Caleb Foster
OPI Gel Nails are a long-lasting, chip-free manicure option that can be done at home. The process is quite easy and involves cleaning your nails, applying an OPI bonding agent, and then using an LED light to cure the polish. OPI Gel Nails can be removed by soaking cotton balls in acetone and applying them to your nails for around 10 minutes, or by using OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover and OPI Expert Touch Removal Wraps. With a wide range of shades to choose from, OPI Gel Nails offer a professional-quality manicure that can be achieved in the comfort of your own home.
How to do OPI Gel Nails at Home
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Removal | Soak nails in acetone for 10-30 minutes. |
| Use OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover and OPI Expert Touch Removal Wraps. | |
| Use a gel removal tool. | |
| File the nail to remove the shine and break the top coat. | |
| Application | Start with clean, prepped nails. |
| Apply OPI GelColor base coat and allow to dry. | |
| Apply 2 thin coats of OPI GelColor, leaving a tiny margin around the cuticle area. | |
| Cap the free edge to prevent shrinkage and seal in the colour. | |
| Cure each coat for 30 seconds in the Dual Cure LED Light. | |
| Apply a thin coat of OPI GelColor Top Coat, leaving a tiny margin around the cuticle area. | |
| Cure for 30 seconds in the Dual Cure LED Light. | |
| Art | Use a fine nail art brush or dotting tool to create delicate floral designs. |
| Seal with a top coat. | |
| Lamp | Use an LED lamp to cure the polish. |
| A 45-watt lamp should be sufficient. |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping your nails
Clean Your Nails: Start by thoroughly cleaning your nails to remove any dirt or residue. You can use a buffing block to gently buff your nails, but make sure there is no nail dust remaining in the nail bed. If you prefer, you can also use nail clippers and a file to shape and clean your nails.
Cuticle Care: Cuticle care is an important part of nail preparation. Gently push back your cuticles using a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick. You can also carefully trim your cuticles with cuticle nippers if needed, but be cautious not to cut live skin. Proper cuticle care will help create a clean canvas for your gel manicure.
Nail Preparation: After cleaning and shaping your nails, you may want to apply an OPI bonding agent. This step is optional but can help the gel adhere more strongly to your nails. Make sure to follow the instructions on the product and allow adequate time for the bonding agent to dry before proceeding to the next step.
Base Coat: Once your nails are prepped, it's time to apply the OPI GelColor base coat. This step is crucial as it provides a foundation for the gel polish and helps it adhere properly to your nails. Apply a thin coat evenly, being careful not to flood the cuticle area. Allow the base coat to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Cure with LED Light: OPI GelColor requires curing with an LED light to provide long-lasting results. Place your nails under the OPI LED Light or a similar LED lamp. The curing process typically takes around 30 seconds to one minute per coat, depending on the product instructions. Make sure to follow the timing recommendations for the best results.
By following these steps, you will have properly prepped nails that are ready for the application of OPI gel nail polish. Remember to work in a well-ventilated area and always refer to the safety guidelines and instructions provided by OPI for the best outcome. With the right tools and techniques, you can achieve professional-looking gel nails in the comfort of your own home.
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Applying the base coat
To apply the base coat for OPI gel nails at home, start by making sure your nails are properly prepped. Remove any old nail polish and clean your nails with a buffing block, nail clippers, and a file. You can also buff your nails, but make sure there is no nail dust remaining in the nail bed. If you want the gel to adhere more strongly, you can apply an OPI bonding agent at this point.
Next, open your bottle of OPI GelColor base coat and shake it vigorously for one minute to ensure the product is fully dispersed. Apply one thin coat evenly, being careful not to flood the cuticle area, and be sure to cap the free edge. Cure for 30 seconds in the Dual Cure LED Light.
It is important to note that OPI GelColor requires a specific light to be used during drying to achieve long-lasting results. A genuine gel nail polish like OPI requires an LED light to cure. The OPI LED Light will cure the polish in approximately four minutes per set.
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Applying the colour
When applying the colour, make sure to shake the bottle vigorously for one minute to ensure the product is fully dispersed. Apply two thin coats, leaving a tiny margin around the cuticle area. Cap the free edge to prevent shrinkage. Cure each coat for 30 seconds in the Dual Cure LED Light.
It is important to note that the OPI GelColor requires a specific light to be used during drying to provide long-lasting effects. Using the OPI Dual Cure LED Light, the polish will cure in approximately 30 seconds per coat. All regular gel polishes require a lamp, and those that do not require a UV/LED light are simply regular polishes marketed as "gel-like" and may not produce the desired results.
If you wish to add some creativity to your manicure, you can use a fine nail art brush or dotting tool to create beautiful designs. Seal your design with a top coat to achieve the perfect OPI gel nails.
Remember to always follow the safety guidelines and instructions provided by OPI to ensure the best outcome.
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Sealing with a top coat
Once your nails are prepped, apply the OPI GelColor base coat and allow it to dry. After the base coat, you can apply your chosen OPI GelColor shade. Shake the bottle vigorously for one minute before applying two thin coats, leaving a tiny margin around the cuticle area. Cap the free edge to prevent shrinkage and cure each coat for 30 seconds under an LED light.
Finally, it is time to seal in the colour with a top coat. Shake the OPI GelColor Top Coat bottle vigorously for one minute. Apply one thin coat, again leaving a tiny margin around the cuticle area. Cap the free edge to seal in the colour, and cure for 30 seconds under the LED light. This final step will ensure your OPI gel manicure is long-lasting and chip-free.
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Removing the gel polish
Another method is to soak your nails in acetone. You can do this by soaking cotton balls or cotton rounds in acetone and applying them to your nails for around 10 minutes. You can also wrap your nails in foil after applying the acetone-soaked cotton to help the process. It may take up to 25-30 minutes for the gel polish to come off, and you can speed up the process by lightly filing your nails first to break the seal before soaking.
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Frequently asked questions
OPI gel nails can last up to three weeks.
You will need an LED light, cotton balls or wraps, acetone, and an OPI GelColor base and top coat. You may also want to use a buffing block, nail clippers, and a file to prep your nails.
Start by removing any previous nail polish and cleaning your nails. If you wish to buff your nails, make sure that no nail dust remains in the nail bed. You can also apply an OPI bonding agent so that the gel will adhere more strongly.
First, apply the OPI GelColor base coat to your nails and allow it to dry. Next, apply two thin coats of your chosen OPI GelColor shade, leaving a tiny margin around the cuticle area. Cap the free edge to prevent shrinkage and cure each coat for 30 seconds in the Dual Cure LED Light. Finally, apply one thin coat of the OPI GelColor top coat, again leaving a tiny margin around the cuticle area, and cure for 30 seconds in the Dual Cure LED Light.
To remove OPI gel nail polish, you can use the OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover and OPI Expert Touch Removal Wraps. Saturate the wraps in the remover and then place them over your nails, wrapping them around each finger. Place your hands with the wraps attached into the OPI Mitts and allow 15 minutes before checking. If needed, you can re-saturate the pad and wrap again for an additional 5 minutes, and then gently push the gel polish off. Alternatively, you can soak cotton balls or cotton rounds in acetone and apply them to your nails for around 10-30 minutes. You can also lightly file the middle of each nail first to break the seal and speed up the process.
