Cuticle latex is a manicure aid applied along the cuticle line before nail polish to protect the skin from polish stains. It is especially useful with dark or highly pigmented polishes, for creating ombre nails and for nail stamping, as any excess polish remains on the latex and can be removed in a single step. This allows for precise and neat manicures, even for beginners or those less experienced with nail polish application.
Cuticle latex is usually in liquid form, in a bottle with a brush, and dries quickly upon contact with air to form an elastic, rubber-like film. People allergic to latex should use alternative formulas.