Shiny black nail polish to matte black

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of shiny black nail polish turning matte when exposed to hot steam. Participants explore potential explanations for this change, considering both temporary and permanent effects, as well as the implications of current trends in nail polish finishes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the change from shiny to matte may be due to surface erosion that scatters reflected light.
  • Another participant questions the duration of the effect, proposing that if it is temporary, it could be due to vapor condensing on the nails in tiny droplets.
  • There is a hypothesis that if the effect is long-term, moisture absorption could be causing the polish to expand and lose its gloss, though it remains uncertain whether the gloss would return after drying.
  • A later reply mentions that the trend of matte nails suggests the effect might be permanent, but this is countered by a comment about matte top coats tending to become less matte over time due to wear.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the matte effect is permanent or temporary, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include uncertainty about the permanence of the matte effect and the specific mechanisms at play regarding moisture interaction with the polish.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in cosmetic science, nail care, or the effects of temperature on materials may find this discussion relevant.

Spiderstorm4
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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?
 
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With only that to go on, I'd say surface erosion that scatters the reflected light.
 
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.
 
Last edited:
DaveC426913 said:
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!
 
e.bar.goum said:
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'.
 
DaveC426913 said:
Just glad no one was peering over my shoulder
What makes you think that no one was? :D
 

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