Ava Monroe
There are several products on the market that claim to turn regular nail polish into gel polish, such as Gelibility, Hydracol XOX Gel Nail Polish, and FZANEST Rubber Base Gel Polish. These products typically involve mixing equal parts of the regular nail polish of your choice with the gel formula, then applying and curing the mixture with a UV, LED, or CCFL lamp. While some people appreciate the ability to use their existing nail polishes as gel manicures, professionals advise against mixing regular lacquer with gel varnish due to the potential for nail damage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility | Yes, it is possible to turn regular nail polish into gel polish |
| Method | Mix regular nail polish with a gel polish converter like Gelibility or Hydracol XOX Gel Nail Polish |
| Ratio | 50/50 |
| Application | Apply a thin coat of the mixture to the nails and cure in a UV, LED or CCFL lamp. Apply a second coat and cure again |
| Benefits | Unlimited colors, no drying time, long-lasting, strong, shiny, durable, no chipping, cost-effective |
| Risks | Damage to nails, DNA damage to cells from UV light |
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What You'll Learn
Using builder gel to strengthen nails
It is possible to convert regular nail polish into gel polish. One way to do this is by using a product such as Gelibility, which allows you to create custom gel colours using any regular nail polish. To do this, you mix equal amounts of Gelibility Fix It! gel and your chosen nail polish, and then apply this mixture to your nails, curing it with a UV, LED or CCFL lamp.
Now, onto using builder gel to strengthen nails. Builder gel is a type of gel polish that, when applied correctly, can give your nails extra strength and protection. It is particularly useful if you are a nail-biter or have weak, bendy, or brittle nails that break easily. The gel is applied in small, horizontal strokes to build up and strengthen the apex of your nail, which is the highest point on your nail bed. This process can help your nails grow longer and stronger, and it can also be used to create nail extensions.
There are different types of builder gels available, including semi-hard and hard gels. Semi-hard gels provide more flexibility, allowing your nails to bend and flex without breaking. Hard gels, on the other hand, do not flex and may pop off if applied to bendy nails. Therefore, it is important to assess the condition of your nails before choosing the type of builder gel to use.
One popular brand of builder gel is Kokoist, which offers base gels that can be used as builder gels to create an apex and give your nails strength. The Megastick Base Coat by Kokoist is a soft gel that is recommended for those with super weak and bendy nails. For stronger nails, you can use the Kokoist x Nail Thoughts Base Gels, which serve as a base gel, builder gel, and colour (if tinted) all in one product.
When applying builder gel, it is important to follow the correct process to ensure it adheres properly to your nails. Additionally, be mindful that removing builder gel requires soaking your nails in acetone, which can be drying and damaging to your nails. It is recommended to give your nails a break between applications to allow them to breathe and recover.
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The Gelibility method
To start, you will need the Gelibility Stick It! base coat and the Fix It! gel polish. These two products work together to transform your regular nail polish into a gel polish. The Stick It! base coat acts as a universal gel polish base, providing a strong and shiny foundation for your gel manicure. It is acid-free and can be used with other gel polish brands, offering versatility and a reliable base for your nail art.
The Fix It! gel polish is the key to converting your regular nail polish into a gel formula. It is designed to be mixed with your chosen regular nail polish, turning it into a gel-like consistency. The mixing ratio is important to ensure the desired colour and consistency. You can experiment with different ratios, but a common approach is to use two parts nail polish to one part Fix It! gel. This ensures that the colour remains vibrant while providing enough gel polish for the desired gel-like finish.
The mixing process is straightforward. You will need a palette or a small dish, along with a separate brush for mixing. Place equal amounts of your chosen regular nail polish and Gelibility Fix It! gel on the palette. Use the brush to mix the two together thoroughly. It is important to avoid mixing too vigorously to prevent air bubbles from forming in the mixture. Once mixed, you can apply the gel polish using the brush from your regular nail polish, being sure to wipe off the brush with a lint-free wipe or tissue before placing it back into the bottle.
