Isla Bennett
Bows are a cute addition to any manicure, and they can be applied to gel nails in a few different ways. One way is to use a small bead of clear acrylic to stick the bow to the nail, and then to pack the sides in with more acrylic. Another method is to use a tiny bit of clear gel bond or UV top coat to attach the bow, and then cure it under a UV or LED lamp. Some people also use phone accessories glue to stick bows onto gel nails, as it is crystal clear and dries without a mess.
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What You'll Learn
Using glue to stick on bows
To stick a bow on your gel nails using glue, you must first prepare your nails. Clip your nails to your desired length, then use a nail file to shape them. Buff the tops of your nails to take off a bit of the top layer, which will help the gel polish to adhere better. Rinse your hands with water (no soap) and remove all dead skin, then dry your hands thoroughly. Make sure your nails are completely clean.
Next, apply a thin layer of the base coat gel polish onto your nails, then cure under a light for 120 seconds. Apply one coat of gel polish, and if you get the polish on your skin, use some acetone to wipe it away before putting your hand under the lamp again. After you've finished the gel, wipe the tacky layer, then file the spot where you want to place the bow.
Finally, apply a small amount of glue to the back of the bow and stick it to the designated spot on your nail. You can use phone accessories glue, or clear acrylic glue.
To remove the gel polish, cut a cotton pad into four pieces, and soak each of them with acetone. Buff the top of each nail, then cover your nail with the cotton pad and apply a nail polish soak-off clip to hold it in place for 15 minutes. Remove the clips and begin scraping off the gel polish with a steel cuticle remover and scraper.
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Using gel or acrylic to stick on bows
To stick on nail art bows using gel or acrylic, you can follow these steps:
First, prepare your nails by clipping them to the desired length and shaping them with a nail file. Buff the tops of your nails to remove a bit of the top layer, which will help the gel polish adhere better. Rinse your hands with water, ensuring that your nails are completely clean, and then dry them thoroughly.
Next, apply a thin layer of PH Bond to help dry out your nails, followed by a thin layer of base coat gel polish. Cure your nails under a nail lamp for about 120 seconds.
Now, you can apply your chosen colour of gel polish. Remember to keep this layer as thin as possible. If you get any polish on your skin, use acetone to wipe it away before curing your nails again under the lamp.
Once you have achieved your desired colour, you can begin the process of attaching the bow. One method is to use a small bead of clear acrylic to stick the bow onto your nail. You can also use phone accessories glue, which is crystal clear and will give you a pretty finish. Another option is to file the spot where you want to place the bow, and then stick it with acrylic.
Finally, apply a top coat over the entire nail, including the bow, and cure it under the lamp once more.
By following these steps, you can achieve a long-lasting and stylish gel nail look with a bow accent.
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Preparing the nail for gel polish
Preparing your nails for gel polish is essential to ensure your manicure looks better and lasts longer. It also ensures your nails remain healthy and reduces the risk of damage.
Firstly, you should shape your nails. Use a nail clipper to trim your nails to the desired length, then use a nail file to shape them. Filing your nails in one direction, rather than back and forth, prevents them from splitting.
Next, you need to take care of your cuticles. Use a cuticle remover to soften the dead skin, then gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher. You can also use a cuticle nipper to clean up the area, but be careful not to overcut the cuticle and damage your skin. Removing dead skin promotes a smooth gel polish application and gives you more surface area to paint.
After that, buff the tops of your nails to take off a bit of the top layer. This will help the gel polish adhere better. You can use a nail buffer to do this, and it's recommended to buff in one direction to avoid removing multiple layers of the nail and weakening it.
Finally, it's crucial to cleanse your nails to remove any oils or dust from filing. You can use rubbing alcohol, nail cleanser, or nail prep pads for this step. Once your nails are completely clean and grease-free, you can apply a product like Selfgel Prepper to provide extra adhesion between the nail and the gel polish.
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Applying the gel polish
To apply gel polish, you will first need to ensure you have the correct supplies. You will need a nail lamp, acetone, a nail buffer, rubbing alcohol, PH bond, a base and top coat, and gel nail polish.
Begin by clipping your nails to the desired length, using a nail file to shape them, and buffing the tops of your nails to remove a bit of the top layer. This will help the gel polish adhere better. Rinse your hands with water and remove any dead skin, ensuring your nails are completely clean. Paint on the PH bond to help dry out your nails.
Apply a thin layer of the base coat gel polish, then cure under the light for 120 seconds. It is important to make this layer as thin as possible to avoid a mess. Apply one coat of gel polish, again keeping it as thin as possible. If you get any polish on your skin, use acetone to wipe it away before curing under the lamp.
If you are adding any 3D charms, such as bows, now is the time to do so. You can use clear acrylic or phone accessories glue to stick them on. You can also file a curve into the back of the charm to help it sit better on the nail and avoid catching on anything.
Finish with a top coat, curing it under the lamp, and you're done!
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Curing the gel polish
Curing gel polish is a challenging process that requires the right technique and patience. It involves using a UV or LED lamp to seal and harden the gel nail polish, creating a solid layer of colour that resists chipping and wear. This process is known as polymerisation, and it causes the molecules in the gel polish to bond together.
To cure gel polish, start by applying a thin layer of the base coat gel polish to your nails. This layer should be as thin as possible to avoid a messy build-up. Cure this layer under a UV or LED lamp for about two minutes. The light from the lamp will cause the gel polish to harden and seal, creating a durable finish.
After the base coat is cured, you can apply your chosen colour of gel polish. Again, apply this in a thin layer to avoid wrinkles and ensure proper curing. Cure each coat of colour under the lamp, repeating until you achieve the desired opacity, which usually takes between two to four coats.
Once you have achieved the desired colour, finish with a top coat, curing this final layer under the lamp. This will seal in the colour and add extra protection to your manicure. Remember to cure each layer completely before moving on to the next, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the required curing time.
By mastering the technique of curing gel polish, you can achieve long-lasting, chip-resistant manicures with a flawless, glossy finish.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to stick a bow on gel nails. One way is to use a small bead of clear acrylic. Another way is to file the spot for placing the bow, and stick it with glue.
If you are making the bow yourself, you can mould it straight onto the nail and it will attach as it dries. If you are using a pre-made bow, a tiny bit of clear gel bond can also be used to attach it to the nail.
One alternative to using glue is to use a sticky layer and then put a top coat over it and cure it.
Some people find that larger charms are more comfortable for daily life when placed on the thumb.
