Sophia Delgado
Applying gel nail polish is a great way to get long-lasting, salon-worthy nails at home. The process is an art, and it takes time and patience to get it right. The gel method is a popular manicure technique that can be applied to natural nails to strengthen and protect them from breaking. The process is safe for everyone, including pregnant women and allergic people, as no harmful dust is released. Before you start, you'll need to make sure you have the right tools, including a UV or LED lamp, cuticle oil, a nail buff, a top coat, a base coat, and gel nail polish.
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What You'll Learn
Cut, file, and shape your nails
Cutting, filing, and shaping your nails are crucial steps in achieving the perfect manicure. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:
Cutting Your Nails
Before you begin cutting your nails, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly to remove any dirt or lotion residue from under your nails. This step not only ensures a clean canvas for your manicure but also helps prevent infections in case of accidental cuts. Once your hands are clean and dry, you can determine the desired length and shape of your nails.
If you plan to cut your nails, it is recommended to use nail clippers. Position the clippers on the outside of the nail and cut towards the middle, creating a small point in the center. This technique is especially useful if you want a square or pointed nail shape. Cut less than you think you need, as you can always go back and cut or file more if needed. Remember to be extra cautious with gel nails, as cutting them can break the seal and require you to reapply the topcoat.
Filing and Shaping Your Nails
Filing your nails is an essential step, whether you are shaping them into a specific form or simply smoothing out any ridges or bumps. It is generally recommended to file your nails regularly, at least once a week, to maintain their health and strength. Filing also helps prevent chipping, ensuring that your manicure lasts longer.
When filing your nails, always file in one direction instead of moving the file back and forth, as this can damage the nail plate. Use a board hand file or an emery board with a medium grit (150-180 grit) for best results. Start by finding the middle point of your cuticle and matching it to the center point of the free edge of your nail. This will be your guide as you file the sides towards that point. If you need to reshape a French tip nail, be aware that filing will break the seal on the white tip, so proceed with caution.
For an almond or oval nail shape, you can use nail nippers to cut the corners of your nails diagonally, being careful not to cut too much. You can then use the file to smooth and refine the shape. If you prefer a square shape, file your nails straight across. For a rounded shape, cut your nails closer to the top of the point and use the file to gently curve the edges.
Remember to dust off your nails with a dry brush after filing to remove any nail dust. You can also wet the brush with 90% alcohol for a more thorough cleaning.
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Push back your cuticles
Pushing back your cuticles is an important step in achieving healthy and beautiful nails. Cuticles act as a protective barrier for your nails, preventing infections and other common nail woes like hangnails. By pushing back your cuticles, you can also clear away dead skin cells, allowing nail products to bond more easily with your nails' surface for longer-lasting manicures.
To push back your cuticles, start by removing any existing nail polish with a non-acetone nail polish remover. Acetone can dry out your nails and cuticles, so it's best to opt for a non-acetone option. Fill a bowl with warm soapy water and soak your nails for about 5 to 10 minutes. You can also add a few drops of moisturising soap or oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil, to the water for extra hydration. This step will help soften your cuticles, making them easier to push back.
After soaking, gently pat your hands dry with a clean towel. Apply a small amount of cuticle oil or lotion to your cuticles and let it soak in for a few minutes. This will provide additional moisture and make the cuticles even softer. You can then use a cuticle pusher or a wooden orange stick to gently push back the cuticles in circular motions. Avoid using sharp or forceful movements, as this can injure the delicate skin around your nails.
If you encounter any resistance while pushing back the cuticles, apply a little more oil to ease the process. Remember to be gentle and take your time. Once you have pushed back the cuticles, it is important to rehydrate your nails and cuticles with nail oil, cuticle cream, or a thick, rich skin moisturiser. This will help maintain suppleness and prevent cracking or splitting.
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Buff your nails
Buffing your nails is an important step in the gel application process. It helps create a rough surface for the gel to adhere to, ensuring that your manicure lasts longer. It also helps to remove any excess gel polish left on the surface of your nails from previous applications.
