Noah Sinclair
Creating gel nails with nail tips is a time-efficient way to do nail extensions. It is also a good method for beginners to try. To get started, you'll need to prepare your natural nails by removing any old nail polish, gel nails, or tips with acetone. Then, push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher and trim off any hangnails. Next, choose your nail tips, ensuring they fit your natural nails from sidewall to sidewall, and glue them on. You can then file and shape the tips as desired. Finally, apply your gel nail polish and cure under a UV or LED lamp.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prepare nails | Remove old nail polish, gel nails, or tips with acetone |
| Wash hands | |
| Push back cuticles with a cuticle pusher; soak hands in warm water beforehand to soften cuticles | |
| Remove shine from nails with a fine drill bit, buffer, or file | |
| File down any excess length of natural nails | |
| Choose nail tips | Pick a set of 10 or more tips in your desired shape and length (e.g. coffin, almond, stiletto, square, rounded, oval, or squoval) |
| Assign one nail tip to each natural nail, matching widths | |
| Apply nail tips | Brush nail glue onto the underside of the nail tip, then press the tip onto the natural nail, keeping the sides aligned |
| Cut the nail tip to the desired length with a nail nipper | |
| Remove excess glue with a lint-free cloth | |
| Apply gel | Apply a bead of builder gel to the stress point (where the nail tip meets the natural nail), then brush it evenly onto the entire nail surface |
| Cure the nail | |
| Apply a thin layer of one-step gel to the nail, cure again, then repeat | |
| File the nail's surface, sides, and end to remove excess gel and perfect the shape | |
| Clean the nail surface with isopropyl alcohol | |
| Apply colour |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your nails
Preparing your nails is a crucial step in achieving a firm gel hold. Start by sanitising your hands and removing any old nail polish, gel nails, or tips with acetone. Wash your hands to ensure that your natural nails are clean and free of any residue. Next, push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher. You can soften your cuticles by soaking your hands in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes before gently pushing them back with a metal or plastic cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick. Trim off any hangnails with a cuticle trimmer if necessary.
It is important to remove the shine from your natural nails to ensure that the gel will properly adhere. Use a buffing block or a fine drill bit to dull the nail plate, including the sides and edges. Continue buffing until the entire surface is matte and slightly rough. Then, wipe your nails with a gel cleanser to eliminate any remaining dust and natural oils. Saturate a cotton pad with the gel cleanser and rub it across each nail until they feel clean and dry.
Before applying the nail tips, you should also file your natural nails to ensure they are at a manageable length. File down any excess length, focusing on achieving a smooth and even shape. Additionally, if your chosen nail tips do not already fit your natural nails from sidewall to sidewall, you may need to file the sides of the nail tips for a perfect match. Remember to remove any dust generated during the filing process by wiping your nails with alcohol or isopropyl alcohol.
Finally, select nail tips that align with your desired manicure style. You can choose from various shapes, including coffin, almond, stiletto, square, rounded, oval, and squoval. Assign one nail tip to each of your natural nails, ensuring that the widths match perfectly. The edges of the nail tip should align seamlessly with the sidewalls of your natural nail. Once you have found the correct sizes and shapes, you are ready to move on to the next step of applying the gel nail tips.
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Choose the right nail tips
Choosing the right nail tips is crucial for achieving the perfect gel manicure. Here are some detailed instructions to help you select the most suitable nail tips for your gel nails:
First, it is important to understand the difference between nail tips and nail forms. Nail tips are plastic-shaped tips that are glued onto the top of your natural nails to extend their length and enhance their appearance. On the other hand, nail forms are like stickers that attach to the underside of your natural nails, and the gel or acrylic is applied directly to them. Nail forms are customisable and tend to look more natural, but nail tips are easier for beginners.
When selecting the right nail tips, size is the top priority. If the size doesn't match your natural nails, the tips can easily fall off. Measure the width of your nails at their widest point and compare these measurements to the sizes of the gel tips. Choose a set of 10 or more tips to ensure you have a range of sizes to find your perfect fit. If your nail size falls in between two sizes, it is recommended to go for the larger size.
Next, consider the shape of your nail tips. Popular shapes include coffin, almond, stiletto, square, rounded, oval, and squoval. The shape you choose depends on your personal preference and the style of manicure you desire.
Lastly, opt for clear or natural-coloured tips rather than white ones. Clear and natural tips are more versatile and easier to work with, as they come in a variety of shapes and lengths. White tips require extra preparation to get the gel to bond properly.
By following these guidelines and choosing the right nail tips, you'll be well on your way to achieving stylish and sturdy gel nails.
