Essence Ready for Boarding collection has just been released in Australia. Lauren from the Aussie Nails Facebook group picked up the Essence Peel Off Base Coat and gave it a review. She had suspicions that it was just PVA glue in a polish bottle. Michelle (Lab Muffin) had a look at the ingredients and confirmed that it was PVA glue, water and some preservatives.
I thought I'd test out how well real PVA glue worked as a peel off base coat so I headed over to my local Bunnings Warehouse (a hardware store) and picked up a 100ml bottle of Selleys PVA glue for $4.66. That gives me about 6.7 bottles of peel off base coat for 70c each!
I chose Sally Hansen Gem Crush - Glitz Gal for the test. Glitz Gal is a very gritty glitter polish I had been putting off wearing because I knew it would be a pain in the bum to remove. Here it is on my sad little nubbins.
.jpg)
Here's how to make your own peel off base coat:
Step 1 - Put some PVA glue in a clean polish bottle.
Step 2 - Apply a coat of PVA glue and wait for it to dry. It will turn clear when it's dry. It should take about 5 - 10 minutes to dry depending on the thickness of the coat applied.
.jpg)
Step 3 - Apply that glitter polish you've been ignoring and finish with top coat. I used Seche Vite.
Step 4 - When you're ready to remove the polish scrape it off with an orange wood stick starting at the base of the nail. You'll need to use a some force to begin with.
.jpg)
It seriously took about 2 second per nail for removal. If you are careful you can remove it all in one big chunk like in the picture below.
.jpg)
I wore this manicure for 24 hours before removing it. I had no chips or peeling. This is by far the easiest glitter removal method I have tried. I will be using PVA glue as a base for all my future glitter manis. I'm going to try it under other polishes like shimmers and cremes. Another great thing about this is if it thickens up you just need to add water.
What do you think about PVA as a base coat for easy glitter removal? Will you give this a go?
Wow, what a great idea!!
ReplyDeleteIt's great! So glad Lauren and Michelle figured it out. :)
DeleteThat is really cool! I've never heard of pva glue.
ReplyDeleteIt's also known as wood glue, white glue, craft glue or Elmers glue (especially if you're from the US).
DeleteIt's a miracle!! hehe glad this tested and worked perfectly. This changes EVERYTHING!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's really exciting! I've hated glitter removal until now! :D
DeleteHaha, yesss it does!! I just linked to this on my blog and wrote "it will change your life!" lol! So excited!!
DeleteI purchased the essence peel off basecoat from the ready for boarding collection on Saturday and used it for glitter. Works quite well and I'm glad there is an alternative because I didn't want to use it all up
ReplyDeleteI looked for it over the weekend but didn't find it. I'm also glad there is an alternative. :)
DeleteThis is by far the best nail tip I've ever read! Thank you so much, I'm going to get myself some PVA glue tmrw!
ReplyDeleteps. do you know if PVA glue is bad for the nails (e.g. staining or fragile nails)in the long run?
I've checked the safety information for the brand I purchased. It's listed as non toxic so it should be safe for use on your nails. There's no information about prolonged use though.
DeleteI used to do mosaics for a living and used PVA glue every single day for years. I loved it because it didn't smell, it was easy to remove and had no effect at all on my nails.
DeleteI used to do mosaics for a living and had PVA glue on my hands and nails every single day for years with no ill effects. I loved it because it didn't smell, was easy to wash off and didn't effect my nails at all.
DeleteThanks so much for commenting on your experience with using this glue. :)
DeleteOh My gosh Alanna, thankyou sooo much for this post, I cannot wait to crack out the glitters ! lol thankyou sooo much, I'm surprised it works ! : D
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your easy glitter removal! :)
DeleteThis is the cleverest thing I have ever read! Definitely using this next time I wear glitter, which I have been putting off expressly because removal is such a PITA!
ReplyDeleteI'll never have to use the foil method again! :)
DeleteI cant believe they're just selling PVA glue in a little bottle! Those sneaks! I'd be interested to see how long the glue will last without starting to peel at the edges, I don't always have time to do my nails daily or bi-daily.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty sneaky of them since they are charging about $3.50 a bottle! I'm going to do a longer wear test so stay tuned for those results. :)
DeleteNow I am curious as to whether PVA is less bad for you than non-acetone/acetone remover.
