Shiny black nail polish to matte black

[Spiderstorm4]

If you polish your nails black and then hold them over hot steam they turn from shiny black to matte black. Why do you guys think it does that?

 

[enorbet]

With only that to go on, I'd say surface erosion that scatters the reflected light.

 

[DaveC426913]

How long does the effect last? Is it permanent?

If temporary, then all that's happening is vapour is condensing on your mails in tiny droplets.

If long-term, I would posit that your mails are absorbing moisture (and possibly the polish as well), causing them to expand, and destroying the mirror polish. I'm not sure whether - once the moisture off-gasses and returns to dry - the gloss would return.

[EDIT]

A bit of Googling indicates that matte nails are a big trend these days. That suggests the effect is permanent (or it would be useless).

So, yes, steam heats the polish and then mixes moisture with it (the words 'bubble-up' and 'smudge' were invoked), interferes with the glossiness that you get when first laying down the polish and letting it dry.

 

[e.bar.goum]

A bit of Googling indicates that matte nails are a big trend these days. That suggests the effect is permanent (or it would be useless).

I don't know. Matte top coat tends to go shiny (well, less matte) after a few days due to wear.

Comments I never thought I'd make on PF!

 

[DaveC426913]

Comments I never thought I'd make on PF!

You'n'me both! :w

Just glad no one was peering over my shoulder while I browsed the WikiHow '47 ways to apply nail-polish for that sexy look'.

 

[Danger]

Just glad no one was peering over my shoulder

What makes you think that no one was? :D