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Apply nail glue
To apply nail glue for gel nail tips, start by ensuring your natural nails are clean and free of any polish or gel residue. Use a buffing block to roughen the surface of your natural nails, creating a dull finish. This step is crucial as gel won't bond properly to a shiny nail surface. You can also use a gel cleanser to wipe your nails, removing any dust or oils that may interfere with the adhesion of the glue.
Once your natural nails are prepared, it's time to apply the nail glue. Select a nail tip that matches the width of your natural nail, ensuring the edges of the tip align with your sidewalls. Brush a small amount of nail glue into the well on the underside of the nail tip. You can find specialised nail tips gel glue that is long-lasting and requires curing under a UV/LED lamp, similar to gel polish.
Carefully press the glued well area down onto your natural nail tip, maintaining perfect alignment between the sides of your nail and the tip. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure a secure bond. Repeat this process for each nail, gluing the tips onto the ends of your natural nails.
After gluing on the nail tips, you can proceed with the gel manicure. Apply the gel layers from your cuticle to the free edge of the fake nail tip, and then cure the gel under a UV or LED nail lamp. Remember to shape and refine the edges of your nails with a nail file to achieve a neat and professional finish.
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Cure the gel
Curing the gel is an important step in the process of gel nail tips. Gel nail tips are pre-shaped artificial nails made of plastic that require a UV or LED light to cure. The curing process involves placing the nails under a UV or LED lamp, which helps to harden and set the gel, ensuring a long-lasting and chip-free manicure.
To cure the gel, start by applying a thin base coat of primer gel from your cuticle to the free edge of the nail. Use a flat, narrow brush to apply the gel evenly. Once the base coat is applied, place your nails under a UV or LED lamp and allow the gel to cure for the recommended time. The curing time can vary depending on the type of lamp and the manufacturer's instructions. For example, under an LED lamp, the gel may need to cure for about 30 seconds, while a UV lamp can take up to 3 minutes.
After the first coat has cured, you can apply a second coat of gel and cure it in the same way. Allow the second coat to cure for about 2 minutes under a UV lamp or about 30 seconds under an LED lamp. Once both coats have cured, you will be left with a sticky dispersion layer on top. This can be removed by gently wiping the nails with a cotton pad saturated with gel cleanser. Continue wiping until all tackiness is removed, leaving a smooth gel surface.
Finally, apply a top coat of finishing gel. Sweep a thin layer of the gel from your cuticle to the free edge of each nail, following the same application technique as the base coat. Place your nails under the UV or LED lamp once more and allow the top coat to cure for the recommended time. After curing, you can add additional nail art or standard nail polish if desired.
It is important to note that while gel nail tips can provide a long-lasting and stylish manicure, they can also have potential negative effects on nail health. Repeated use of gel nails can lead to nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking. Additionally, the UV radiation used to cure the gel polish can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands. To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to limit gel manicures to special occasions and to be proactive about nail care, such as taking breaks between manicures and applying moisturising products to the nails and cuticles.
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Finish with colour
Now it's time to finish with colour! Choose your favourite shade of lacquer, gel polish, or dip powder. You can also add some sparkle to your manicure by applying crystals. To do this, apply a small amount of V Diamond Gel with a dotting tool to the area where you want to place the crystals. Then, carefully press the crystals into the gel and cure your nails for 60 seconds under an LED lamp.
If you're happy with the shape of your nails, simply apply your chosen colour with a brush, making sure to keep the shape of the nail. You can also use a nail art brush to create detailed designs. Once you've finished painting, cure your nails under a UV or LED lamp according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If you want to add some extra strength to your nails, you can apply a builder gel before adding colour. Apply a bead of builder gel to the stress point—the area where the nail tip meets your natural nail. Brush the gel evenly onto the entire surface of the nail, then cure your nails.
Finally, finish with a top coat to protect your colour and add shine. Apply a thin layer of top coat to each nail and cure under a UV or LED lamp. Now you can show off your beautiful, professional-looking gel manicure!
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Frequently asked questions
Start with clean, polish-free nails. Remove any old nail polish, gel nails, or tips with acetone. Push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher. Remove shine from nails with a fine drill bit or buffer/file. File down any excess length of your natural nail.
Choose natural or clear tips in your desired shape and length. Avoid white tips as these require more preparation. Assign one nail tip to each of your natural nails, matching the widths. Glue the tips onto the ends of your natural nails, keeping the sides in alignment.
Remove excess glue with a lint-free cloth. File the nail tip to your desired length with a nail nipper. Fade the nail tip into the natural nail with an e-file. Remove any remaining dust with a brush.
Apply a bead of builder gel to the area where the nail tip meets the natural nail. Brush the gel evenly across the entire surface of the nail. Cure the nail under a UV or LED lamp. Apply a thin layer of one-step gel and cure the nail again. Finish with a final layer of gel and cure once more. File the nail to your desired shape with a nail file and buffer.