ReplyDeleteI've checked the safety information for the brand I purchased. It's listed as non toxic so it should be safe for use on your nails.
DeleteSchool children have been using Elmer's glue for years, so I think it's pretty safe! :)
DeleteOh my goodness, who'd thunk it! I am totally going to try this!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your easy glitter removal! :)
DeleteSuch a good idea! I put off wearing a lot of my glitters because I hate the removal, so I'll have to give this a try :)
ReplyDeleteThis particular glitter had been sitting in my unworn pile for a few months now just for the removal reason. Never again! :)
Deletethank you doll....very good Idea....
ReplyDeleteI try it as soon as possible....because all time I have many difficult to remove glitter polish...
XOXO
vendy
Enjoy your easy glitter removal! :)
DeleteWow. I've been thinking of buying this Essence base, but maybe I should just buy some glue?))
ReplyDeleteThough I'm afraid that it may be harmful for nails...
I've checked the safety information for the brand I purchased. It's listed as non toxic so it should be safe for use on your nails.
DeleteInteresting! It doesn't peel off a thin layer of your nail like if you were to peel off plain polish, does it?
ReplyDeleteNo it doesn't peel off part or your nail like picking of regular polish can do. It doesn't seem to grip as strongly to your nail but it lasts at least a day. I'll be doing a wear test so stay tuned for those results. :)
DeleteI wonder about if you put on regular base coat first and then the glue... Then the polish and topcoat...??
DeleteThat's one of the things I'm testing along with the wear test. Results will be up soon. :)
DeleteWOW! That is absolutely Amazing! Does the glue peel off with the polish or do you remove it another way?
ReplyDeleteYep, the glue and the polish peel off together. :)
DeleteThat's interesting! So it didnt affect your nails at all? I would be afraid of peeling or something :-/
ReplyDeleteNo peeling or damage to my nails at all. :)
DeleteThanks for posting this. I am going to try it. I keep a mani on for a week and I wonder how long this will last. I was just recently looking at how many glitter polishes I have that I hate using because of the removal. I use the foil method with pure acetone, but its just so harsh. If this lasts, it would be a good alternative. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to do a longer wear test. Stay tuned for the results. :)
DeleteCant wait!! makes me want to go to the store and get elmers glue!!
DeleteWoot cant wait for a longer wear test. :D
DeleteShould have the results up by the end of this week. :)
DeleteI'll give it a go if I find out what the glue is called in Danish :) Because this looks like a cool way to remove the precious glitter!
ReplyDeleteOh.. it's called the same thing :D Haha, in which case the answer is still yes! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear. Have fun with your easy glitter removal! :)
DeleteThis is. The greatest. Glitter removal.
ReplyDeleteI have ever seen.
I think it's so funny that Essence just bottled some GLUE and sold it as a base coat! And now that we all know, glitter removal is changed for good. ;D I definitely need to try this.
It's the best removal method I've tried. Enjoy your easy glitter removal! :)
DeleteWow!! I'll definitely try that! Thanks.
ReplyDelete... and congrats on the new look! ;)
Thanks :)
DeleteThis is fantastic! Need to get some PVA glue asap!
ReplyDeleteYes you do! :)
DeleteHoly Toledo! This is BRILLIANT!!! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :)
DeleteWow, this is interesting! Thank you for testing it and letting us know, now I know what I'll do when my peel-off base runs out! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a cheap easily obtainable alternative :)
DeleteI really like this idea, but i'm afraid it would my nails or am i just being paranoid?
ReplyDeleteI've checked the safety information for the brand I purchased. It's listed as non toxic so it should be safe for use on your nails. :)
DeleteGreat idea! I have many glitter polishes that I pretend I haven't bought, as I hate long removal. I will definitely give PVA a try!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your easy glitter removal! :)
Deletehow is the bond/hold strength under wet conditions such as washing dishes or taking a shower?
