How to Paint Your Nails Without Making a Mess

Co-authored by Marta Nagorska

Last Updated: September 5, 2024 Approved

VIDEO

Painting your nails can prove messy if you don't prepare the skin around the nails to adequately protect it from the polish. If you're in a hurry or just not that coordinated when adding nail polish, one of the following methods may help in preventing the nail polish from ending up on your skin.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Elmer's glue

Download Article

^{[1]
X
Research source}
Place it directly on your skin, using a Q-tip.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
Use appropriate care, knowing however that small brush strokes onto the skin will be easy to remove.^{[3]
X
Research source}
It will lift up any nail polish that went onto it. Dispose of appropriately.^{[4]
X
Research source}
Dip a napkin in water, and spread where the glue is still stuck to your skin. Doing this will make it easier to get rid of.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Vaseline or petroleum jelly

Download Article

Do this for each nail.^{[6]
X
Research source}
If any excess polish is on your skin, all you need to do is wipe off the Vaseline and the mess is all gone.^{[7]
X
Research source}
^{[8]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I cut my nails neatly, and without creating pointy bits?

Community Answer

One way is to make short cuts and go around your whole nail. Another is to do one cut on the left, then the right, and then in the middle. Then, if there are still any points left, cut them until the nail is well rounded. Also, using a nail file to rub down the edges to finish it off neatly.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 62
Question

How can I take off nail polish when I don't have a remover?

Community Answer

If you have clear nail polish, brush a thin coat on each nail and wipe it off before it dries. It should remove the nail polish underneath.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 60
Question

Will any lip balm work instead of Vaseline?

Community Answer

Yes, although lip balms with color will not work so well.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 61

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Read Video Transcript

Reader Videos

Tips

Nail polish remover can be used to remove nail polish that ends up on your skin.

Thanks
Helpful 5 Not Helpful 2
As an alternative to glue or petroleum jelly, apply clear tape to the skin around your nails and remove it when you're done painting them.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Push your cuticles back before you begin painting and only use a little bit of polish to create up to 3 thin coats.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If your nail polish looks messy and you don't have anything to stop it from getting on your skin, wait until you're in the shower or stick your hands in warm water once your nail polish has firmly dried. Then, just scrape the nail polish off your skin!
Apply liquid latex around your cuticles and nails before you start applying any polish. This helps prevent the polish from making a mess.
If your nail polish is becoming tacky and thick, put a tiny drop of nail polish remover in and shake the bottle.
Use a base coat to protect your nail from stains and use a top coat so your nail polish will last longer.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!