Yep. I remember using nail polish on the chiggers at Camp Geiger during Infantry Training School. As far as ticks go, I just pinch down into my skin as far as I can and just pull them off. Usually the head comes out.
The best way to remove embedded ticks is to heat a needle and put it near the back end of the tick. This allows the tick to back out of your skin on its own so you don’t just pull out part of it while it’s head is still inside you.