Polish thinner is a liquid added a few drops at a time to nail polish that has thickened in the bottle, so it flows and levels again; gel polish needs a gel thinner instead. M1 Nail & Beauty Supply stocks lacquer thinners, gel polish thinners and an airbrush thinner from BeBeauty, SuperNail, La Palm, ONME, Cre8tion and DND.
Types of polish thinner
| Type | Best for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Lacquer thinner | Regular nail polish and lacquer top coats that have turned thick or stringy. | BeBeauty Nail Polish Thinner 16oz, SuperNail Thinner 1 fl oz, SuperNail Thinner 4 fl oz, ONME Polish Thinner 30mL, La Palm Polish Thinner All In One |
| Gel polish thinner | UV/LED gel polish or gel that has thickened in storage. | Cre8tion Gel Thinner 50mL, DND Booster Gel Thinner 16oz, BeBeauty GelPolish Thinner 16oz, BeBeauty GelPolish Thinner 1 gallon |
How to choose a polish thinner
- Match the thinner to the product. Lacquer thinner is for air-dry polish; gel polish needs a gel thinner such as Cre8tion Gel Thinner, which Cre8tion says does not change cure time.
- One thinner for many air-dry products. La Palm describes its All In One thinner as working with nail polish, base coat, top coat, UV top coat and airbrush top coat.
- Airbrush colours have their own BeBeauty AirBrush Thinner 16oz, for airbrush colour and airbrush top coat.
Related: Lacquer, Lacquer top coat, Gel colours, Airbrush, Polish remover
Polish thinner FAQ
Can I use regular polish thinner in gel polish?
No. Lacquer thinner is made for air-dry polish; SuperNail, for example, labels its thinner for regular nail lacquer and not for gel polish. For gel, use a gel thinner such as Cre8tion Gel Thinner, DND Booster Gel Thinner or BeBeauty GelPolish Thinner.
Why use thinner instead of polish remover?
Thinner replaces the solvent that evaporated, so the polish goes back to its original consistency. Remover is made to break polish down, so adding it to a bottle changes the formula and how the polish dries and wears.
How much thinner should I add to a bottle of polish?
Start with a drop or two, close the bottle and roll it between your palms, then test the brush. Add more one drop at a time only if it still drags. Too much thinner makes polish runny and sheer.
Order online for in-store pickup at our Markham, Ontario store, usually ready in 2 to 4 hours, or have your order shipped anywhere in Canada.