Make sure to completely remove any nail polish you already have on using nail polish remover and a cotton pad, cotton ball, or other preferred method. Magnetic nail polish can be applied to the toenails as well. Prep toenails in the same way as fingernails.
Applying a base coat is not necessary and should not affect the outcome of the magnetic polish, but it may help to strengthen your nails, protect them from staining, and make the main polish last longer. [1] X Research source Base coat polish typically comes in clear or light shades that are designed to not affect the color of the main polish when applied. Make your magnetic nail polish really pop by adding a layer of black nail polish. After applying a base coat, paint your nails black. Then, apply another clear coat before adding the magnetic nail polish. [2] X Research source Lindsay Yoshitomi. Nail Artist. Personal interview. 12 July 2019.
Pay attention to the magnet, which is typically built into the cap of the nail polish. You will see strips of metal that create designs such as parallel lines, a star, chevrons, or curves. See if the bottle shows an image of the final product, or find one online, to help you decide which you’d like to try. Keep in mind that magnetic nail polish typically runs from about $3-15 US dollars from most retail and online stores. Popular brands like Sally Hansen, Essie, Nails Inc. , and Layla all carry magnetic nail polish varieties.
Don’t use the magnet at this time. The first coat simply helps even out the color so that you can perform the magnetization on the second coat. Have a friend apply nail polish on your dominant hand or on both hands if you aren’t used to doing so. Let the first coat dry before applying further polish.
Apply more polish than you might on a typical coat, but don’t allow the polish to pool or drip on or off your nail. It’s important to apply a thick coat that remains wet when you use the magnet, as it will create a more dramatic effect on the pattern of the polish.
Use the magnet immediately on the nail before painting the others. Simply hover over the nail and do not touch the magnet to the surface of the nail at all. Keep both the finger of your painted nail and the hand holding the magnet as still as possible for this process. Some magnetic nail polish will come with a small ridge that helps you balance the magnetic cap against your cuticle or finger; otherwise, you will simply have to have a steady hand to hold it as still and as close as you can to the nail without making contact. You will see that the magnet creates a pattern in the polish color, due to the iron shavings in the polish moving in the presence of a magnetic field. [4] X Research source
Try to keep the magnet level and applied in the same way to each nail for a uniform look, unless of course you want to have some variation between the nails. Feel free to experiment on how much polish you use, how long you hold the magnet over your nails, and how closely you hold the magnet. See if these factors create different final effects on the pattern. Try turning the magnet at different angles to create a different shape or pattern on the nail. A magnet with a pattern of horizontal lines, for example, can easily be turned at an angle to create diagonal lines on the nail if you wish.
The magnetic polish may take longer to dry than other nail polish, as you used a thicker second coat than you might normally. Wait twice as long as you would normally to apply a topcoat or perform other activities. [5] X Research source Don’t apply a third coat of the magnetic polish, as it will obscure the pattern created on the second coat. Using the magnet again on a third coat will likely create uneven results or build up too much polish on the nails.
While not necessary, a topcoat can help the polish last longer by preventing chipping, nicks, or smearing. Note that some topcoats (like China Glaze Fast Forward) may actually disturb the design of the magnetic polish, so buy and use topcoats with caution.
Use the same nail polish remover and cotton balls, cotton pads, or other materials that you’d use to remove regular polish. It may take more material and time to remove the thicker magnetic nail polish. You may want to have remover and cotton on hand when you are first attempting application of the magnetic polish, as you may need to remove it from a nail if you mess up before starting again.
