Liam Carter
Creating gel nails with nail tips is a time-efficient way to do nail extensions at home. Before applying the gel, you'll need to prep your nails by pushing back your cuticles, filing and buffing your nails, and cleaning the surface of your natural nails. You can then apply a base coat, followed by 2-3 layers of colour, and a top coat. Each layer of nail gel should be cured under a UV or LED lamp. Finally, you can apply the nail tips, which should be glued on at a 45-degree angle against the end of the natural nail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail prep | Push back cuticles, file and buff nails, clean the surface of the natural nails, remove dust with a lint-free wipe |
| Nail tips | Assign one nail tip to each natural nail, matching the widths, glue the tips onto the ends of the natural nails, cut the nail tip to the desired length |
| Primer gel | Paint on a thin base coat of primer gel from the cuticle to the free edge of the nail, use a flat, narrow brush |
| Gel nail polish | Apply 2-3 layers of colour coat, use a UV/LED lamp to cure the gel, each layer cures in 60 seconds |
| Top coat | Paint on a thin coat of finishing gel, cure your nails under a UV or LED lamp |
| Removal | Use nail polish remover, gel nail polish remover, or manicure removal clips |
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What You'll Learn
Nail prep: file, buff, and clean natural nails
Preparing your nails is crucial to achieving a professional-looking gel manicure at home. Here is a step-by-step guide to filing, buffing, and cleaning your natural nails to ensure a long-lasting and beautiful gel manicure.
Step 1: Cut and Shape Your Nails
Start by cutting your nails to your desired length using a nail cutter, especially if you have extra-long nail extensions. Then, use a nail file to shape your nails into your desired shape, such as round, pointed, square, almond, or oval. You can use either an emery board or a glass file for this step. When filing, always start from the sides of your nails and work towards the centre. Be gentle and avoid over-filing, as this can damage your nails and make them more susceptible to infection.
Step 2: Push Back Your Cuticles
Use a cuticle pusher to gently push back your cuticles. This step is important as it gives you better access to your entire nail bed and helps your manicure stay on more firmly. Make sure to only do this after shaping your nails to avoid getting them dirty again.
Step 3: Clean Your Nails
Use cleanser wipes or lint-free pads soaked in acetone to clean your nail plates. This ensures that your nails are free of grease, dirt, and dead skin cells, which can cause your gel manicure to peel or chip prematurely. A product like CND Nail Fresh can help reduce lifting.
Step 4: Buff Your Nails (Optional)
You may also choose to gently buff your nails using a soft file to create a rough surface. This step helps the gel polish adhere better to your natural nails. However, be careful not to buff too aggressively, as it may damage your nails.
Step 5: Apply a Base Coat
Before applying your gel polish, it is recommended to use a base coat. This will not only help your manicure last longer but also protect your natural nails from staining, especially when using highly pigmented colours. Make sure to avoid applying the base coat to your cuticles, as this can lead to premature peeling or lifting. Allow the base coat to air dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
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Apply nail tips: cut to size, glue, and press
Applying gel nail tips at home is an easy process. You can achieve the look of long nails without the trouble of growing them out naturally. To apply nail tips, you will need to cut them to size, glue them, and press them onto your natural nails.
Firstly, cut your nail tips to the desired length. Nail tips are usually quite long, so you will probably need to trim them down a little before shaping them. Use clippers or nail scissors to cut them down, ensuring you cut straight across. If you want square-tipped nails, it is important to cut straight. However, for almond or stiletto-shaped nails, you can cut off part of the sides. It is recommended to cut a little less than you think you need to, as you can always file more length away later.
Next, apply the glue. You can use brush-on or potted glue, but for ease of application, a brush is preferred. Apply the adhesive gel to the curved edge of the nail tip and press it about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) from the end of your natural nail. Hold it down for around 5 seconds to give the adhesive gel time to bond. You can also apply gentle pressure to the centre of the nail and hold for a few seconds to ensure the nail tip is secure.
Finally, bend and shape the nail tips. The nail tips may look a bit stiff and straight, so gently press and squeeze the edges of the nails to give them a more natural curve. Place your index finger and thumb on either side of the nail tip and gently squeeze a few times. Repeat this for all your nails. Then, use a file to shape your nails into your desired shape.
