Is it possible to avoid yellow nails ...
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free skin care · Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:57 am

... if I am not using base coat? I am using only light, sheer colors (a very pale pink right now, almost clear in appearance) by Zoya. Only using Zoya polishes that are in this light/sheer color range.

Will my nails yellow over time if I don't use base coat (or top coat)?

Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:15 pm

If the nail polish is light it should't turn your nails yellow usually its the dark colours that do that. If by chance they do go yellow use a buffer with different grades on it. ie: one for ridges smoothing and polishing that should remove it.

free skin care · Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:13 pm

Hi marci65,

I concur with chez1947's thoughts on how to get rid of the yellow ... but it raises the question ... why not just use a base coat?

A good base coat will keep your polish on longer. I have just tried Out The Door base coat ... [I've used their fast drying top coat for a couple of years and love it] ... and it really is the best base coat I've ever used. My polish stays on without chipping for over a week!

You can put a cheap nail polish onto a good base coat ... and even the cheap nail polish will last longer as a result. And if, like me, you don't particularly like giving yourself manicures my polish always seems to need changing when it's not convenient ... Confused

you want whatever polish you have on to last as long as possible. Laughing

Plus ... a good base coat will protect your nails from any dyes that will discolour your nails.

Just a thought ...

Mary

free skin care · Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:33 pm

I thought it was formaldehyde which yellowed nails. sterident tablets dissolved in warm water are very good for de-yellowing

free skin care · Mon Mar 05, 2007 4:50 pm

hpjrt wrote:

... but it raises the question ... why not just use a base coat?

Hi Mary! Well, it's because I'm lazy and don't usually have time to wait for the base coat to dry, then the color... then the time for both to truly "set" and dry completely so that I don't get indentations from keys, making dinner, folding clothes, etc.

One of the reasons that I stopped doing my nails was due to not having time for the upkeep. I figured that one coat of a light color would improve their appearance tremendously, but I din't want to have to block out an hour for nail painting and drying time.

Yesterday when I used the light/sheer Zoya color, they were dry in 15 minutes. I loved that! Smile

So if I do have to add base coat, I would probably use the Zoya, to stick with the reduced amount of chemicals.

free skin care · Mon Mar 05, 2007 4:51 pm

marci65, always put base coat on no matter what. You only need a thin layer. Base coat doesn't take that long to dry!! Use base coat!! Razz

Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:29 pm

Hi marci65,I'm a nail tech in IL and just thought I'd add a thing or two. Always use a base coat. Yellowing most often comes from the dyes in your polish. If you have natural nails, it's also from not giving them a 'rest'.(A couple of days should do) The onyx (nail) needs to be free of all product every now and then to 'breathe'. A good non chemical way of removing most of the yellowing can be done with lemon. Squeezing lemon directly onto the clean nail and then gently and I do mean gently buff. Wet nails are prone to breaking and splintering. A very small amount of baking soda can help out too. Have you ever noticed a nail tech applying polish? Start with one hand, go to the next and then start with your next product. We, (nail techs) do not 'wait' for any product to dry. There have been times I have had 4 to 5 different 'color' products on the nail before adding top coat. The base coat is the fastest drying so using it will help to protect your nails (and IMO the most important) You can also add a small spritz of your favorite oil to help keep the polish from smudging. There's a product by Creative Nail called 'Dry and Shine' that I particularly like to help 'dry' the nail and keep you from getting those bothersome 'dents'. I hope this helps. I'm not an 'expert'. Just passing on a few tidbits. (Oh, if you can stand it, dipping your hands in ice water will help dry the polish fast too, however I think it actually 'freezes' it.....lol) I hope this does not sound like I'm preaching, or a know it all. I don't intend for it to be that way. Embarassed

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:08 am

marci65 wrote:

... if I am not using base coat? I am using only light, sheer colors (a very pale pink right now, almost clear in appearance) by Zoya. Only using Zoya polishes that are in this light/sheer color range.

Will my nails yellow over time if I don't use base coat (or top coat)?

Probably. I always use a base coat, I have nail polish on my nails at all times and my nails are not yellow. I put it down to the base coat and using an acetone free remover.

