Isla Bennett
Doing your own gel nails at home is a convenient and cost-effective alternative to salon manicures. With the right tools and techniques, you can achieve long-lasting, salon-quality results in the comfort of your own home. The process involves prepping your nails, applying a gel base coat, adding colour, and finishing with a protective top coat. While it may take some practice to perfect the application, many people find it a worthwhile investment, saving them time and money. In addition to the financial benefits, doing your own gel nails allows you to customise your manicure with various colours, nail art, and appliques.
Doing Your Own Gel Nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Initial cost of $110-$150 for a kit, with additional costs for extra colours. |
| Time | Takes time to do yourself, but saves time travelling to and from salons. |
| Convenience | Can be done at home, at any time, and on your own schedule. |
| Longevity | Lasts as long as a salon manicure, or longer if done carefully. |
| Removal | Requires acetone, cotton balls/rounds, and aluminium foil, or a gel nail polish remover. |
| Technique | Requires practice and patience, especially when painting with the non-dominant hand. |
| Products | Quality products are important, including a good lamp and reputable brands of gel polish. |
| Nail Preparation | Nails should be cut, shaped, and cleaned before application. |
| Health and Safety | Avoid contact with eyes, keep equipment clean, and don't over-file nails. |
| Nail Art | Various options for nail art, including chrome and iridescent powders, dried flowers, and nail foils. |
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What You'll Learn
Gel nail kits
When choosing a gel nail kit, it is important to consider the quality of the products. While it may be tempting to opt for cheaper options, investing in a reputable brand with high-quality ingredients will yield better results. Look for kits that are known for their quality and safety, such as those that are EU-compliant or cruelty-free.
There are a variety of gel nail kits available on the market, ranging from starter kits to more comprehensive options. Some popular choices include the Le Mini Macaron gel nail kit, which offers both Le Mini and Le Maxi options. These kits include an LED lamp, gel polish, and other essential tools, making them perfect for beginners. Another popular option is the DND Gel Starter Kit, which provides everything you need for high-quality manicures and pedicures.
Additionally, there are gel nail kits available with a wide range of gel polish colours. For example, the JODSONE Gel Nail Polish Kit comes with 32 colours, while the PHOENIXY Gel Nail Polish Kit offers 44 shades. These kits also include essential tools like UV lights, base coats, and top coats, allowing you to create beautiful nail art at home.
Overall, gel nail kits offer a convenient and cost-effective way to achieve salon-quality manicures at home. With a variety of options available, you can find a kit that suits your personal style and needs, whether you're a beginner or an experienced nail artist.
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Removing gel nail polish
Another way is to use acetone, which is the most effective way to remove gel nail polish at home, according to board-certified dermatologist Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, FAAD. To do this, you can use the double-bowl hot water and acetone technique, where you put hot water in a special bowl with a removable bottom and warm the acetone on top. Make sure to use 100% acetone, not nail polish remover, and use a triangle-shaped scraper over the soaked nails to remove the polish. You can also use an electric nail drill at a low speed to remove the top coat and then soak off the rest of the polish with acetone.
Alternatively, Dr. Lipner recommends using plastic food wrap instead of foil when removing gel nail polish with acetone. This creates a tighter seal to prevent dripping. Leave the plastic wrap on for 10 minutes, then remove it and use a wet washcloth to gently rub off any remaining polish. Finally, wash your hands with gentle soap and water to remove the acetone and apply petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the skin around your nails for the next seven days to reduce any irritation.
Another option suggested by Dr. Lipner is to simply let your nails grow out and clip them once a week to remove the gel nail polish. This method helps prevent damage to your nails that can be caused by picking or scraping off the polish.
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Prepping your nails
Cleanse Your Nails
Use rubbing alcohol, a nail cleanser, or nail prep pads to remove any oils, dust, or residue from your nails. This step is crucial, especially if you have applied cuticle remover or washed your hands, as these can leave residual oils on your nail plate. Ensure your nails are clean and dehydrated before applying gel polish.
Soften and Push Back Your Cuticles
Apply a cuticle remover to soften the dead skin around your nails. Then, gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher or a wooden stick. Be careful not to cut or damage your cuticles. Removing dead skin will promote a smooth gel polish application and help prevent lifting.
