In addition to ordinary enamel, gel nail polish contains a synthetic component that can impart high strength to the coating. A simple application technique and a quick drying process using ultraviolet light allow you to do your own manicure. It remains to figure out how and where to store gel nail polishes at home so that their shelf life does not become very short.
How to choose
You can determine the quality of the composition during the purchasing process using a few simple steps.
If, when opening the bottle, a drop of varnish does not fall from the brush within the next 4 - 5 seconds, it is not suitable for use. The shelf life of gel polish with a too viscous consistency will be minimal, not to mention problems with its application. But the composition should not be very liquid: a consistency of medium viscosity is considered optimal.
If possible, try applying varnish to the surface. It should lie evenly. It is important that the color is saturated right away so that you do not have to make several layers.
Very often, the appearance of the brush more eloquently characterizes the quality of the composition itself than all the arguments taken together. In counterfeit products, it has a “disheveled” appearance with heterogeneous fibers of different lengths.
Its price can tell a lot about a product. When purchasing an inexpensive composition, you should not count on high quality.
When purchasing, be sure to check the expiration date of the product. In addition to the fragility of the manicure and problems with the technique of using varnish, damage to the nails is possible.
The manufacturer is required to indicate on the bottle all information about the cosmetic product, including its composition, date and place of manufacture. The presence of a barcode and precise information about the manufacturer reduces the likelihood of counterfeiting, although it does not completely eliminate it.
Recommendations for storage and disposal of manicure and pedicure products: general terms and rules
Each cosmetic or decorative product for manicure and pedicure has an expiration date indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer. There are a number of products whose expiration date is indicated not from the production date, but from the date of first opening of the bottle or other container. It's worth taking this into account too. It is recommended to store all cosmetics in a dry, dark, cool place at temperatures up to 24°C, away from direct sunlight and heating elements. For varnishes and gels that are subject to polymerization, it is also worth eliminating sources of ultraviolet radiation.
All containers are stored in a vertical position and transported in the same position, if necessary. Jars and bottles must be tightly closed.
After disinfection and sterilization, instruments should be stored in craft bags or in UV sterilizers until the next use . Read more about disinfection and sterilization of instruments and how best to carry it out.
At the first signs of separation of the composition of cosmetics, a change in color or the appearance of an unusual odor, even before the expiration date, the cosmetics must be disposed of. SanPiN standards do not have strict requirements for the disposal of the entire list of cosmetics, so chemicals are disposed of like other chemical compounds, plastic is sorted into plastic, and everything that can be organically recycled must be sorted separately.
Rules for storing varnish
The shelf life of gel polish after opening will not be shortened if you keep it in the dark. The curing process of this composition occurs exclusively under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Contact with air does not affect its quality and does not contribute to evaporation. The threat comes from sunlight containing UV radiation. Such exposure is not enough for the process of complete polymerization to occur, but the sun’s rays can affect the structure of the composition and make it thicker.
Most manufacturers produce gel polish in opaque bottles to avoid light shining on the contents.
For maximum protection of your beauty arsenal from light exposure, it is better to use a special closed case, which in turn is sent for storage in a dark place.
The contents of bottles that are stored on a lit windowsill or table will quickly lose quality. Even the process of applying the composition must take place under electric lighting. And the container cannot be kept directly under the lamp.
The storage temperature of gel polish is usually indicated on its packaging. Heating the bottle beyond normal may lead to changes in the structure of its contents. Therefore, you should avoid its proximity to any heat sources.
Can gel polishes be stored in the refrigerator? Given that the storage temperature of the composition is usually indicated at +25C -+26C, it should not be sent into the cold so as not to create sudden temperature changes. The best option is a dark place where a stable room temperature is maintained up to +25C.
Can I use nail polish after the expiration date?
Many ladies will argue that even a product with an expired expiration date still remains presentable and is well applied to the nail plate. This is often the case, which is why women continue to use the product as a decorative coating.
Important! Spoiled varnish that has passed its expiration date can negatively affect the health of your nails. Its structure changes imperceptibly, bringing with it problems with prolonged and regular use.
At the same time, the outdated product can be used for another purpose, so as not to throw away an almost full bottle. It is suitable, for example, for handicrafts. Use it to attach buttons and flowers to plant pots on windowsills.
You can also experiment and create original designs for your phone case, shoes or other household items. Wallets and clutches can be decorated with beautiful ornaments and bright prints using this product.