After application, cure your nails under a UV, LED, or CCFL light for the recommended time. This will vary depending on the light source, with LED lights typically requiring 60 seconds and UV lights requiring 120 seconds. The gel polish will dry quickly, providing a strong, shiny, and long-lasting manicure that can last for up to two to three weeks without chipping.
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The Hydracol XOX Gel method
To use the Hydracol XOX Gel method, you need to mix equal amounts of Hydracol with any regular nail polish of your choice. It is important to note that the ratio of polish to gel transformer should not exceed a 50/50 mix. Once you have mixed the two together, you can apply it to your nails just like regular nail polish.
The Hydracol XOX Gel polish can be removed just like regular gel polish by soaking it off. The formula contains a hydrator, which makes it easier to remove than most gels.
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The “Gelly sandwich” method
The "Gelly sandwich" method involves using regular nail polish between layers of gel polish. This technique is easy to do and saves you from having to buy expensive gel polishes. It gives you a lot more choice, as you can use any polish you like, without having to stick to the range of gel colours.
To achieve this look, start by buffing all shine off your natural nails. Then, file them to your preferred shape and use nail surface cleansing to remove any dust and dirt. Next, apply a gel base coat, cure it under a UV or LED lamp, and then apply your regular nail polish. It is important to ensure that your nails are completely dry before moving on to the next step. Once your regular nail polish is dry, apply a gel top coat and cure it again.
The "Gelly sandwich" method is also much quicker to remove than a full gel manicure. While you will still need to soak your nails to get through the gel layers, it will not take as long, allowing you to switch colours more often. This method also helps your manicure to last longer, with some users reporting chip-free nails for at least a week.
However, one downside of the "Gelly sandwich" method is the time it takes for the regular polish to dry. It is important to ensure that your regular polish is completely dry before applying the gel top coat, otherwise, it may become a sticky mess. Additionally, some users have reported issues with the regular nail polish repelling the gel base coat, resulting in an "oil and water" effect. This can be avoided by wiping off any tackiness from the gel base coat before applying the regular nail polish.
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The risks of combining gel and regular nail polish
Combining gel and regular nail polish can be done, and there are products on the market that allow you to do so, such as Gelibility and Hydracol XOX Gel Nail Polish. However, there are risks to combining the two.
Firstly, there is a risk of nail damage. Regular nail varnish takes about 24 hours to become completely dry. It might become dry to the touch before that time, but it will still be vulnerable to dents and creasing. On the other hand, gel polish dries within 30-60 seconds and takes on a much harder consistency. If you apply a gel top coat over wet regular nail polish, your nail polish will shrink and crease.
Secondly, the curing process of gel manicures involves UV exposure, which increases UV-induced skin damage and the risk of skin cancer.
Thirdly, there are a lot of chemicals in gel nail polish that can be harmful to your hands.
Finally, if you decide to remove your gel manicure, it is best to have it removed by a manicurist. Peeling it off yourself is one of the worst things you can do for your nails.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. Products like Gelibility, Hydracol XOX Gel Nail Polish, and FZANEST Rubber Base Gel Polish Set claim to turn any regular nail polish into gel polish.
You need to mix equal amounts of the gel and your regular nail polish on a palette or in a small dish. Then, using the regular nail polish brush, apply a thin coat of the mixture to your nails and cure it under a UV, LED, or CCFL lamp.
Regular nail varnish takes about 24 hours to completely dry, whereas gel polish dries within 30-60 seconds. If you apply a gel top coat over wet regular nail polish, your nail polish will shrink and crease. Moreover, the faster drying time of gel polish will confine the moisture from your nail varnish to your nail bed, which can be harmful to your nails.
Gel manicures are known for being glossier, more durable, and long-lasting compared to regular nail polish. They do not chip or peel easily and can last for about 2-3 weeks.
Yes, there are some safety concerns related to the use of ultraviolet lamps to harden the gel manicure. There are well-established links between UV exposure and skin aging and cancer. However, newer LED curing lamps are supposed to make the curing process faster and safer.
