Isla Bennett
Achieving the perfect manicure is an art form. When it comes to gel nails, the number of coats you apply plays a crucial role in ensuring a flawless finish that lasts. The magic number is four: a base coat, two coats of colour, and a top coat. This combination will result in a long-lasting, professional-looking manicure.
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What You'll Learn
The importance of a base coat
A base coat is an essential step in achieving a flawless manicure. It is the foundation of your manicure, protecting the nail, and extending the wear of your polish.
The base coat is the very first layer applied to bare nails before polish. It is usually transparent and creates a smooth surface for seamless polish application. It fills in any ridges, bumps, or unevenness on the nails, resulting in an even and professional-looking application. This smooth surface also helps the polish adhere better to your nails, reducing the chances of chipping and peeling.
Additionally, the base coat acts as a protective barrier between the nail and the coloured polish. It prevents the natural oils of your nails from interfering with the gel polish, ensuring that the colour remains vibrant and intact for longer. It also prevents pigments from adhering directly to the nail plate, making colour removal much easier. This is especially important when using dark or highly pigmented gel polishes, which have a tendency to leave a tint on the nail plate.
Base coats are also formulated with vitamins, proteins, and other nourishing ingredients that promote nail health. They help strengthen nails, providing an extra layer of support to prevent breakage and splitting. This added strength is crucial for maintaining the health of your nails under the weight of gel polish.
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The number of colour coats
The number of coats of colour polish you need depends on the opacity of your nail polish and the look you are going for. If you are using a regular nail polish, two thin coats are generally recommended. This will give you optimal colour saturation, be easy to apply, and dry quickly, reducing the risk of chipping or smudging.
However, if you are using a sheer or translucent polish, you may need to apply more than two coats to get the opacity you want. On the other hand, if you are going for a more natural, barely-there look, one coat may be enough.
If you are using a gel polish, you will need to apply a thin layer of base coat first, cure your nails under a UV or LED lamp, and then apply your colour. For a vibrant gel colour, two coats may be necessary. You will then need to cure the colour coats under a UV or LED lamp before applying your top coat.
Remember, when applying multiple coats, it is important to let each layer dry completely before moving on to the next. This will help you achieve a smooth, professional-looking finish.
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The role of a top coat
A top coat is the final seal, providing a long-lasting finish to your manicure. It is the last layer applied to your nails, and it ensures that your nail polish is protected from external elements, such as water, scratches, and chips. It also adds an extra layer of shine, giving your nails a fresh, glossy look.
The top coat is applied after the base coat and colour layers have been cured under a UV or LED lamp. It is important to apply a thin, even layer of the top coat to ensure it adheres properly and dries quickly. This final layer will also help to smooth out any imperfections in the colour layers, providing a flawless finish.
The top coat is a crucial step in achieving the long-lasting effects of gel polish. It helps to extend the life of your manicure, making sure your nails look freshly done for longer. The top coat also adds to the durability of the manicure, providing a hard coating that can handle the wear and tear of daily life without chipping or cracking.
In addition to its functional benefits, the top coat is also what gives gel nails their signature look. It imparts a dazzling, extreme shine or a velvety matte finish, depending on your preference. This final layer adds the perfect finishing touch to your manicure, ensuring your nails look and feel their best.
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How to cure gel nails
Achieving the perfect manicure at home is an art, and the process can be made even more challenging when using gel nail polish. Unlike regular nail polish, gel nail polish requires a specialised UV or LED lamp to cure and dry properly. This process, known as polymerization, creates a durable layer of colour that resists chipping and wear. While it is possible to cure gel nails without a UV light, it is important to note that non-UV gel nail polishes are not technically cured, but rather air-dried.
Steps to Cure Gel Nails:
- Prepare your nails: Start with clean, dry nails that are free of any old polish. Use a gentle nail polish remover to eliminate any dirt, oils, or residue that could prevent the new polish from adhering properly. Trim, shape, and buff your nails to create a smooth base for the polish application.
