Happy Tuesday! It’s time again for another installment of our ever popular Talk it Out Tuesday series (check out our previous posts on lip balm, preservatives, bath bombs, melt and pour, lotion and colorants). I am super excited about this week’s topic because it is all about my latest crafty obsession…nail polish! Read on to find out more about how to customize your own nail polish and all the fun nail polish-themed products that Bramble Berry carries.
How do I customize my own nail polish?
All you need is a suspending nail polish base, a nail polish bottle, nail polish mixing balls and your favorite colorants. Here’s a quick breakdown in three easy steps:
1. Make sure you are working in a well ventilated area and away from any open flames. Nail polish is extremely flammable (extremely!). Carefully pour the nail polish base into the bottles. Fill it to the shoulder of the bottle (where it bends), or just below the shoulder if adding fragrance. Then, use Bramble Berry’s tiny funnels to add your choice of micas or glitters. NOTE: the funnels do not work to fill the actual polish; it’s too thick. This is a WYSIWYG process – what you see is what you get. Remember, you can always paint a little bit on a piece of paper to make sure you’re happy with the color – or add more later.
2. Once your mica or glitter has been added, place a couple of the nail polish mixing beads into the bottle, then slip in the brush and firmly twist the cap on. You should hear the brush click right into place.
3. Shake well and apply! It really is that easy and there are so many color mixing options.
Is it possible to add fragrance to my nail polish?
You don’t have to add a nail polish mixing ball, but we have found that it was the easiest way to make sure the nail polish base, colorants and fragrance blended properly together. We suggest adding in 1-3 mixing balls depending on your size bottle.
NOTE: If you’d rather mix your base and colorant outside of the glass nail polish bottles, I did find that the nail polish base will melt plastic. I like using a dedicated glass container for that purpose.
Oh no, my nail polish went all chunky, what did I do wrong?
While many of our colorants will work for nail polish, there are some that just clump up and won’t work. Bramble Berry micas and glitters are going to be your best choice in creating a fabulous and funky new color, customized just for you. Here are a list of our tested and true colorants:
Amethyst Purple Mica, Gold (light) Mica, Red Blue Mica, Antique Blue Mica, Heavy Metal Gold, Rose Pearl, Apricot Blush, Honeyed Beige, Blue Cellini, Luster Black, Silver Glitter, Mauvey Gem, Bronze, Merlot Sparkle, Soft Beige, Cappuccino, Sparkle Gold, Cellini Red, Sparkle Violet, Copper Mica, Super Pearly White, Copper Sparkle Mica, Patina Sheen, Coral Mica, Peach Shimmer, Violaceous Violet, Apple Moss Mica, Evergreen Mica, Kelly Green Mica, Kermit Green Mica, Caribbean Blue Mica, Mermaid Blue Mica, Lavender Mica, Zippy Blue Pigment, Stormy Blue Mica, Pewter Silver Mica, Plum Dusk Mica, Queen’s Purple Mica, Orchid Mica, Racing Stripe Orange Mica, Nuclear Orange Pigment, Sunset Orange Mica
If you find another Bramble Berry colorant that works, let us know and we can add it to our list!
NOTE: When ordering the nail polish base, you must agree to the following (as it is considered hazardous):
- You fully understand that this material is considered hazardous and flammable
- You understand that it should not be used near an open flame or spark
- You will only use it in a well ventilated area area
- You assume all responsibility for its safe use and proper storage
- You are at least 18 years of age.
Have any other questions or what to share your experiences with nail polish? We’d love to hear them. Leave us a comment below!
Hi! Can I use LabColors to dye my nail polish? Thanks.
Hi Elena!
We actually tried the LabColors out but because they are water-based they didn’t mix in very well. If you have any micas at home, they are going to be the best to create your own nail polish colors. We even have a few kits that have all the equipment and ingredients in it to make your own.
Bold and Metallic Nail Polish Kit: https://www.brambleberry.com/Bold-and-Metallic-Nail-Polish-Kit-P5488.aspx
Shimmery and Pastel Nail Polish Kit: https://www.brambleberry.com/Shimmery-and-Pastel-Nail-Polish-Kit-P5486.aspx
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Anyone here experimenting with “Holographic Nail Polish”…..I would like some tips if you have any to share…..Thanks,
Hi Kimberlee!
That isn’t a technique we have tried quite yet, but I will definitely pass it on. You can also ask at the Teach Soap Forums to see if any of the crafters there have a technique like the one you are looking for.