ReplyDeleteI'll be testing this out over the next few days. Stay tuned for the results! :)
DeleteI have a lot of experience with PVA glue with mosaics. I would use the glue for the individual tile pieces and then again I would use a diluted version to seal the grout after the piece was dry. If it gets very wet (immersed in water for an extended period of time) it would turn white again but it still took some friction to get it off. I would guess that the nail polish would kind of "seal" the glue from getting too wet. I think that a bath or shower wouldn't affect it terribly but I would wear gloves to wash dishes.
DeleteOMG you've made my day I'm going to get some asap i'm sick to death of the foil method!
ReplyDeleteMe too! I'm so stoked that this worked. :)
Deleteoh wow! that is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'll be wearing glitters all the time now! :)
DeleteYou girls are so smart!! I love that you've figured this out!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad it worked! :)
DeleteThanks for sharing this little gem! If it's non-toxic glue that children can use, it can't be worse than nail polish :p
ReplyDeleteYeah that's what I think! :)
DeleteThat is SO freakin' awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteSuper freakin' awesome! :D
DeleteAwesome investigative work ladies. I'm filling an empty bottle tonight with aquadhere. Like I needed more reasons to wear glitter polishes! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're giving it a try. I know I'll be wearing glitter polishes more often now. :)
DeleteNice method, but is that safe for nails?
ReplyDeleteI've checked the safety information for the brand I purchased. It's listed as non toxic so it should be safe for use on your nails. :)
DeleteOh wow I have got to get me some Elmers School Glue. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I have to pick me up some Elmers school glue. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your easy glitter removal! :)
Deleteit's amazing how it goes on white,but turns clear.I love it!
ReplyDeleteNo more touching your base coat to see if it's dry. :)
DeleteMine took ten minutes to dry,I sat and watched it,lol!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteToday at Woolworths a bottle of Selly's PVA glue went into the trolley. This will be perfect for that bottle of Sally Hansen Cha Ching from the Gem Crush range. It has been sitting on my bedside table watching me balefully as I apply other polishes...
ReplyDeleteIt would have been useful to have before applying the polish I am currently removing. I used to use Orly Tough Cookie for those types of polishes because that base used to flake off my nails in a single sheet without a problem. It is a bit of a concern for where you may suddenly leave a shard of polish. In a cake is not a good thing for example.
I had a cheap base coat that would mostly peel off with some force. Not as easily as PVA though. :)
DeleteThis is a great idea. I'm off to bunnings after work.
ReplyDeleteThats a great idea. i am off to Bunnings after work.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your easy glitter removal! :)
DeleteOHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH!
ReplyDeleteRight under our noses the whole time! Genius! Pure genius! I wanna go home and try this NOW! :D Yay! Thank you for posting this awesomesauce!
OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH!
ReplyDeleteRight under our noses the whole time! Genius! Pure genius! I wanna go home and try this NOW! :D Yay! Thank you for posting this awesomesauce!
You're welcome :)
DeleteCrazy!
ReplyDeleteNow I don't have to put off wearing glitter polishes! :)
DeleteQUESTION....
ReplyDeletein the USA these white /elmers glues wash off with water..
Have you tried washing your hads a few times? washing dishes, showering..to see if it will wash off or damage the look of the gliter?
I'm currently doing a wear test which includes testing all of those things. I'll have the results up on Monday. Pssst, you can expect good things ;)
DeleteCould you try soaking your hands in a bowl of warm water to see if that would make removal super easy?
DeleteSuper excited about this!
ReplyDeleteI hope you try it. :)
DeleteI did a little test myself with Elmers - over a clean nail, it's great - over OPI nail envy, it WRECKED my nails - even took bits out of the top layers of my nail in the middle of the nail. I read that someone did the glue and THEN base coat to stop staining, and I'll try that - but don't put the base coat on first! I plan on posting my review on my blog this week (lit from within) if you want to see pix of the damage.
ReplyDeleteYeah my test over Nail Tek almost wrecked my nail. I didn't peel off the patches that were stuck. I'll keep an eye out for your post. :)
DeleteAnd yes I've also heard that PVA then a base coat stops staining. :)
DeleteMy 1st attempt was over OPI nail envy too - it wasn't that easy to get off! I did wonder if I shouldn't have bothered with base coat - now I know! lol xx
DeleteThis Is So Cool!! I Cant Wait To Try!!!
