Isla Bennett
Doing gel nails at home can be a fun and cost-saving experience. It's definitely possible to get salon-worthy gel nails at home, but it will take some practice to get it right. The main difference between a traditional nail polish procedure and gel nails is that gel nails require a lot more equipment. You'll need a UV or LED lamp, a cuticle oil, a nail buff, a top coat, a base coat, and gel nail polish to get started. You'll also need to make sure your nails are prepped and ready to go before you apply any polish.
Characteristics and Values of Doing Gel Nails at Home
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Significantly cheaper than going to a nail salon |
| Time | Time-consuming at first, but faster than going to a salon once you get the hang of it |
| Quality | Salon-worthy nails are achievable with practice |
| Equipment | Requires an at-home gel nail kit with a UV or LED lamp, nail buffer, nail file, gel nail polish, base coat, top coat, and cuticle oil |
| Technique | Requires a steady hand and patience |
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What You'll Learn
The right equipment is key
To get started, you will need to buy a gel nail kit or purchase all the pieces separately. A proper kit should provide you with all the supplies needed to apply and remove gel polish. However, some kits may require you to buy additional supplies separately for removal. The cost of an at-home gel manicure kit can range from $38 to $79, which is much cheaper than the cost of a single gel manicure at a salon, which can range from $50 to $70.
The essential tools and products you will need include:
- A UV or LED lamp for curing the gel polish. An LED lamp is recommended as it emits less UV light and dries the gel polish quicker.
- A nail file for shaping and prepping your nails. Glass or crystal nail files are preferred over emery boards as they last longer and provide a smoother finish.
- A nail buffer to smooth and even out your nail surface, allowing the gel polish to adhere better and last longer.
- Rubbing alcohol with at least 70% alcohol content to clean your nail bed and remove the gel polish.
- A gel base coat and top coat are necessary for gel nails.
- Gel nail polish in your desired colours. Look for formulas with a thicker viscosity and ensure they are compatible with your lamp.
- Cuticle oil to rehydrate your cuticles and the surrounding skin after applying your gel manicure.
With the right equipment and practice, you can achieve perfect gel nails at home and save time and money.
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Prepping your nails
Clean Your Nails
Start by cleaning your nails to ensure they are free of any grease or oils. You can use rubbing alcohol to cleanse your nails, as it helps to dehydrate the nail surface and allows the gel polish to stick better. Aim for rubbing alcohol with a high alcohol content, as anything 70% or higher can work, but 91% is best.
Cut and File Your Nails
Before you apply any polish, cut your nails to your desired length, making sure they are all equal lengths. Then, use a nail file to smooth out any rough edges and shape your nails. There are two main types of nail files: emery boards and glass files. Glass files are recommended for a smoother finish, as they are etched with a file pattern that lasts longer, whereas emery boards can leave nails feeling jagged.
Soften Your Cuticles
Apply cuticle oil to your nails and gently push back your cuticles. Wash or soak your hands afterward to remove the oil, as any leftover oil could cause your gel nails to lift. You can also swipe your nails with acetone before washing to ensure all excess oil is removed.
Buff Your Nails
Buffing your nails is crucial to smooth and even out the nail surface. Use a nail buffer made of fine grit to buff your entire nail from edge to edge. This step helps to remove any natural oils and dead skin, ensuring that your gel polish adheres properly and lasts longer.
Apply a Base Coat
After your nails are prepped and clean, it's time to apply a base coat. This step is important as it provides a good, even base for your gel polish and protects your nails from discolouration. Allow the base coat to air dry completely before moving on to the next step.
With these steps, you can properly prep your nails for a gel manicure at home, ensuring a longer-lasting and better-looking manicure.
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The importance of a base coat
Doing gel nails at home is a great way to save money and achieve salon-worthy results. While it requires patience and practice, the process is not too different from getting gel nails done at a nail salon. One crucial step in achieving the perfect at-home gel manicure is applying a base coat.
The base coat is the very first layer that you apply to your nails before adding any colour. It is usually transparent and serves as a foundation for your manicure. By creating a smooth surface, the base coat helps the polish adhere better and enhances its longevity. This is especially important for gel polish, which requires a specific surface texture to adhere properly. Without a base coat, the gel polish is more likely to chip and peel prematurely.
Another important function of the base coat is to act as a protective barrier for your nails. It prevents the natural oils of your nails from interfering with the gel polish, ensuring that the colour remains vibrant and intact for longer. Additionally, the base coat shields your nails from potential staining, which is particularly important when using dark or highly pigmented polishes.