To buff your nails, you will need a nail buffer or a nail file. If using a nail file, ensure it is 180-grit or a 100-180 grit file. A buffer block with a grit of 100 or 120 can also be used. The buffer block has a different surface texture than an emery file, so it won't damage your nails as much, even though it feels rougher. If you are unsure if your buffer is rough enough, feel its surface with your fingers. If it feels smooth, it is likely overused and will not create the desired rough texture on your nails.
When buffing, apply light pressure and pay attention to any leftover polish or flakes on the nail plate, ensuring they are removed. You just want to slightly roughen the surface of your nails, not buff them away and make them thin. Remember to buff the free edge, or the top end, of your nails as well.
After buffing, clean your nails thoroughly with rubbing alcohol to allow the gel polish to adhere directly to your natural nail.
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Clean your nails
Clean nails are essential for a long-lasting gel manicure. Start by pushing back your cuticles with a cuticle stick. This will help you avoid cutting them and exposing your nail root to potential infections. Next, use a nail file to shape your nails and smooth out any rough edges.
Now, it's time to clean your nails thoroughly. You can use an acetone-free nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol for this step. Make sure to wipe off any residue or oils, as this will help the gel polish adhere directly to your natural nail.
Some sources recommend using a high-quality primer or acid-free primer on the nail plate after cleaning. This will help the gel polish bind to your natural nail and create a smooth surface.
Finally, lightly buff your nails to make the surface of your natural nail smooth and shiny. Be careful not to over-buff, as this can lead to thinner and weaker nails. Your nails are now clean and ready for the next steps of your gel manicure!
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Apply the gel base coat
Applying a gel base coat is crucial to achieving a long-lasting gel manicure. It helps the gel polish adhere properly to your natural nails, creating a smooth surface for the gel to bind to and enhancing the durability of your manicure. Here is a step-by-step guide to applying the gel base coat:
Prepare Your Nails:
Before applying the gel base coat, ensure your nails are prepped and ready. Start by cutting your nails to your desired length and shape. You can create various shapes, such as round, square, pointy, almond, or oval nails. Use a nail file to smooth out any rough edges and create a smooth surface for the gel application. Glass nail files are recommended for achieving a smoother finish compared to traditional emery boards.
Push Back Your Cuticles:
Use a cuticle pusher to gently push back your cuticles. This step helps create a cleaner and more visible nail surface area. It is important to avoid trimming your cuticles as it can open up the root of your nails to potential infections. You can use cuticle oil to soften your cuticles and make this process easier.
Buff and Clean Your Nails:
Lightly buff your nails to make the surface of your natural nails smooth and shiny. Be careful not to over-buff, as this can lead to thinner and weaker nails. After buffing, clean your nails thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or an acetone-free nail polish remover to ensure that the polish adheres directly to your natural nail.
Now, you can apply the gel base coat. Grab your chosen base coat and apply a thin, even layer over each natural nail. Work in smooth, vertical strips, and be careful not to get the base coat on your surrounding skin. Make sure to seal the open edges or "cap the free edge" to create a chip-resistant finish.
Cure the Base Coat:
After applying the gel base coat to all your nails, it's time to cure them under a UV lamp or LED light. Place your nails under the lamp for at least 45 seconds to a minute to ensure the base coat has thoroughly cured. It is normal for your nails to feel sticky after curing, and you should avoid touching them during this stage to prevent spoiling the application process.
Once the gel base coat is cured, you can move on to the next step of your gel manicure, which is typically applying your chosen colour in thin layers. Remember to cure each layer of colour under the lamp before proceeding.
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Frequently asked questions
Start by cutting and shaping your nails. You can create round, square, pointy, almond, or oval nails, depending on your preference. Then, use a cuticle pusher to push back your cuticles and remove any dead skin from your nail plate. Next, buff your nails to make the surface of your natural nail smooth and shiny for application. Finally, clean your nails with an acetone-free nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol.
You will need a UV or LED lamp, cuticle oil, a nail buff, a top coat, a base coat, and gel nail polish. You can buy these items separately or as part of a gel nail kit.
First, apply a thin base coat to your dry nails and cure it under a UV or LED lamp. Next, apply two thin layers of gel nail polish, curing each layer under the lamp. Finally, apply a clear top coat and cure it under the lamp.
To remove gel nail polish, use an acetone-based nail polish remover.
