nails?

While we don’t recommend using acetone as it could ruin your fake nails, there is no doubt that acetone delivers a quick result.

However, when using acetone to remove fake nails, you need to use it with care.

If not used correctly, you may end up ruining your nails, and we doubt that’s what you want.

When using acetone, here is how you can make the entire process smooth and hassle-free.

  • Make sure the acetone you plan on using is warm enough. This way, you get the best result.
  • Once that’s in place, immerse your entire nails in the mixture and leave it in for 10 to 15 minutes. This way, your nails will come off easily,
  • Now, gently pull off the nails and see if it comes off.
  • After using acetone to remove your fake nails, you can also use some cuticle oil. This helps to nourish your nails.

How many times can you reuse fake nails?

From experience, we know that you can reuse fake nails at least 5 to 6 times.

That said, you’ll need to be careful when removing the nails to prevent any damage.

Also, if you clean it very well and correctly, you should be able to use fake nails a couple of times before they are due to be replaced.

How long should you use fake nails?

To be honest, it all depends on how you maintain your nails.

With proper care and maintenance, you should be able to use your fake nails for a couple of weeks.

Conclusion

Sure, it’s possible to reuse your fake nails a couple of times to give them new life.

That said, you have to be careful when taking off the nails.

Again, you have to clean the nails properly and store them properly as mentioned in our guide so you can reuse them whenever you are ready.

Author

  • Jen Wheeler

    Jen Wheeler, co-founder of Recycling-Revolution.com, holds degrees from UC Berkeley, Yale, and Stanford. A renowned environmentalist, she's championed sustainable practices at global events and leads EcoBright Solutions, focusing on recycling education and eco-friendly products.

    View all posts

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