If you are going to do a long-lasting manicure with a decorative coating, to perform nail designs or nail art, you will definitely need a primer. This preparation has several useful functions, the most important of which is the priming of the surface of the nail plate for better adhesion of the decorative coating. But the primer can suddenly end at the most inopportune moment, and what to do in this case, refuse to perform the manicure? Nail art experts report that, as a last resort, primer can be replaced with improvised preparations that have similar properties. Their effectiveness, of course, will not be 100%, but if there is no time or money to buy a specialized drug, you can resort to this option. The journalists found out what household substances can replace the nail primer – one of these tools is sure to be found in your kitchen, in the nearest grocery or hardware store.
What is a primer and what is its function
A primer is a cosmetic product that is similar in consistency to nail polish and comes in the same form – in small bottles with a brush in the lid. The tasks that this product performs:
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Degreases the surface of the nails.
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Eliminates excess moisture from the plate, dries.
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Disinfects the surface, interferes with the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms, in particular – fungi.
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Slightly lifts the scales of the upper layer of the nail plate so that the base and decorative coating hold for the longest possible period of time.
The primer does not need to be used if you plan on using regular nail polish. But if a persistent coating (gel polish, shellac, acrylic) is applied, the use of a primer is a mandatory step in nail art.
What can replace nail primer
If you forgot to buy a primer, don't panic. There are several products you can use to fulfill its function. The most popular options are:
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Acetone, nail polish remover with or without acetone. The main thing is that there are no oily, fatty components in the formula of the drug. Acetone will accurately dry the surface of the nails and get rid of excess skin secretions. And it will also have a disinfecting effect on tissues, due to which pathogens will not multiply under a layer of gel polish or shellac.
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The vinegar that you use in your cooking. It can be a product of 6% or 9% concentration, but if there is a choice, it is better to give preference to the latter option. Vinegar also removes dirt from the surface of the nail plates, an oily film, and slightly dries the nails.
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Any alcohol-containing product. It can be pure drinking, ethyl alcohol, vodka, cologne. The more degrees in the preparation, the better. But it is not worth using liquids with a large number of additional ingredients (dyes, flavors, sweeteners, etc.). This means that it is impractical to use as a primer, for example, a wine containing alcohol, a sweet low-alcohol drink, or a tincture.
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Strong tea brew. Black tea, brewed very strongly, has disinfecting properties. But he is not able to rid the nail plates of excess moisture. Therefore, if you use a tea solution, dry your nails thoroughly with a hairdryer.
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Lemon juice you squeezed yourself. You can also use a half of a lemon – cut the citrus, slightly mash the pulp with one half with a fork, without disturbing the shape of the fruit, stick the fingers of one hand into the pulp for 5-7 minutes. The acidic environment will help disinfect the surface, dry and degrease the marigolds. In addition to lemon juice and pulp, you can use a strong solution of citric acid, which is sold as granules in sachets of 10-15 grams.
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Boric acid at a concentration of 3%. This substance has disinfecting and drying properties.
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PVA glue. The main component of this substance is polyvinyl alcohol, so it can be tried as a degreaser and drying agent. After drying, the adhesive film must be removed.
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Another easy way to replace your nail primer before applying a long-lasting decorative coat is to use laundry soap, or even tar soap if you have one on hand. This product helps to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, qualitatively removes oily film and dirt from nails, slightly dries the surface.
If the primer is over and you are forced to use the tools at hand, you can be sure that the result will not disappoint you. However, the adhesive properties of such preparations are not high, therefore, instead of the standard 2-3 weeks, the manicure will last no longer than 8-10 days. Therefore, the use of 'analogs' of the primer is recommended for the application of durable decorative coatings, but not for nail extension.
How to use a product that can replace the nail primer
If you decide to replace the nail primer with an improvised preparation, it will be useful to learn how to apply it correctly and at what stage of the manicure it should be done:
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Remove the decorative coating from the nail plates if you have not yet had time to clean them of varnish.
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Perform an unedged hygienic manicure. The cuticle should remain intact, it only needs to be slightly pushed with an orange stick towards the base of the nail.
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Wash your hands thoroughly with soap under running water, dry them with a towel, or better – under a stream of warm air, for example, using a hair dryer.
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Take a cotton swab and dip it in the product you decided to replace the primer with. If using soap, make a soapy liquid first by placing a small amount of shavings in a glass of water and letting it dissolve.
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Treat all nail plates with an improvised primer, if the product does not require rinsing, let it dry and repeat the procedure. If you use soapy water, be sure to rinse off your nails.
If, after the procedure, the nails lose their natural shine and become covered with a whitish film, this is a variant of the norm. So the home remedy used to replace the primer worked well. Start applying the base and decorative coating while the nail plates are in optimal condition, and dirt and dust have not yet had time to settle on them.
Precautions when using primer analogs
The original nail primer is a fairly safe product that has undergone clinical trials and theoretically is not capable of harming the nail plates or surrounding tissues. But if you use any drug to replace the primer, you must follow safety measures, since it is not completely known how this or that substance can affect the nails or skin.
How to stay safe when using homemade primer substitutes:
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Use a product that can replace the primer as little as possible if your nails are too thin and brittle. It is recommended to use such drugs only in extreme cases, giving preference to specialized liquids for disinfection, dehydration and degreasing of nails on an acid-free basis.
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Be sure to run an allergy test before using any product for the first time. When it comes to tea leaves or PVA glue, you will most likely be sure that your body will not show any non-standard reaction. But acetone, boric acid are liquids that you need to be careful with. Therefore, apply a few drops to the inside of your wrist and wait 15-25 minutes. The skin should not have such manifestations of allergies as rash, redness, swelling or itching. In this case, the product can be used as an impromptu nail primer.
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Even if you are not allergic to the substance with which you intend to replace the primer, you must make sure that it only gets on the nail plates and does not touch the skin of the fingers. The drug will not cause significant harm, but the occurrence of excessive dryness of the skin should still be avoided.
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If, in the process of performing a hygienic manicure, you have violated the integrity of the cuticle or skin around the nails, you do not need to use any means that can replace the primer within 24 hours. Even the slightest amount of caustic substance on the injured tissue is fraught with pain. In addition, you can get a chemical burn, so you will have to wait a little with the manicure. If this is completely impossible, apply varnish without preliminary preparation of the nail plates, taking care not to touch the damaged areas. The decor will not last long, but it will perform its function within 2-4 days, and the damaged tissues will have time to heal. In order for this to happen as quickly as possible, use not a plaster, but BF-6 medical glue, which will tighten the skin and promote its early recovery.
Nail art experts do not recommend getting too carried away with the use of products that can replace a primer. Still, it is safer to use specialized drugs, the formulas of which were developed taking into account all the features and functional tasks inherent in primers.