ReplyDeleteSay goodbye to the foil method! :)
DeleteHoly jeez, you've changed my polish life!!! No more foil! You and Michelle are awesome!
ReplyDeletenice post alarna. I just want to know if the nail polish actually comes off too easily when used with glue? because sometimes with glitter polishes for full opacity i need 3 coats so because of that sometimes it just falls off if i bump it! I still want long lasting glitter polishes, but easy to remove lol
ReplyDeleteI did a five a day wear test with the PVA base coat and 5 coats of polish on top, 5 including the top coat. Here's the post: http://www.prettypurplepolish.com/2012/08/pva-glue-base-coat-questions-and-wear.html
DeleteForgot to mention that it chipped a little but didn't come off by itself.
DeleteRevolutionary! Can't wait to try this- can't wait to pull out those glitters I've been putting off wearing!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the easy glitter removal! :)
DeleteThis is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteSo easy! No more foil! :)
DeleteWow!! Definitely gonna try!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear! :)
DeleteCan this also work for Elmers school glue? Just wondering 'cause that's is the only liquid glue i have. c:
ReplyDeleteI think Emlers glue is very similar or the same as PVA glue so it should work. You may need to add some water to it to thin it out if it's too thick. :)
DeleteThis. Is. The. Best. Thing. Ever!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I was sad that that collection didn't make it to my country, but now I can get happily glittering :) !
You're welcome, I hope you enjoy it! :)
DeleteAnd I'm so glad that BeautifulWithBrains linked to you after I shared your discovery with her ^_^ .
DeleteThis is amazing! Thanks so much xo
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Grace. :)
DeleteI Love this Coat. Easyer as Everything
ReplyDeleteIt is very easy. :)
DeleteAmazing! Thank you so much! :D
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Dulce. :)
DeleteHi, do you use the glue on top of a base coat or not have a base coat at all?
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't work very well over a base coat. If you still want to use the base coat to prevent staining use the PVA first then put the base coat over that. PVA won't prevent staining. Hope this helps. :)
DeleteElmers glue works just as well. However, I did it and it doesn't last more than like 20 mins for me. Not sure why I don't pick at it or anything :( Anyway to fix this?
ReplyDeleteTry wiping your nails with acetone or polish remover before applying the glue to remove any dirt and oils from your nail bed. When you apply the glue leave a gap around your cuticles. When you apply the polish do the same thing, leave a gap near your cuticles but try to make sure it's a smaller gap than the one you left when applying the glue so that all the glue has been sealed in under the polish. :)
ReplyDeleteI love essence peel, but I love you now :)
ReplyDeleteI hope the PVA glue works just as well for you. :)
DeleteIm definitely going to b trying this out! xx
ReplyDeleteI hope it works for you. :)
DeleteI was wondering - I love to use glitters when I'm not at work - but I find they often peel/flick off in one whole piece, leaving me with a naked nail. Am I doing something wrong? Or is there a trick to keeping them in place?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex
Is this when using PVA as the base? PVA is supposed to peel off like that so you're not doing anything wrong.
DeleteIf your nail polish is coming off like that without the PVA base try wiping your nail with acetone before applying your polish to remove dirt and oils which can prevent the polish from gripping to your nail. I'd also recommend using a base coat and top coat to help your polish stay on.
I do my nails using the ASP quick dip nail system, something like acrylic. Has anyone tried this method with it? I have a beautiful micro glitter but hate the removal and would really love it if this can be used on my nails. Does it matter if they are buffed smooth or kinda rough? Thank you sooo much for this info!
ReplyDeleteI haven't used PVA with acrylic nails and I haven't heard of anyone trying it sorry. If your acrylics are smooth then I'd expect it should work. If they are rough the PVA might not come off as easily.
DeleteI heard it works good to put around your nails too for messy designs (like splatters) since you can just rub it off and the excess polish with it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea! :)
DeleteThank you so much for this great tip!
ReplyDelete