How to Make Your Nail Polish Matte

Last Updated: September 14, 2020 Tested

Most nail polishes will give your nails a glossy finish. It is very fashionable these days to have a matte or non-shiny nail color. Some nail polish companies make products with a matte finish, but these can be expensive. There are other methods you can use at home to create a matte finish cheaply, such as using steam or cornstarch.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Cornstarch to Create a Matte Finish

1
Apply a bottom coat of polish to your nails. ^{[1]
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- Apply this coat as a very thin coat.
- Remember to buff and file your nails before applying any polish.
- Clean each nail with a cotton pad wetted with nail polish remover to clean the nail.
- Allow your bottom coat to dry.
2
Get a piece of foil or wax paper. Put a few drops of nail polish on it.
- Obtain a toothpick and a box of cornstarch.
- Take a very small amount of cornstarch and mix it into the nail polish.
- Do this quickly, as the nail polish will dry out.
- The nail polish will be thicker than normal but this is ok.
- Make sure the polish isn't too thick or it won't spread on the nail properly.
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3
Use a clean nail brush to paint your nails with the mixed polish. Do this as you normally would.
- Remember to start at your cuticle.
- Paint your nails in three stripes: one in the center and one on each side.
- Leave a small gap around the nail for a professional finish.
4
Allow the polish to dry completely. Once the polish is dry, you will end up with a matte, non-glossy finish.
- Remember not to blow on your nail polish or move your hands.
- Dry your polish with your hand flat and fingers spread.
- You shouldn't put a top coat on this polish, as it will give your nails a glossy look.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using A Matte Finish Polish

1
Buy a matte nail polish. These are more expensive than regular nail polishes. ^{[2]
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- Brands like OPI, Essie, and Revlon make nail polishes with a matte finish.
- If you can't find these, Sally Hansen offers a matte topcoat that you can use over regular polish to achieve this look.
- Try shopping at a beauty store like Ulta or Sephora to find the most variety in colors and brands in matte nail polish.
2
Use a nail buffer and file before you paint your nails. This will even out the surface and shape your nails for the best look. ^{[3]
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- Hold the nail file at a 45 degree angle as you shape the top edge of your nails.
- Mirror the shape of your cuticles for a natural curved shape to your nails.
- Buff the surface of your nails to get rid of any imperfects and to even out the surface.
- Any ridges or dents in your nail will show when you put matte polish on them.
3
Swipe a cotton ball wetted with remover over your nail. Wipe this over your entire nail.^{[4]
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- Push this into the cuticle area and side walls of the nail.
- This will remove any dirt and debris that are on the nail.
- This also will remove natural oils from your nail that can serve as barrier for polish to stick.
- Let your nails dry. This should only take a couple of seconds.
4
Paint your nails with a clear bottom coat. Many nail polishes have a bottom coat built in. ^{[5]
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- Check the label of your nail polish to see if this is the case.
- If not, apply a thin bottom coat to each nail.
- Do your dominant hand with your non-dominant hand, starting at the pinky and working towards the thumb. This allows you to paint your nails without risk of touching and smudging.
5
Paint the color. Start by wiping off any excess polish on the brush off on the lip of the nail polish bottle.^{[6]
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- Place the brush close to the cuticle, then push back further without touching the skin.
- Paint each nail in three strokes: one in the middle, one on each side.
- Leave a small gap around the edges of your nail for a professional finish.
6
Clean up your paint job. Dip a Q-tip into nail polish remover.^{[7]
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- Correct any mistakes, wiping the wetted Q-tip over any messy areas.
- Give your nails a last look to make sure you have cleaned up all mistakes.
- Let the polish dry for at least 2 minutes.
7
Apply a topcoat. If you are using matte nail paint, you might not need a topcoat.^{[8]
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- If you are using regular nail polish, try a matte top coat such as Sally Hansen.
- Apply this in the same way you did the color.
- Let the topcoat dry completely.
- Don't blow on the nail polish or flap your hands. Allow the polish to dry with your hands flat and fingers spread out.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Steam to Create A Matte Finish

1
Paint your nails with regular nail polish. Start by filing and buffing your nails then cleaning each nail.^{[9]
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- Apply a bottom coat and allow this to dry.
- Apply the color coat, taking care not to put the color on too thick.
- Correct any mistakes with a Q-tip wetted with nail polish remover.
- Let your nails dry completely.
2
Pour some water into a pan. Put this on the stove over high heat. ^{[10]
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- Bring the pan to a full boil.
- Make sure the pan is creating a lot of steam.
- The steam will help to make the finish of your nail polish look matte.
3
Place your hand above the steam. You will need to expose all parts of each nail to the steam. ^{[11]
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- Usually you need to just hold each hand over the steam for 3-5 seconds.
- Be careful not to hold your hand too close to the pot or you can get steam burns.
- Move your hand through the steam slowly to make sure all parts of your nails are hit by the steam.
- Check your polish. If should look matte. If there are parts which are still glossy, hold your hand over the steam for another 3-5 seconds.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I use flour instead of cornstarch?

Community Answer

Yes. A fine flour or any translucent powder will create a matte look.
Question

Do I remove this like normal nail polish, and if so, will it be easier or more difficult?

Community Answer

You would remove matte nail polish the same way you would remove regular nail polish. It will come off in the same way, so it won't be any easier or more difficult. The only exception to this is if you used glitter nail polish, which is a hassle to remove--even if you made it glossy.
Question

Can I use baking soda instead of cornstarch?

Community Answer

Yes, using baking soda will also make your nail polish matte.