When you apply gel nails, you get the strength of artificial nails with the look of natural nails. When you apply gel nails, you do not encounter the harsh fumes that you get when you apply acrylics. Under UV light, the gel hardens. Each layer must solidify for two to three minutes under this light. This forms a chemical connection between the gel and your nail.
Prepare tools to learn how to do gel polish at home
Gel polish will help your nails to have the same durability as using acrylic paint while still looking very natural. Moreover, when applying gel nail polish, you will avoid the strong smell of acrylic paint. That’s why many people prefer gel polish nowadays. To get started on how to do gel polish at home, you need to prepare some of the following necessary tools:
The basic gel polish set includes: primer, gel polish, top coat polish, then choose the color you like the most. Here are some tips on choosing the paint color that we want to show you in order to have the right color: with neutral skin color (light skin color or yellow skin), it is quite easy to choose because it suits most paint colors, but if you have dark skin, you should choose colors in light tones.
Nail file and nail clippers
Nail file, clippers are essential steps in performing a DIY manicure. Most of the time, the surface of your nails isn’t smooth enough to go without one. A nail file’s aim is to prepare your nails to adhere to gel polish not just adequately, but also for a longer period of time. Nail clippers are used for trimming your nails in order that you can get proper nail shape.
Q-tips, gel polish remover or acetone to clean excess polish
In the process of getting your nails done at home, you may have some unexpected problems such as having excess polish on your skin. So Q-tips and acetone are good solutions for these.
UV lamp to dry paint
You will be unable to cure your gel nails without a curing lamp that produces UV radiation. It is possible to cure your DIY gel paint manicure naturally by sunning your nails and taking advantage of the sun’s UV rays, but it is not the most efficient technique because you would have to wait for the weather to be favorable. In this case, a UV lamp or LED curing lamp is the best option. However, we recommend using an LED curing lamp because it emits less UV light and dries the gel polish the fastest.
Now let’s start with the gel polish process.
We believe that after reading this article, you will understand how to have the very standard, beautiful gel polish that is no different from going to get your nails done in a salon.
Step 1: Cut excess cuticle
First of all, in order to have the most beautiful nails, we need to cut the excess skin around the nails, this helps the paint not to be easily smeared out, but also helps the nails to be neater and more beautiful. You can use a cuticle stick to push any skin away from your nail plate.
However, if you do it yourself, it will be a bit difficult, you can ask someone else to help cut the cuticle, or your hands do not have too much excess skin, you can skip this step. Be careful not to bleed when pushing and trimming it.
Step 2: File and shape your nails
Before cutting your nails, decide how you want to shape the nail. Trim the regular nail style and then file the tip. Finally, complete the styling by smoothing the nail surface with a polishing tool or nail file. You can also create round, square, pointed, almond or oval nails. Here is our instruction about how to file and shape your nails properly.
Step 3: Apply a layer of primer on the nail surface
This is an important step to help protect the nail and create a better bond with the gel polish. You know, nail polish often contains chemicals, this step will help protect nails from the chemicals from gel paint.
Before proceeding, you often shake the primer paint bottle well, then take a little of it and apply a thin layer on your fingers. Apply your base coat in a very thin layer to your nails. Gel is applied in a much thinner layer than regular nail polish. When applying your base layer, take care not to get the gel on your fingertips.
Allow your base layer to dry under the UV lamps for 20-30 seconds, twice as long as the manufacturer recommends. This is enough for the primer to dry.
Step 4: Paint 2 thin layers of color
When the base paint is completely dry, let’s start painting. Just like the base paint, before painting, shake the bottle of gel polish of the color you chose previously. 2 thin layers of the color gel should be applied. It will most likely appear streaky, but this is typical for the initial layer. Make careful to paint over the tip of your nail as well as the surface with these colorful layers. This prevents the gel from curling back off your nail.
Step 5: Paint the top coat
Applying the top coat guarantees that the cover you’re about to apply preserves all of your nail work. While gently sealing your nail tips, apply a small coating of the top coat over the colored gel paint. It’s a simple tip for extending the life of your nail polish. After that, smooth the layer over and cure using the LED cure lamp you previously used.
Step 6: Take off the tacky.
After curing the top gel, some gel techniques leave a tacky, sticky coating on and around your nails. If this is the case, just wipe the tacky using a cotton ball soaked in acetone or nail remover. To finish your gel manicure, massage a cuticle oil into the area at the base of your nail. If your gel nails get dull after a few days, use a buffer to smooth out the top layer of clear coat, then clean your nails and reapply another clear top coat to restore the shine.
How to remove gel nails after
Step 1: Remove the top layer using a file.
To remove your gel nails, first file away the top layer of the gel. This will dull the sheen. Only once the shine has been gone can you proceed with removing the gel.
- Avoid removing the polish off your nails. This might remove layers of your nail, leaving them brittle and dry.
Step 2: Soak your cotton ball in acetone or nail remover solution
If you do not use acetone or nail remover, the gel will not come off. Acetone is classified into two types: normal-concentration acetone and super-concentrated acetone. We’re talking about the ultra-concentrated version here. Take ten cotton balls and soak them in acetone. Cotton balls should be large enough to cover the entire nail.
- Because acetone is a strong chemical, use caution while working with it. Also, bear in mind that acetone is highly drying to your nails, so they may get brittle as a result. The obvious disadvantage of this method is that your skin might get red, dry, and damaged more readily than with normal acetone, at the price of time.
- If speed is important, 100 percent acetone is the best option since it dissolves gel nail polish in half the time of ordinary acetone nail paint remover.
Step 3: Wrap a piece of tin foil over your fingertips.
Place one of the cotton balls on your nail, covering it completely. Wrap the nail and the tip of your finger with tin foil while the cotton ball is still in place. Apply this to the rest of your nails.
- It is best to perform this with one hand at a time. Wrapping the second hand with foil-covered fingers is quite tough.
Step 4: Remain them for a few minutes before removing one at a time.
Allow the foil to remain wrapped for 15 minutes. Keep it tight and don’t try to open it to see whether it’s functioning. Remove the wrapping one nail at a time after 15 minutes. The gel will have begun to flake away. Push the gel off your nail using a cuticle stick.
- If you can’t get rid of the gel, just by using the cuticle stick or re-wrap your nails with an acetone-soaked cotton ball and foil. Allow for another 15 minutes before attempting again.
Step 5: Finally, apply cuticle oil.
You should finish with cuticle oil once more. Cuticle oil should be massaged into the area surrounding the base of your nails.
Apply cuticle oil to the surface of your nails and buff them with a nail buffer if they are tough.
Frequently asked question about how to do gel nails at home
Q: Do I lightly rub to remove the sticky coating of gel builder between layers of gel?
A: You do not need to remove the gel polish before applying the top coat. You should only remove it once you’ve done the manicure and applied the coating.
Q: How long do gel nails last?
A: They should stay on for around three weeks, depending on the quality of the labor put into the nails or the quality of the materials utilized. Some gel nails can last up to three weeks, but you can’t really guarantee more than two. It also depends on the length of your nails and what you do on a daily basis, such as cleaning or dishwashing, whether they chip or peel off.
Summary
Doing gel nails at home is similar to going to a nail salon. As long as you have the proper equipment and the patience to learn, you should have a good time doing this.
Because each step we stated is critical, you should complete all of them without missing any of them. Once again, the greatest gel polish shines through. We have fantastic alternatives for your at-home gel nail manicure, so don’t forget to check out our gel polish collections.
We hope that you find this article helpful and you can follow the tutorial about how to do gel nails at home quick and easy.
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