Doing your nails at home is a great way to save some money and customize your look. One of the most tedious parts of doing your nails at home is removing the nails and the glue once you’re ready for a new manicure.

Here’s your guide to easily removing your nail glue at home. If you follow these steps, you won’t have to worry about ruining your natural nails or spending forever trying to scrape off the glue.

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A successful nail glue removal process actually starts before you get to the point of needing to remove it. If you start off by applying the nail glue properly, you’ll have a much easier time removing it later on.

1. Start out by using high-quality nail glue before you apply your press-on nails.

It’s extremely important to start out by using use high-quality nail glue when you’re doing an at-home manicure. Make sure you’re using glue that’s specifically made for nails, and look for one that’s formulated with ingredients like aloe vera that will strengthen your nails and keep them healthy.

2. Apply the nail glue properly.

Make sure that you clean, buff, and hydrate your natural nails before applying any nail glue. Then, apply a dot or two of glue to each nail and carefully place your press-on nails as you go. Remember: A little bit of nail glue goes a long way! Try your hardest to keep the glue from making contact with your cuticles or your skin. If it does spill over, take a cotton swab and quickly remove it with a tiny bit of acetone.

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Once you’re ready to remove your press-on nails, there are a few steps you need to take in order to complete the process successfully and safely. If you follow these steps, removing your press-on nails and nail glue will be an absolute breeze, and your natural nails will stay healthy and strong.

1. Soak your nails in warm water and oil.

The first step to a successful press-on nail and glue removal process is soaking your nails. Grab a small bowl and fill it with warm water and vitamin rich cuticle oil. Then, soak your nails for at least ten minutes. The warm water will loosen up the nails and the glue, and the oil will moisturize your cuticles and your natural nails.

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3. Soak your nails in warm water and acetone.

Once your press-on nails are removed, soak them in a mixture of warm water and acetone like you did for the first step of the removal process.

4. Buff your natural nails.

The warm water and acetone should take care of most of the nail glue, but there might be some residual nail glue left when you’re done soaking. You can remove the remaining glue by gently buffing your nails with a soft, high-quality nail buffer.  

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5. Finish off with cuticle oil and moisturizer.

Once you’re completely done removing your press-on nails and nail glue, it’s important to follow up with cuticle oil and moisturizer to mosturize and stregthen your nails. Nail glue can be damaging, especially if it’s left on for a long time, so you’ll really want to focus on restoring your nails to their natural state. This is even more important if you’re planning to apply another set of press-on nails right away.