Take, for example, the new viral nail polish program hack making the rounds on TikTok.
The trend has to do with creating the perfect French line for a classic French manicure.
Typically this style involves painting or stamping a line across the tippy top of your nail.
Regardless of your Frenchie style, the hardest part is getting that smooth, symmetrical, dainty line.
Enter DIY, minimal-tools-needed, French line hacks some of which have gone viral and should be avoided.
What’s the hack?
Thehackconsists of painting your base coat on each of your fingernails as you normally would.
After letting them dry, paint your line color onto one pad of your finger.
Working quickly, press the top of each nail of the opposite hand into the polish on your pad.
Repeat on the other side.
And you would be right.
The finger pad method is just like using a makeup sponge, or the sometimes priciersilicone stamper.
The difference is you don’t need a fancy tool to get a great manicure.
Is it really worth it?
After all, the instructions advise that nail polish is for your nails, not your skin.
Similarly, acetone, the main ingredient of most removers, is equally drying and harmful.
Experts are anti-nail polish on the skin, too, cautioning that it could cause contact dermatitis.
Certain products, like nail polishes, can cause the condition.
Dermatologist Maris Garshick, M.D.
Never mind the prolonged exposure you experience while stamping all of your nail tips.
Remover is often the quickest way, but you may be able to use coconut oil too.
The polish should eventually unstick itself from your skin with a bit of rubbing.
After either removal method, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water.
It acts as a nice barrier between you and the polish.
You’ll want to verify to let the polish dry before removing the barrier.
Opt for a silicone stamper or the traditional method of painting and filling an outline instead.
