Sophia Delgado
Jelly nails are a fun, easy-to-achieve trend that can be done at home or in a salon. The look is created by using a semi-translucent and see-through nail polish, which can be achieved by mixing a clear top coat with a few drops of coloured polish. The jelly nail trend is a great way to give your natural nails a break after removing acrylic tips or gel polish, as the natural nail line is usually visible through the polish. To apply jelly gel nail polish, you should start by trimming and filing your nails to the same length and shape, and pushing back your cuticles. Then, apply an even layer of base coat and cure it under a UV or LED lamp. Apply thin layers of colour, curing each layer under the lamp. Finish with a layer of top coat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To create a semi-translucent and see-through nail colour |
| Preparation | Remove old polish, trim, file, and buff nails, and push back cuticles |
| Base coat | Apply a gel base coat and cure under UV light for 30-60 seconds |
| Mixing polish | Mix a few drops of clear top coat with coloured polish, and add opaque cream polish for a deeper or brighter colour |
| Application | Paint each nail with the mixed polish, and apply a second coat if needed |
| Curing | Cure nails under a nail lamp between each coat |
| Top coat | Apply a top coat for durability and shine |
| Nail length | Keep nails long enough to see the demarcation between the nail tip and nail bed |
| Adornments | Add encapsulated glitter under the tips, or use nail stickers and simple dot flowers |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your nails by trimming, shaping, and buffing them
Preparing your nails is an important step in achieving the perfect jelly gel nail polish look. Here is a step-by-step guide to trimming, shaping, and buffing your nails:
Trimming: Start by trimming your nails to the desired length. If your nails extend beyond your fingertips, trim them first before proceeding to the filing and shaping stage. Use a nail clipper to cut your nails, ensuring they are all even and uniform. Trim them to match the length of the shortest nail for consistency.
Shaping: Next, shape your nails using a nail file. There are various shapes you can choose from, including square, round, and almond. For an almond or oval shape, use a 150 or 180-grit board file. Place the file straight against the sloping side of the nail and file in one direction to achieve the desired shape. You can also use the file to gently smooth out any rough edges.
Buffing: Once your nails are trimmed and shaped, it's time to buff them. Buffing helps to remove any remaining shine and creates a slightly rough finish, which allows the gel polish to adhere better. Use a multi-sided buffer and hold it parallel to your nail. Start by using the large grit side of the buffer to buff your nails gently in an X shape with unidirectional strokes. Each nail should only need 6-8 strokes to avoid over-buffing.
After buffing, use the finer grit side of the buffer to polish your nails, again using light unidirectional strokes in an X shape. Finish by using the smooth side of the buffer with light pressure in tiny circular motions to add shine to your nails.
Remember to cleanse your nails after buffing to remove any dust or oils. You can do this by wiping each nail with a cotton ball soaked in 91% alcohol.
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Clean your nails with a cotton ball soaked in 91% alcohol
To apply jelly gel nail polish, you'll need to start by cleaning your nails with a cotton ball soaked in 91% alcohol. This crucial step ensures your nails are perfectly clean and free of any lingering oils, dust, or old polish. Here's a detailed breakdown of the process:
Firstly, it's important to remove any previous nail polish. If you have existing gel nail polish, wrap your fingernails in aluminum foil, pressing an acetone-soaked cotton ball against each nail. Let the acetone soak in for about 10 minutes before removing the foil. This will help remove the old gel polish.
Next, trim and file your nails to achieve your desired length and shape. It's recommended to trim your nails to the length of the shortest one for an even look. Filing helps get rid of any rough edges, ensuring a smooth finish.
Once your nails are shaped, it's time to buff them. Buffing helps create an even surface and removes any remaining ridges or imperfections. After buffing, use a cotton ball soaked in 91% alcohol to wipe each nail. This step is essential as it removes any dust or oils that may interfere with the polish's adhesion.
Additionally, you can wash your hands with soap and water, scrubbing your nails and the surrounding areas with a nail scrubber brush. This step helps prepare your skin for cuticle trimming. When your hands are still damp, proceed with cuticle trimming. The dampness makes the cuticles softer and more translucent, making them easier to trim.
Finally, you can apply a cuticle softener to your cuticles. By following these steps, you will have clean and prepared nails, ready for the base coat and jelly gel nail polish application. Remember, the jelly nail trend is all about achieving a semi-translucent and see-through look, so ensure your natural nail line is well-maintained and clean.