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:44 am

mistyann wrote:

Hi marci65,I'm a nail tech in IL and just thought I'd add a thing or two. Always use a base coat. Yellowing most often comes from the dyes in your polish. If you have natural nails, it's also from not giving them a 'rest'.(A couple of days should do) The onyx (nail) needs to be free of all product every now and then to 'breathe'. A good non chemical way of removing most of the yellowing can be done with lemon. Squeezing lemon directly onto the clean nail and then gently and I do mean gently buff. Wet nails are prone to breaking and splintering. A very small amount of baking soda can help out too. Have you ever noticed a nail tech applying polish? Start with one hand, go to the next and then start with your next product. We, (nail techs) do not 'wait' for any product to dry. There have been times I have had 4 to 5 different 'color' products on the nail before adding top coat. The base coat is the fastest drying so using it will help to protect your nails (and IMO the most important) You can also add a small spritz of your favorite oil to help keep the polish from smudging. There's a product by Creative Nail called 'Dry and Shine' that I particularly like to help 'dry' the nail and keep you from getting those bothersome 'dents'. I hope this helps. I'm not an 'expert'. Just passing on a few tidbits. (Oh, if you can stand it, dipping your hands in ice water will help dry the polish fast too, however I think it actually 'freezes' it.....lol) I hope this does not sound like I'm preaching, or a know it all. I don't intend for it to be that way. Embarassed

Hi Mistyann!

Have you tried seche vite? I'm thinking of getting some cos I have the same thing with smudging nails and the oil helps but not much.

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:35 am

mistyann wrote:

Hi marci65,I'm a nail tech in IL and just thought I'd add a thing or two. Always use a base coat. Yellowing most often comes from the dyes in your polish. If you have natural nails, it's also from not giving them a 'rest'.(A couple of days should do) The onyx (nail) needs to be free of all product every now and then to 'breathe'. A good non chemical way of removing most of the yellowing can be done with lemon. Squeezing lemon directly onto the clean nail and then gently and I do mean gently buff. Wet nails are prone to breaking and splintering. A very small amount of baking soda can help out too. Have you ever noticed a nail tech applying polish? Start with one hand, go to the next and then start with your next product. We, (nail techs) do not 'wait' for any product to dry. There have been times I have had 4 to 5 different 'color' products on the nail before adding top coat. The base coat is the fastest drying so using it will help to protect your nails (and IMO the most important) You can also add a small spritz of your favorite oil to help keep the polish from smudging. There's a product by Creative Nail called 'Dry and Shine' that I particularly like to help 'dry' the nail and keep you from getting those bothersome 'dents'. I hope this helps. I'm not an 'expert'. Just passing on a few tidbits. (Oh, if you can stand it, dipping your hands in ice water will help dry the polish fast too, however I think it actually 'freezes' it.....lol) I hope this does not sound like I'm preaching, or a know it all. I don't intend for it to be that way. Embarassed

Hi, mistyann,

Don't worry, it doesn't sound like you're preaching at all. Those seem like very interesting and useful tips.

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:39 am

Hi mistyann. Thank you so much for taking time to share all of those excellent tips. I never get my nails done professionally, so being privy to your advice is a real treat, IMO!

OK, you all convinced me that base coat is worth the bit of extra time for the extra step. Thanks!

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:02 am

Thanks mistyann for the great nail tips, I have gotten lazy with base coat so will be using it from now on.

Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:29 pm

Thanks everybody! I appreciate the comraderie here. Guapagirl, I love seche vite!
I forgot to mention that if using an oil to try and keep the nails 'smudge proof', use a little extra for your cuticles too.
Marcy65, Zoya is a good polish to use when you are concerned with formaldahyde and toulene free polish. I'm becoming interested in the new water base polishes. Don't know if they will adhere well to the nail or if the colors are 'sturdy', but it's worth a try if everything I've been reading is reliable. I guess only a 'self test' will provide me with that answer. Has anyone used them?

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:26 pm

I have heard that one water-based brand (Aquarella?) doesn't last at all and it not worth buying. I haven't tried it myself. I think I will place an order online for my Zoya stuff -- Whole Foods by me didn't have a huge selection of colors.

free skin care · Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:54 pm

I've also read on EDS, some people use the crest white stripes on their nails. I guess it works quickly.

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