- Apply a base coat: A base coat is essential for achieving a flawless manicure. It creates a smooth surface for the nail polish to adhere to, fills in any ridges or imperfections, and helps protect your nails from staining. Apply a thin, even layer of a high-quality base coat and allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
- Apply the gel nail polish: Depending on the opacity of your gel nail polish, you may need to apply multiple thin coats to achieve the desired colour. Remember to cure each coat under the lamp for proper sealing and long-lasting results. Follow the instructions provided by the gel polish manufacturer to determine the required curing time, which can range from a few seconds to several minutes.
- Apply a top coat: Once you have achieved the desired colour, apply a thin, even layer of a gel top coat to seal in the colour, add shine, and extend the life of your nail polish. Cure the top coat under the lamp, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Remove residue: After curing the final layer, use a cotton pad soaked in alcohol, acetone, or a specialised gel cleanser to remove any sticky or tacky residue from the cured gel nails.
- Maintain your lamp: For frequent use, replace the UV bulb in your lamp every 2-4 months to maintain its effectiveness. If you use the lamp infrequently, replacement may only be necessary once or twice a year.
By following these steps and allowing each layer to dry completely before moving on to the next, you can achieve a professional-looking gel manicure at home that is long-lasting and resistant to chipping.
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Gel nail removal
There are a few different methods for removing gel nail polish. One popular method is to use acetone, which is an effective way to remove gel nail polish at home, according to board-certified dermatologist Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, FAAD. Here is a step-by-step guide to using this method:
- Protect your work area: Acetone can damage sinks, countertops, and furniture, so it is important to line your work area with a cloth or plastic wrap.
- Prepare your nails: Cut your nails and push back your cuticles. You can also shape and buff your nails to create a smooth base.
- Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to each cuticle and the surrounding skin to protect your skin from the acetone.
- Cut cotton balls or strips to the size of each nail. Soak each piece of cotton in acetone and place it on top of the corresponding nail.
- Wrap each nail with plastic food wrap or aluminum foil to create a tight seal. Leave this on for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the plastic wrap or foil and gently rub off any remaining polish with a warm, wet washcloth. Be careful to only rub the nail and avoid the surrounding skin.
- Wash your hands with gentle soap and water to remove any remaining acetone.
- Apply petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the skin around your nails for the next seven days to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone.
Another method for removing gel nail polish is to use a gel nail polish remover. This method is faster and requires fewer tools than the acetone method. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- File down the top coat layer of your gel polish with a coarse nail file until it is no longer shiny and smooth.
- Apply a thick layer of gel polish remover to your gel nails, being careful not to get it on your skin.
- Allow the remover to soak into the gel nails for about 5 minutes. You will see the edges of the gel polish start to peel, crack, bubble, or burst.
- Use a metal cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick to gently push or remove the gel polish off each nail.
- Clean your nails with a nail buffer to remove any remaining small bits of gel polish.
- Apply cuticle oil to keep your nails hydrated and healthy.
It is important to note that picking, scraping, or filing off gel nail polish can damage your nails. Therefore, it is recommended to take your time and be gentle during the removal process to avoid causing harm to your nails or skin.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need four coats in total: a base coat, two coats of colour, and a top coat.
Each coat has a different function. The base coat acts as a protective layer between the nail and the gel polish, preventing staining and promoting adhesion. The colour coats provide the desired shade, and the top coat seals in the colour, adds shine, and extends the life of your manicure.
First, clean and prepare your nails by washing your hands, filing them gently in one direction, pushing back your cuticles, and buffing the nail surface. Next, apply a thin layer of base coat and cure it under a UV or LED nail lamp. Then, apply two thin layers of colour, curing between each coat. Finally, apply a thin layer of top coat and cure it under the lamp.
Yes, it is important to use thin, even layers of polish for optimal durability and appearance. Thick layers can result in premature lifting, bubbling, and a longer drying time. Additionally, remember to seal the edges of your nails with the base and top coats to prevent the polish from coming off.
