Sophia Delgado
OPI gel nail polish is a long-lasting, chip-free manicure option that can keep your nails looking fabulous for up to three weeks. OPI offers an extensive range of gel nail polish options, and its GelColor Intelli-Gel™ System self-corrects every stroke, stays put, and delivers professional wear. To apply OPI gel nail polish, you need to follow specific steps, including shaking the bottles, prepping your nails, applying a base coat, curing with an LED lamp, applying thin coats of colour, and finishing with a top coat. With the right tools and techniques, you can achieve stunning, salon-quality OPI gel nails at home.
Applying OPI Gel Nail Polish
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Shake the bottle for 1 minute to blend the ingredients. Cleanse nails with a nail wipe and nail cleansing solution to remove gel residue. |
| Base coat | Apply a thin coat of Super Base Base Coat, capping the free edge of the nail to seal. Cure for 30 seconds in an OPI Star Light Gel Lamp. |
| First coat | Apply a thin coat of colour, capping the free edge to seal. Cure for 30 seconds. |
| Second coat | Apply a second thin coat of colour, capping the free edge to seal. Cure for 30 seconds. |
| Top coat | Apply a thin, even layer of OPI Gel Color Top Coat. Cure under the lamp for 30 seconds, then for another 60-90 seconds to ensure it is fully dry. |
| Finish | Gently wipe nails with alcohol to remove residue. Apply hand lotion and cuticle oil. |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare nails and shake bottles
To prepare your nails for OPI Gel Nail Polish, start by cleansing them to remove any gel residue. You can do this by wiping your nails with a nail wipe that has been saturated with NAS 99 Nail Cleansing Solution.
Before you begin applying the gel nail polish, make sure to shake the bottles vigorously for one minute to thoroughly blend the ingredients.
OPI Gel Nail Polish is a soak-off gel polish, meaning you can remove it by simply soaking your nails in acetone. It is cured by an LED lamp, which hardens the polish and gives it a flawless, long-lasting finish. The OPI GelColor Intelli-Gel™ System self-corrects every stroke, stays put, and delivers three weeks of professional wear.
To achieve the best results with OPI Gel Color, it is important to follow the safety guidelines and instructions provided by the brand. This includes using the right tools, such as a fine nail art brush or dotting tool, to create beautiful designs and patterns on your nails.
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Apply a thin base coat
To apply a thin base coat of OPI gel nail polish, start by shaking the bottle vigorously for one minute to thoroughly blend the ingredients. Next, prepare your nails by following the OPI Salon Service Prep steps. Cleanse your nails with a nail wipe saturated with NAS 99 Nail Cleansing Solution to remove any gel residue.
Now you're ready to apply the base coat. Apply a thin coat of Super Base Base Coat to your nails, starting by capping the free edge of the nail to seal it. Then, apply the base coat to the surface of the nail, leaving a small free margin around the perimeter. Cure your nails for 30 seconds in an OPI Star Light Gel Lamp.
The base coat is important as it helps to strengthen your nails and promote the adhesion of the gel nail polish, ensuring a long-lasting manicure. It also helps to prevent staining and discolouration of your nails, which can occur with certain colours and pigments.
You can also apply a base coat to your cuticles to protect them and make the removal process easier. Simply apply a thin layer of cuticle oil or cream to your cuticles before starting your manicure.
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Thin coat of colour, seal free edge
To apply a thin coat of colour and seal the free edge when using OPI Gel Nail Polish, follow these steps:
Firstly, it is important to prepare your nails. Cleanse them with a nail wipe saturated with NAS 99 Nail Cleansing Solution to remove any gel residue. Next, shake the bottle of OPI Gel Nail Polish vigorously for one minute to thoroughly blend the ingredients.
Now you are ready to start applying the colour. Apply a thin coat of colour, starting by capping the free edge of the nail to seal it. Then, apply the colour to the surface of the nail, leaving a small free margin around the perimeter. Cure for 30 seconds in an OPI Star Light Gel Lamp.
After curing, you can apply a second thin coat of colour, following the same technique as before. Again, start by capping the free edge to seal, then apply to the surface of the nail, leaving a small free margin. Cure for another 30 seconds.
Finally, apply a thin, even layer of OPI Gel Colour Top Coat. This will add shine and lock in the colour, giving your manicure a salon-quality finish. Cure the top coat under the lamp for 30 seconds, then for another 60-90 seconds to ensure the gel polish is fully dry.
Your OPI Gel Nail Polish is now complete, leaving you with a long-lasting, chip-free manicure that will keep your nails looking fabulous for up to three weeks.
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Cure under an LED lamp
After applying a thin coat of the OPI GelColor base to your nails, curing under an LED lamp is the next crucial step in achieving a long-lasting gel manicure. Curing the base coat helps to create a strong foundation for your nail polish, ensuring it adheres properly to your nails.
When curing the base coat, it's important to follow the recommended time guidelines. Typically, curing the base coat under an LED lamp should take around 30 seconds. This timing ensures that the base coat is sufficiently cured and ready for the next step.
Different LED lamps may have varying curing times, so it's essential to refer to the specific instructions for your lamp. For example, the OPI Star Light Gel Lamp is recommended for curing OPI gel nail polishes and typically requires 30 seconds of curing time. However, other lamps, such as the Gelish 18 or the Artistic Pro 30, can also be used effectively.
If you're using a lamp with different wattage or specifications, you may need to adjust the curing time accordingly. In such cases, it's advisable to consult with the lamp manufacturer or seek advice from nail professionals to ensure optimal curing without overexposure.
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Wipe with alcohol to remove residue
When applying OPI gel nail polish, it is important to wipe your nails with alcohol to remove any residue. This step ensures that your manicure has a glossy finish and prolongs the wear of your nail polish.
The sticky or tacky layer that remains on your nails after applying gel polish is typically due to uncured gel polish. This occurs when the oxygen in the air prevents the top layer of your manicure from curing completely. By using a product with a high concentration of isopropyl alcohol, you can effectively dissolve and wipe away this sticky residue.
To perform this step, use an alcohol pad or wipe saturated with isopropyl alcohol to clean one nail at a time. Ensure that you dispose of the pad or wipe after each nail. Avoid reusing the same pad or wipe on multiple nails, as this can transfer the tacky layer and dull the appearance of your manicure.
If you do not have access to isopropyl alcohol or a gel cleanser, you can use a small amount of acetone-free nail polish remover with a lint-free cotton pad. However, be cautious not to use too much, as it can weaken your gel manicure and affect the colour or glossiness. Remember, this alternative method is not as effective as using isopropyl alcohol.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cleanse your nails with a nail wipe saturated with NAS 99 Nail Cleansing Solution to remove any gel residue. Next, shake the bottle vigorously for 1 minute to thoroughly blend the ingredients. Then, apply a thin coat of Super Base Base Coat to your nails, capping the free edge of the nail to seal, and apply to the surface, leaving a small free margin around the perimeter. Cure for 30 seconds in an OPI Star Light Gel Lamp.
Apply a thin coat of colour, starting by capping the free edge to seal and apply to the surface of the nail, leaving a small free margin around the perimeter of the nail. Cure for 30 seconds in an OPI Star Light Gel Lamp. Then, apply a second thin coat of colour, repeating the previous step.
Apply a thin, even layer of OPI Gel Color Top Coat to your nails. Cure the top coat under the lamp for 30 seconds, and then for another 60 to 90 seconds to ensure the gel polish is fully dry. Gently wipe your nails with alcohol to remove any tacky residue, and apply hand lotion and cuticle oil for smooth, glossy hands.
