FAQs
What’s the difference between Nail Deck, Light Lacquer and Aquajellie?
Essentially, they are split into 3 brands (and 3 different websites) because they are 3 very different formulae:
1. Nail Deck - Classic Nail Polish Formula that does not require a UV lamp and is removed by nail polish remover (acetone)
2. Light Lacquer - Gel-type formula that requires a UV lamp to cure(dry) and is removed by peeling off. No nail polish remover is required.
3. Aquajellie - Similar to classic nail polish formula but odourless (the trade-off is that it doesn’t last as long as classic nail polish). No UV lamp is required and no nail polish remover(acetone) is required too as it is removed by peeling off.
How do I apply Aquajellie?
If you’ve already been painting your nails with regular polish all this time, you don’t have to do anything different! But here are just some tips to help you out:
Start with clean dry nails. Remove oil and dirt with a nice soapy hand wash as oil and other particles on your nail bed inhibits the lacquer from adhering smoothly to your nail bed. Alternatively if you have alcohol wipes or nail polish remover you can also use those to clean off any excess oil or dirt on your nails. In addition, do not apply any cuticle oil or hand cream on your hands and nails before applying your lacquer as the oils would once again inhibit the smooth adhesion of Aquajellie.
Apply two thin coats rather than one thick coat. While it might save time to just do one thick coat, it will affect the longevity of your Aquajellie manicure. Do also ensure the first coat is dried properly before applying the second coat. Thinner coats also help prevent air bubbles from getting trapped between the lacquer and the nail bed.
End your application by capping the free edge - meaning when you apply the lacquer, don’t stop just before the tip, but instead make sure you go over the edge of your tip to cover the tips too. This will help to prevent chipping.
IMPORTANT: do not apply any other gel or regular polish base coat on your nail bed before your apply Aquajellie. Doing so will will negate the peel-able properties of Aquajellie and will cause damage to your nail bed when you attempt to peel off the lacquer layer.
Why does my Aquajellie manicure seem to peel off more easily than others?
Most common reasons for this is either (1) nail bed was not cleaned properly before application; and/or (2) lacquer layer application was too thick. Please refer to the previous FAQ “How do I apply Aquajellie?”.
I’ve followed your advice but my manicure still doesn’t seem to last. What should I do?
There is one more thing you can try; but we don't always recommend it as sometimes it works 'too well'. So you can also try buffing the surface of your nails to roughen the surface. This will allow the lacquer to adhere better. BUT please beware - this may work too well in the sense that when you want to peel off your lacquer layer, it might peel off some of the top surface layer of your nail bed as well...
So it's more of a last resort. Although If you do try this method and find that it's hard to peel off; you could still remove Aquajellie by using nail polish remover.
(Although we are proponents of not having to use nail polish remover to remove, in such a case it might be the lesser of two evils.)
I’ve used different Aquajellie colours and find that some colours peel more easily than others. Why is that?
White based and neutral colours tend to come off a bit more easily than other colours because of the concentration of white base lacquer (white pigment is very “heavy” and viscous). For such colours with a high white percentage base, aim to apply the lacquer layer in two very very thin layers - thin to the point that the first layer just barely covers your nails (the second layer should still cover it nicely though!)
Do I need to use a top/base coat ?
No you do not need any top or base coat :)
Can I apply a top/base coat from a different brand?
Essentially, our peel-off formulation only works if the Aquajellie nail polish is the base layer; so we do not recommend using another brand’s base coat unless it is a peel-off formulation as well.
If you would like to apply a top coat from a different brand to add on a glossier finish, we see no issue in that :) In fact, we’ve had some customers also use our Premium Clear Gloss from our sister brand Light Lacquer!
How long does Aquajellie take to dry?
Aquajellie’s quick dry formula takes 30-45 seconds to touch-dry (meaning the top most layer is dry and resistant to light knocks); and about 5 minutes to be completely dry.
Is Aquajellie pregnancy safe?
In general, the common chemicals that are of concern for pregnant ladies are Formaldehyde, Toluene and Phthalates; and being 9-free, our formula does not include any of these chemicals. We literally only have 4 ingredients in our formula, making us one of the cleanest brands on the market! Check out our formulae!