Base coats also contribute to the overall health of your nails. They provide added strength and support, which is beneficial for those with brittle or weak nails. Some base coats are even formulated with vitamins, nutrients, and minerals to nourish and protect fragile nails. This protective layer is crucial in maintaining the health of your nails, especially when bearing the weight of gel polish.
Applying a base coat is a simple yet essential step in achieving a flawless and long-lasting gel manicure. It not only enhances the adhesion and durability of the polish but also provides protection and strength to your natural nails. By including this step in your at-home gel nail routine, you can ensure a more successful and professional-looking manicure.
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Sealing with a top coat
There are several products available on the market that can be used as a gel top coat. For example, the Cacee Gel Topcoat is a non-sticky sealer that can be used on acrylic, builder gel, silk wrap, and fiberglass nails. It provides a glass-like shine and can be cured under a UV or LED lamp. The Essential Seal Gel Top Coat is another option that can be used over gel polish, dip systems, hard gel systems, and acrylic systems. It also provides a high-gloss finish and can be cured under a UV or LED lamp.
When applying the top coat, it is important to ensure that your nails are properly prepped. This includes cutting your nails to equal lengths and filing them to smooth out any rough edges. It is also important to buff your nails to remove any natural oils that can build up and shorten the lifespan of your manicure.
Once the top coat is applied, it needs to be cured under a lamp. The curing time will depend on the type of lamp and top coat being used. For example, the Cacee Gel Topcoat needs to be cured for at least 30 seconds to 1 minute, while the Essential Seal Gel Top Coat needs to be cured for 30 seconds under an LED lamp or 2 minutes under a UV lamp.
After curing, there may be a tacky layer left on the nails. This can be easily removed with a nail wipe saturated with a cleansing solution. It is important to note that this step is not required for all top coats, as some are formulated to be non-sticky.
By following these steps and sealing your gel manicure with a top coat, you can achieve a long-lasting and salon-worthy finish.
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Removing gel nails safely
Removing gel nail polish at home can be done in two main ways: the traditional method and using a gel nail polish remover. The traditional method involves using acetone, which effectively removes gel nail polish. However, it is important to note that acetone can be harsh on the nails and skin, so it should be used with caution. To remove gel nail polish with acetone, follow these steps:
- Protect your work area: Line your work area with a cloth or plastic wrap to avoid stains and damage to surfaces. Acetone can damage sinks, countertops, and furniture.
- Work on one hand at a time: This makes the process more manageable.
- Prepare the necessary supplies: You will need acetone, cotton balls or pads, aluminum foil, a cuticle pusher, and a nail file. Cuticle oil and a nail buffer are optional but recommended to keep your nails healthy.
- File down the gel top coat: Use a coarse nail file to file down the gel top coat until it is no longer shiny and smooth. Be careful not to file the surface of the nail plate to avoid damaging your nails.
- Soak your nails in acetone: Soak cotton balls or pads in acetone and place them on your nails. Wrap your nails with aluminum foil to hold the cotton in place and create a tight seal. Leave it on for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the foil and cotton: Most or all of the gel nail polish should come off with the foil and cotton. If not, gently rub your nails with a warm, wet washcloth to remove any remaining polish. Be careful to only rub the nail and avoid the surrounding skin.
- Wash your hands: Wash your hands with gentle, fragrance-free soap and water to remove any remaining acetone.
- Moisturize: Apply petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the skin around your nails to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone.
Alternatively, you can use a gel nail polish remover, which is a faster and gentler option that requires fewer tools. Follow the instructions on the gel nail polish remover you have chosen.
Another method recommended by Dr. Lipner is to simply let your nails grow out. Clipping your nails once a week will help remove the gel nail polish and prevent your nails from catching on objects. This method is slow, taking about six months for fingernails and 12 to 18 months for toenails, but it avoids the use of potentially damaging removal processes.
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Frequently asked questions
Gel nails done at home can last for about one and a half weeks to three weeks.
You will need a UV or LED lamp, a cuticle oil, a nail buff, a top coat, a base coat, and gel nail polish. You can either buy a gel nail kit or buy all the pieces separately.
First, cut your nails and file them to smooth out any rough edges. Next, buff your entire nail from edge to edge to remove any natural oils. Then, apply a gel base coat, followed by the gel nail polish and a gel top coat. Finally, moisturize your nails and the surrounding skin with cuticle oil.