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Apply a base coat and cure it under a UV or LED lamp
To apply jelly gel nail polish, you'll need to start by preparing your nails. This includes trimming, shaping, and buffing your nails, as well as removing any old polish and pushing back your cuticles. Once your nails are clean and neat, you can move on to applying the base coat.
Apply an even layer of base coat to each nail, one at a time. If you're using gel polish, it's important to ""cap" your nails by carefully applying the base coat to the tip of each nail as well. This will help improve adhesion and make your manicure last longer.
Once you've applied the base coat to all your nails, it's time to cure it under a UV or LED lamp. Place your hand under the lamp and make sure your middle finger reaches the embossed trackpad. Cure the base coat for 30 to 60 seconds. This step is crucial, as it sets the application and ensures a precise and long-lasting manicure.
After curing the base coat, you can move on to applying the colour. Depending on the desired translucency, you may need to apply multiple thin layers of jelly gel nail polish, curing each layer under the lamp for 60 seconds. Remember to work with a small amount of gel on your brush for a flawless application.
Finally, finish your manicure with a top coat. You can add encapsulated glitter or nail art decorations under the top coat for an extra touch of sparkle and creativity. Cure the top coat under the lamp for a final time, and admire your beautiful jelly gel nails!
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Mix a clear top coat with coloured polish to create jelly polish
To create your own jelly nail polish, you will need a clear top coat and a coloured polish. The polishes should be of the same type, either gel or nail lacquer. You will also need a shallow dish or nail art palette, and a separate brush to avoid mixing the colours inside the bottles.
In a small dish, mix two parts clear top coat with one part coloured polish. For example, if you use one drop of colour, use two drops of top coat. Stir well but gently to avoid creating bubbles, until the mixture is smooth and even. Add more top coat to make the colour more sheer, or more colour to deepen the hue.
You can also add a few drops of colour into a clear polish bottle, adding one drop at a time and mixing thoroughly before adding more. This way, you can store your jelly polish for later use.
Once you are happy with the colour, apply a thin layer of the jelly polish to your nails. Remember, jelly nails are translucent, so the shape of your natural nails may be visible. You can add another layer once the first has dried completely, repeating until you get the desired opacity. Finish with another layer of top coat for more durability and an extra shine.
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Apply the jelly polish and cure it under a lamp
Applying jelly gel nail polish is a fun way to give your nails a unique look. The jelly trend is characterised by a semi-translucent, see-through colour that gives your nails a ""squishy"" appearance and provides "a lot of depth".
To apply jelly gel nail polish, you will need to follow the steps below:
Apply the jelly polish:
- If you are using a pre-formulated jelly polish, brush it onto your nails and let it dry.
- If you are mixing your own jelly polish, combine a few drops of a clear top coat with a coloured polish. You can also add a drop of opaque cream polish for a more vibrant shade.
- Apply the jelly polish to your nails, working on one nail at a time.
- Apply thin layers to prevent bubbling and use long, fluid strokes to glide the gel down the sides of the nail to the tip.
- Apply at least two coats of jelly polish for better adhesion and to ensure the colour is opaque enough.
Cure it under a lamp:
- Cure the jelly polish under an LED lamp.
- Set the gel by curing each layer for 5 seconds under the LED lamp.
- Once the base is applied and set on all nails, cure for 60 seconds under the LED lamp.
- Ensure your hand is fully inside the lamp and that your middle finger reaches the embossed trackpad.
- You can add encapsulated glitter under the tips of your nails for a festive touch.
Jelly gel nail polish is a fun and creative way to express yourself and experiment with different colours and designs. Enjoy your new nails!
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Frequently asked questions
Jelly nails are a type of nail polish that is semi-translucent and see-through. The colour is usually a hint of opaque cream polish mixed with a clear top coat.
Before applying the polish, prepare your nails by trimming, shaping, and removing any old polish. Buff and clean your nails with a cotton ball soaked in 91% alcohol to remove any lingering oils or dust. Push back your cuticles and trim them if necessary.
If you are using gel polish, apply a gel base coat and cure it under a UV or LED lamp for 30-60 seconds. "Cap" your nails by carefully applying the base coat to the tip of each nail. Apply 2-3 thin layers of colour, curing each layer under the lamp. Finish with a top coat for added durability and shine.
You can jazz up your jelly nails by using nail stickers, simple dot flowers, or glitter. Try layering two jelly colours on the same nail to create a gradient effect, or use a different colour or design on your ring finger for an accent nail.