Teach Soap Forums: http://www.teachsoap.com/forum/
-Becky with Bramble Berry
How do you get oxides/ultramarines to blend into the base? I tried using micas and an oxide and the oxide was gritty when I went put it on my nails.
Good morning, Fuchia!
For oxides we’ve been experimenting with DPG and Cyclomethicone as a way to blend the colors in with the nail polish base, but we haven’t found that perfect recipe yet. You can also experiment with 99% rubbing alcohol as we did for our Black Oxide and found that it really helped it to blend well. Keep experimenting and let us know if you find something that works better, we’d love to hear it! 🙂
DPG: https://www.brambleberry.com/DPG-P3214.aspx
Cyclomethicone: https://www.brambleberry.com/Cyclomethicone-P4560.aspx
-Becky with Bramble Berry
P.S. We did find that the Cyclomethicone worked a lot better in our neons (Electric Bubble Gum, Fizzy Lemonade, Tangerine Wow!, Fired Up Fuchsia, and Ultraviolet Blue) than any of the oxides. And you won’t want to use 1.5 mL of either the DPG, rubbing alcohol or Cyclomethicone because it will make your nail polish much too watery.
Which Titanium Dioxide would you suggest using to make a creamy non shiny white?
Good morning, Renee!
So far, we haven’t been able to find a quality non-shiny white for the nail polish base yet. The Titanium Dioxide tends to chunk up and not blend with the base as well as we are hoping. But, we are still trying different ideas and will definitely let you know when we figure it out! :)But, you can still use the Super Pearly White if you are looking for a white.
Super Pearly White Mica: https://www.brambleberry.com/Super-Pearly-White-Mica-P3463.aspx
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Have you tried mixing the titanium dioxide with the 99% alcohol prior to adding it to the polish? I’m wondering if it would work as well as it does with oxides..
Good morning, Chelsey!
We did a lot of testing and weren’t really able to find a way for the Titanium Dioxide to be added to the nail polish base without getting too chunky. But, if you find a way for it to work, please let us know — we’d love to hear it. =)
Happy Nail Polish Making!
-Becky with Bramble Berry
The nail polish base you sell isn’t “natural” right? If not, is there a way to make a more “natural” nail polish?
Good morning, Leah.
Unfortunately our nail polish base would not be considered natural, and we haven’t found a quality way to make more ‘natural’ polish. If there was, it probably wouldn’t last on the nails very long. =)
-Becky with Bramble Berry
I was thinking that this project would be a lot of fun for a tween party. As long as proper precautions are taken, would this be safe for 10 year olds? Or are the fumes too much for them?
Hi Kirsten!
Sounds like a blast! As long as there is an adult present and proper ventilation and safety precautions are taken, I don’t think there is going to be any problems. But, I would have you pour the nail polish in the bottles just to be safe, and then the girls can add in their own colors and scents! 🙂
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Have the materials as a kit? Want to know the cost to experiment 🙂
Nevermind… Found it 🙂 Thanks!
There is no way on how to ship it to Puerto Rico?
Hi Sharlene!
We do wish we could ship this to you in Puerto Rico, but unfortunately at this time we are unable to ship this kit outside the lower 48 US States because the suspending nail polish base has an extremely low flashpoint.
-Becky with Bramble Berry
I have a questions regarding the goat milk soaps. When I make them they don’t totally become hard.
What do I need to do to make the soap bars more dense and not stickyish…lol
thank you in advance
Good morning, Joanna!
Are you using our melt and pour base? It sounds like your soaps might be sweating a bit, which is giving it that sticky feeling. Could you tell me a bit more about your process so I can help you troubleshoot? Thanks!
-Becky with Bramble Berry
YEESSS! I was wondering about fragrance! I have a “Fresh Cut Grass” nail polish that I have been saving because I couldn’t find any more. Thank you! 🙂
Fresh Cut Grass would be a fabulous scent for nail polish! You’ll have to post pictures on Bramble Berry’s Facebook page when you get it finished! 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/BrambleBerry
-Becky with Bramble Berry
About how much mica do you need per .5 oz bottle?
Hi Toni!
With the micas, it is a WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) process. Remember, you can always paint a little bit on a piece of paper to make sure you are happy with the color, and then add more colorant if you aren’t happy with it! 🙂
-Becky with Bramble Berry
So exciting! I love fancy nails!
So do we! We can’t wait to see what color and fragrance combinations everyone is going to come up with. 🙂
-Becky with Bramble Berry
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!