Is Aquajellie safe for kids?
In general, the cause of concern for pregnant ladies are the same for kids. Please see previous FAQ above.
How do I peel off Aquajellie (so nicely)?
There’s no need to soak your nails in harsh acetone or do any damaging scraping of the nails because you just peel it off! We recommend starting from the base near the cuticle, then go along the sides of your nails, before peeling off the whole surface off from left to right (or right to left)!
I’m having difficulty peeling off my Aquajellie. What should I do?
Everyone’s nails are born differently from each other and the nail bed has micropores that allows natural body oils to be emitted. This is why some people’s nails are naturally more oily (or more dry) depending on your body pores and oil production. As such, nails that are naturally more oily would mean that the lacquer layers won’t last as long as the oils interfere with the adhesion of the lacquer on the nails (and vice versa - nails that are naturally more dry would last longer but be harder to remove).
Anyway if you’re facing some difficulty peeling it off naturally, soak your hands or feet in warm water for 5-10 minutes. After that, apply cuticle oil (or any oil or lotion in general) on the surface and sides of your nails while gently lifting the edges of the layer to let the oil seep in. Leave for a while and let the oil do the work. The oil reacts with the adhesives and weakens the bonds making it easier to remove!
Why can’t I peel off Aquajellie in one nice solid piece?
The trick to peeling it off nicely in one nice solid piece is to apply 2-4 thin coats of Aquajellie on your nails! The thicker the layer, the easier it is to peel it off in one piece.
I’ve noticed that it’s harder to peel off Aquajellie when it’s on my toes compared to my fingers. Why is that so?
Our toes tend to be rougher due to the additional stress placed on it; and it’s also usually less waxy than our fingers. Rougher and less waxy means that the Aquajellie adheres on better and this makes it harder to peel off.
If I want to, can I just use nail polish remover to remove?
Yes you can! However please take note that when you use nail polish remover, the solvents in the remover may ‘disintegrate’ the colour pigments into very fine micro pigments which in turn may allow it to enter the tiny pores on your nail beds causing it to be colour stained.
I’ve noticed that my Aquajellie manicure seems fine at the start but after a while it starts to look wrinkly or wavy or have bubbles emerge. Why is that?
The reason for this is because the applied Aquajellie layer was too thick, and the bottom parts nearest to the nail bed is not dried properly. And if the top most layer is completely dried, the bottom layers may remain ‘wet’ making the manicure look wrinkly or wavy. Sometimes air gets trapped in the bottom layers too resulting in air bubbles emerging under the layer.
The recommendation in this case is simply to apply thinner coats! Please see our FAQ above ‘How do I apply Aquajellie’ for more tips.
I’ve noticed that if I don’t touch my bottle for a period of time, a layer of what looks like oil seems to be floating at the top. Is this normal?
Yes don’t worry this is normal! It’s just a mild separation of one of our ingredients that floats to the surface when it’s been stationary for a period of time. The colours themselves won’t be affected and you just have to give your bottle a good shake before opening the bottle and using your Aquajellie!
How long will Aquajellie last on my nails?
As a formula that allows you to peel it off cleanly, it will undoubtedly not last as long as a classic nail polish. However, we have tested it ourselves to ensure it should stay on your nails for at least 3-5 days until you want to peel it off. Individual results may vary depending on your daily activities that require the use of your hands and nails.
What is the shelf-life for Aquajellie?
There is no shelf life per se, but we recommend it to be used within 24 months from opening. Sometimes the formula may become sticky and harder to use if:
the cap is not closed tightly after use
the cap is left off the bottle for a long period of time and the formula comes in contact with dust and other contaminants
the bottle is left in direct sunlight or strong heat
Will Aquajellie damage my nails if I peel it off?
Full disclaimer: all nail products would damage your nails to some extent. But Aquajellie is significantly less harsh on your nails because it is a peel-off formula so it is less adhesive than normal nail polish. Just peel it off and you’re good to go for another round! Perfect for a quick fix or a quick colour change.