Shape Your Nails
Trim your nails to your desired length using nail clippers or curved nail clippers. Then, use a nail file to shape your nails to your preferred style, such as square, round, pointed, almond, or oval. File your nails gently and in one direction to prevent splitting and over-filing, which can damage your nails.
Buff Your Nails
Buffing your nails gives the nail bed texture and something for the polish to adhere to. Use a gentle motion and a suitable tool, such as a sanding block or soft file, to buff the entire nail surface. Be careful not to over-buff, as your nails are delicate, and excessive buffing may cause damage.
Apply a Base Coat
Applying a base coat is essential for a gel manicure. It helps the gel polish stick better to your nail plate and prevents the polish from staining your natural nails. Choose a reputable brand specifically designed for gel nail polishes.
Additional Tips
- Use high-quality products: Invest in good-quality gel polishes and equipment to ensure better results and avoid safety issues.
- Follow instructions: Each brand of gel polish and UV/LED lamp has its own instructions, so read and follow them carefully for the best outcomes.
- Practice: It is recommended to practice painting your nails with regular nail polish using your non-dominant hand before attempting gel nails.
- Cuticle care: Cuticle oil can strengthen and add flexibility to your nails, reducing the chances of breakage and promoting healthier nail growth.
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Nail art
Chrome and Iridescent Powders
For a sleek and modern look, try using chrome or iridescent nail powders. These powders can be applied over your gel polish to create a metallic or holographic effect. You can find these powders in a variety of colours, such as the AIMEILI 6 Boxes Nail Art Manicure Powder Set and the Allstarry Iridescent Nail Powder for Gel Polish, both available on Amazon.
Dried Flowers and 3D Decorations
For a more whimsical and romantic look, consider using dried flowers or 3D nail decorations. These delicate accents can be embedded into your gel polish to create a unique and eye-catching manicure. You can find dried flower accessories and 3D nail art decorations online or at your local craft store.
Dotting Tools and Nail Foils
Dotting tools, such as the Restly 5 Nail Art Dotting Tools, are a great way to create precise and intricate designs on your nails. You can use them to apply different colours, create dots, lines, and other patterns. Nail foils, like the Mix Color Transfer Foil Nail Art, are also a fun way to add some sparkle and shine to your manicure.
Striping Brushes and Nail Art Pens
Builder Gels
Builder gels are a great way to add length and strength to your nails, providing a perfect canvas for your nail art. Clear builder gels, such as 'Clarity' by Luminary Nail Systems, create a natural look, while milky white builder gels like 'Presence' by the same brand offer a soft, translucent base for nail art designs such as milk bath nails or glazed donut nails.
Practice and Experimentation
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Recommended products
The products you will need for a gel manicure at home include a nail file, gel polish remover, base coat, top coat, cuticle oil, and a UV lamp.
It is important to invest in quality products to achieve the best results. While you can use any brand for the base and top coats, S&L gel base and top coats are recommended for optimal results. The top coat is especially important as it forms a protective coating over your nails, preventing chips and scratches.
For the gel polish, OPI is a popular brand, although it can be hard to find as it is usually sold to salons or licensed individuals. Other recommended brands include Gelish, which offers a complete starter kit with two colours included, and Apres, which offers a kit with an LED lamp. Madam Glam is another gel polish brand that has received good reviews.
If you are looking for an easier option, you can try gel nail strips, such as the Kiss Kit, which can be found at most drugstores and offer a long-lasting, glue-based application.
To remove gel polish, you can use either a gel nail polish remover or acetone. While acetone requires more supplies and takes longer, it is one of the best nail polish removers due to its high-solvent nature.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a gel base coat, a gel nail polish colour of your choice, and a gel top coat. You will also need a UV/LED lamp to cure the gel. Other useful tools include nail clippers, a cuticle pusher, and a nail file.
It is recommended to use a reputable brand of gel polish that is known for its quality and safety, such as S&L, OPI, or Gelish.
There are two ways to remove gel nail polish at home: using a gel nail polish remover or the traditional way of using acetone. Using a gel polish remover is faster and requires fewer supplies. To remove gel polish with acetone, you will need rubbing alcohol, cotton balls or rounds, and aluminium foil.
The cost of doing your own gel nails can vary depending on the brand and quality of the products you choose. A starter kit with a lamp, base coat, top coat, and a few colours can range from $110 to $150.
