How To Whiten Yellow Nails

No matter how consistent you are about using a base coat, if you have an affinity for red or dark nail polish, at some point it will happen to you: stained nails. Whether they’re stained a lacquer-specific color or they have that unfortunate yellow tinge that polish addicts know far too well—it definitely isn’t pretty.

Luckily, the solution is an easy one, and the three ingredients you need are probably already in your kitchen. Gather up these simple items and bring your tired, stained nails back to life in just a few minutes.

-1 tablespoon baking soda

-1/2 teaspoon olive oil

-A few squeezes of lemon juice

Measurements are approximate—add the wet to the dry until you’re happy with the consistency.

Combine the ingredients in a small bowl or cup (warning: the lemon and baking soda will have a small volcano-like reaction, but it’ll settle down quickly!). Rub the mixture onto your hands and nails (try using a soft toothbrush on your nails for extra scrubbing power). Leave the mixture on for about five minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water.

How does it work, you ask? Baking soda acts as a fine exfoliant while the lemon juice is a natural acidic lightener (you can also use it to highlight your hair in the summer). Olive oil is a foolproof beauty cure-all and will bring much-needed moisture back into your nails and cuticles—especially important for those of us with weak or brittle nails.

Now you’re ready to show off your bare nails with pride, or get started on your next colorful manicure. Bright red polish, anyone?

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