Useful tips
Unlike regular nail enamel, shellac should not be shaken before application. This will lead to the appearance of many air bubbles, which will be difficult to get rid of. To make the consistency of the composition more uniform, the bottle can be lightly rolled in your palms before use.
To avoid unwanted shaking, gel polish should be transported in a fixed position with minimal shaking. Before use, the composition must sit for several hours until it acquires a homogeneous structure.
Professional manicurists who work on the road usually use special organizers equipped with holders for bottles.
After applying the decorative coating to the nails, screw the lid of the container tightly, making sure that part of the composition does not get on the threads. To clean the threads, use a special lint-free sponge moistened with a disinfectant.
Hand and foot cream
At the final stage of manicure and pedicure, it is recommended to use a nourishing or moisturizing cream. It usually comes in large containers of 250 ml. It is recommended to store cosmetics in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Shelf life is 3-4 years from the date of production at temperatures up to 27°C. After the first opening of the bottle, the cream retains its properties for 12-16 months. When exposed to sunlight and heat, oily textures can separate, releasing oils onto the surface. This happens due to the evaporation of moisture and a change in the proportions of the composition. Dispenser containers can help in this situation.
Signs that hand or foot cream is unsuitable: change in texture towards more liquid or vice versa, more dense, viscous; release of oils on the surface of the product, delamination of the composition, change in odor, formation of small flakes or lumps.
How to distinguish spoiled gel polish
Even if you follow the manufacturer's instructions, long-term storage of gel polishes leads to a change in their texture. This affects the adhesive characteristics of the composition, its wear resistance and aesthetic characteristics.
After the expiration date, gel polish may change color and acquire an unusual odor. If this occurs before the time specified by the manufacturer, the composition should be discarded.
It is almost impossible to achieve a uniform coating with expired varnish. It becomes too thick and lies on the surface in stripes. The presence of dense lumps on the bristles of the brush also indicates the low quality of the decorative product. The condition of the pile itself is also important: if it is worn out, it will not be possible to create an ideal coating with its help.
If the shelf life of the gel polish has already expired after opening the bottle, and storage standards have been violated, its further use is a big risk. Chemical processes occurring inside an expired composition can completely change its formula. This can cause severe allergic reactions.
You need to get your manicure done by a trusted professional. And before the procedure, always check the quality of the composition, following a few simple rules. If you do your own manicure, then this article on how to store gel polishes will be useful to you.
Is it possible to use the delay
When it comes to home use for personal purposes, the consumer decides whether to throw away the old product or continue to use it.
The use of gel polish to provide manicure services to third parties does not allow the use of delay: this is a violation of the legal right of consumers to receive services of proper quality, especially if the client has a negative reaction from the body after the procedure.
CAUTION: Expired cosmetics may cause an allergic reaction.
How to find out if it is expired
The fact that the product is no longer suitable for use can be determined by changes:
- Consistency. The varnish thickens, is difficult to apply, the coating quickly cracks, and chips appear. The reason is a violation of storage rules or incompatibility of the product with the base or top coat. To avoid this, it is better to use products from the same brand.
- Smell. It may become sharper and more pronounced than before.
WARNING: If stored improperly, these symptoms may occur before the expiration date stated on the label.
Under what conditions will you have to get rid of varnish?
To prevent the varnish from harming your nail plate, you need to know under what conditions you have to get rid of it:
- the varnish changed color and developed a specific smell;
- the consistency of the varnish has changed, it has thickened so much that it is no longer possible to save it or, on the contrary, has become very liquid;
- the varnish became heterogeneous, flaked, grains, flakes, and lumps appeared in its structure.
You should also immediately stop using the polish if you notice an unwanted reaction to it on your nails. And if the symptoms do not go away, you need to consult a doctor.
What is regulated
Civil legislation establishes the general concept of expiration date (Articles 472-473 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation). This is the period during which the product, subject to storage rules, should be used for its intended purpose. On the packaging it is indicated either in the number of days, months or years from the date of manufacture, or as an exact date.
For each gel polish, such a period is established by the manufacturer in the technical documentation, in particular, GOST 31693-2012 dated November 29, 2012 “Cosmetic products for nail care.”
IMPORTANT: you should distinguish between expiration and storage dates. During the latter period, the product fully retains its consumer properties, and if it runs out, this does not mean that the product cannot be used for its intended purpose.