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Roughen nail tips and natural nails with a buffer block
To prepare your nails for gel application, you'll need to roughen up the shiny surface of your natural nails and the nail tips. This is done by using a buffer block to file and buff your nails. You can use a regular nail file, or an e-file, which is an electronic nail file. Filing roughens the surface of your nails and provides the perfect canvas for gel adherence.
Before you begin filing, make sure you have prepped your nails. This includes pushing back your cuticles and cleaning the surface of your natural nails with alcohol. Do not use water while prepping your nails. Once you have finished filing, wipe away the buffing dust with a lint-free wipe soaked in nail polish remover.
When using a buffer block, apply gentle, soft motions with the file and avoid using too much pressure. You only want to roughen the surface of your nails, not reshape them. The line where your natural nail and the tip meet should be filed down so that it disappears. You can also shape the sides of the nail by filing the edges and slightly underneath the nail.
After you have finished filing and buffing, the entire surface of your natural nail and nail tip should be dulled down. Remove any remaining dust with a gel cleanser and a manicure brush. Saturate a cotton pad with gel cleanser and wipe down each nail. Then, follow up with a manicure brush to swipe off any remaining dust and residue.
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Apply gel: base coat, colour, and top coat
Before applying the gel, ensure that the nail tips are glued on securely and that the surface of your natural nails and the tips are dulled down. You can do this by using a buffing block to roughen up the shiny surface. Then, remove any dust with a gel cleanser and a manicure brush.
Now you're ready to apply the gel. First, apply 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. Start with one stroke in the centre of your nail, then work outwards in parallel strokes on either side.
Next, apply 2-3 layers of colour coat in the same way as the base coat.
Finally, apply a thin layer of top coat, again from your cuticle to the free edge of the nail. Start in the centre of the nail and then move to the sides. After applying the top coat, cure your nails under a UV or LED drying lamp for the manufacturer's recommended time.
If you notice any bumps or flaws after curing, use a nail file to smooth out any imperfections. Then, wipe away any dust with a gel cleanser-soaked cotton pad and a manicure brush.
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Cure nails under a UV or LED lamp
Curing your nails under a UV or LED lamp is the final step in the process of gel nail application. This process involves hardening or 'curing' the gel polish using UV wavelengths. Both LED and UV nail lamps emit UV wavelengths, but they are not the same. UV (ultraviolet) lamps are an older technology that emits a broader spectrum of wavelengths and offer an average cure time of 2 minutes. They are budget-friendly and the bulbs are inexpensive to replace. However, UV bulbs don't last as long and typically need to be changed after 10,000 hours. The curing time takes longer (2-10 minutes) and there are health concerns associated with skin exposure to UV light.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamps are a newer technology and are more expensive than UV lamps. LED lamps typically last longer, with bulbs that can last up to 50,000 hours. They are also safer to use than UV lamps as they do not expose the skin to UV light. LED lamps are relatively easy and inexpensive to maintain and are designed for both manicures and pedicures. They cure gel polish faster than UV lamps, with a cure time of around 30 seconds.
When choosing between a UV or LED lamp, consider your budget, the cure time, and any health concerns you may have about UV light exposure. If you are using a gel polish that is designed for UV nail lamps, an LED lamp may not work. In this case, you may need to purchase a UV/LED nail lamp, which has both LED and UV bulbs, allowing you to switch between the two types of gel polish.
To cure your nails under the lamp, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your chosen lamp. Ensure that you protect your hands from UVA exposure, as recommended by medical professionals.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need files, a buffer block, a cuticle pusher/remover, acetone, 80% isopropyl alcohol, a lamp, a base coat, the tips, and a top coat.
You need to prep your natural nails by filing, buffing, pushing the cuticles back, and cleaning the surface of the natural nails. Remove all dirt and oils from the nails with alcohol.
First, find a tip that matches the width of your natural nail. Apply a small amount of nail glue to the underside of the tip and press it onto your natural nail, keeping the sides in alignment. Use a nail nipper to trim the tip to your desired length.
Paint on a thin base coat of primer gel from your cuticle to the free edge. Then, apply 2-3 layers of colour coat. Finish with a top coat layer. Cure each layer of nail gel for 60 seconds under a UV or LED lamp.
