9 nifty ways to use nail polish

When you think of multi-tasking beauty products, nail polish probably isn’t the first thing to pop into your head. Most of us have only ever used it for one thing: painting our nails. But if you’re willing to get crafty, your polishes will soon become very handy...

#1 New phone case

If you quickly get bored with your phone case, you may have gotten into the habit of buying the cheap kind that usually ends up peeling. Instead of rushing out to buy a new case, why not use your nail polish to create a whole new pattern? Plus, this way you can get the exact colour combo you want.

Pinterest: Bonnie Altstaetter

#2 Seal envelopes

Has anybody seen the episode of Seinfeld when George’s fiancee dies from licking the envelopes for their wedding invites? While the probability of that happening in real life is, like, one in a billion, envelopes still don’t taste very nice. The solution? Use a clear nail polish to close them up!  #dontriskit.

#3 Prevent green marks from jewellery

It’s so upsetting when the amazing ring you bought from the markets turns your finger green every time you wear it. Rather than throwing the offending ring out, simply coat the inside with some clear polish. This should stop any unsightly green marks from appearing.

#4 Threading a needle

Even if you’ve got the eyesight of a hawk, threading a needle can be a frustrating task - ESPECIALLY if the thread is split. To combat that, dip the end of your thread in some nail polish, then leave it to dry while you go off to make a cup of tea. By the time you come back, it’ll be so much easier to thread through the needle. (This works especially well if you dip white thread into some bright red polish.)

#5 Colour coding

What do you do when the keys to your house, garage, office and car all look the same? Sure, you could splash some cash on those fancy coloured keys - or you could just paint the heads of each key a different polish colour. Problem solved, without a penny spent.

Pinterest: Antoinette Nunez-Byrd

#6 Securing buttons

When you finally get round to sewing on that missing button, it’s incredibly annoying to have it come off only days later. To make your sewing job as secure as possible, paint over your buttonhole stitch with a little clear polish. Your thread won’t move a bit.

#7 Stop runs in stockings

It starts as a small stretch, then the next thing you know, your stockings look like spiderwebs on your legs. The key is to get to the tug in your stockings before it has a chance to run wild. Paint over it with a clear nail polish (or black, navy, or another colour that matches your stockings) and stop that run in its tracks.

#8 Tiny flower vases

When your favourite nail colour starts to run out, get your recycling on. Paint the outside of the bottle with the last few drops, then use it as a cute little vase for your garden picks.

Pinterest: Handimania

#9 Cover up scuffed shoes

You don’t have to stop wearing your favourite pair of flats just because the tops are completely scuffed from that time when you gracefully tripped over a trolley in the supermarket aisle. Simply cover up the scuffs with the right colour of nail polish and nobody will ever know.

Do you have any other clever uses for nail polish?