Nail polish thinner is different than remover. It is most commonly used to restore old bottles of nail polish to their old consistency. Cardboard is recommended because other materials, like paper towels, will leave lint on the brush.

If you don’t have any nail polish remover handy, you can use rubbing alcohol instead. [2] X Expert Source Kristin PulaskiSalon Owner & Nail Specialist Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.

If you don’t wipe the excess remover off of your brush, you’ll end up taking your manicure off along with the polish around your nails.

If you polish is water based, letting them soak for 5 or more minutes will peel the color off of your nails. If you don’t have time to soak your nails, this can easily be done in your shower.

Go as wide as you deem necessary. If you’re typically a very messy painter, make a wide ring around your nail with glue.

Don’t purposely make more of a mess than you normally would; you’ll just end up wasting nail polish.