Peel Off Base Coat – Alternative to the Foil Method

Double post today! 🙂

I know my swatch & reviews have been coming out a lil slow, but a big reason is that I didn’t want to mess up my hands and cuticles as using a lot of nail polish remover is quite drying, especially when it’s used more than once or twice a week. However, I found out a great way to avoid having to use nail polish remover – it’s a peel off base coat. Essence makes one, though using Elmer’s Glue works just as well. If you don’t have Elmer’s Glue, any PVA glue will work too Essentially, you can use it as a base coat and once it’s dry, you can paint your nails as usual.

Peel off base coat by Essence
Image from Oooh, Shinies!

When you want to get rid of the color, you can simply peel it off. I seriously wished I knew about this sooner! I would have had my swatches done MUCH quicker. It’s a great alternative method to using the foil method to remove nail polish, in particular those pesky glitter polishes, as it requires no nail polish removes and is much safer on your hands. Granted, it’s by no means a replacement for a regular base coat as it won’t last as long, but it’s great if you change your polish often, do numerous swatches in a single sitting, or use glitter polishes.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Foil Method, it’s a method used to remove nail polish, glitter polishes in particular, since they’re notoriously hard to remove. The method consists of placing nail polish remover/acetone-soaked cotton balls on your nails and wrapping them with foil. The foil helps keep the cotton ball in place, as well as making sure the remover doesn’t evaporate too quickly. While effective, it’s not exactly the most hand friendly since it really dries out your fingers out.

Foil Method
Image from Berry Polished

Wacky Laki has a great step-by-step tutorial of this method, as well as the foil method.

Peel Off Base Coat

Foil Method