Liam Carter
Gel-X nails are a popular nail service, offering an upgraded version of press-on nails. They are easy to apply, durable, and long-lasting. The process involves applying a base coat, curing the nails under a UV/LED lamp, and then applying nail polish and a top coat. To add nail art, you can use a nail stamper or freehand designs with nail art gel liner. The final step is to cure the nails one last time. Doing your own Gel-X nails can be more affordable and convenient than going to a salon, and with the right products and technique, you can achieve professional-looking results at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Much cheaper than going to a salon |
| Time | Takes around 5-7 minutes per nail |
| Removal | Can be removed with acetone or hot water and soap |
| Durability | Lasts 3-4 weeks |
| Products | Nail prep, base coat, top coat, nail glue, nail tips, UV LED lamp, nail stamper, cuticle trimmer, nail file, nail primer/dehydrator, gloves |
| Process | Apply a base coat, cure, apply two coats of nail polish, cure, apply nail stamper, cure, apply top coat, cure |
| Health | Softer gel is better for nail health than hard gel |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your nails by removing cuticles, dirt and debris
Preparing your nails is a crucial step in achieving long-lasting and flawless gel X nails. It involves removing cuticles, dirt, and debris to create a clean surface for the gel polish to adhere properly. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing your nails for gel X nails:
Remove Existing Nail Polish: Start by removing any existing nail polish using a nail polish remover. Ensure that you thoroughly clean your nails to get rid of any residue.
Shape Your Nails: Use a nail file to shape your nails to your desired length and shape. You can opt for a square, round, or almond shape, depending on your preference.
Push Back Cuticles: Using a cuticle remover solution, soften your cuticles and then gently push them back with a metal or wooden cuticle pusher. Be careful not to nip any live skin around your nails, as it can cause bleeding and infection.
Remove Dead Skin: Use cuticle nippers to remove any lifted or dead skin around the nails. This step helps to keep your cuticles neat and tidy and prevents the gel polish from lifting.
Buff Your Nails: Gently buff your nails with a fine-grit buffer in one direction from edge to edge. Buffing creates a slightly rough surface for better adhesion and helps remove any dust or debris from the nail bed.
Cleanse and Dehydrate: Use a lint-free wipe soaked in a prep and wipe solution to cleanse and dehydrate your nails, removing any residual dirt, oil, or moisture. You can also use pre-soaked prep and shine wipes for this step.
Moisturize: Apply cuticle oil or a moisturizing cream to your cuticles to keep them hydrated and prevent dryness.
By following these steps, you will create a clean and healthy base for your gel X nails, ensuring that they adhere properly and last longer.
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Use a nail dehydrator to remove oils from the nail bed
When doing your own gel X nails, it is important to use a nail dehydrator to remove oils from the nail bed. This is because the nail dehydrator ensures that your nails are free of any excess oils and moisture, creating the perfect base for your nail polish to adhere to. Without this step, you may find that your nail polish does not last as long, as it is more likely to chip, peel, or lift.
Nail dehydrators are often referred to as nail prep and are applied before any base coat, gel polish, or nail enhancements. They are quick and easy to use and can be applied by simply brushing the solution onto your nails and letting it air dry for a few seconds. You will know it is ready for the next step when your nails have a matte finish.
It is important to note that nail dehydrators should be used after you have pushed back your cuticles and shaped your nails. Additionally, if you are using a nail primer, it is recommended to apply the nail dehydrator first, as applying it in reverse can interfere with the primer's effectiveness.
If you are unable to find a nail dehydrator, you can use rubbing alcohol (91% or higher) or 100% pure acetone as an alternative. However, using nail polish remover or acetone is not ideal, as it can negatively impact the adhesion of your nail polish.
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Apply a base coat and cure under a UV/LED lamp
Before applying a base coat, it is important to prepare your nails. Remove any cuticles, dirt, and debris to give your gel nail a clean surface to adhere to. You can use a cuticle remover solution, a cuticle pusher, and a cuticle clipper. Then, clean the nail bed with alcohol or nail cleanser to remove any dust from buffing and ensure there are no oils or residue.
Now, you can apply a thin layer of base coat to each nail. This will create an adhesive bond to your nail and ensure that your gel nail colour does not damage or stain your natural nail. Make sure the base polish is applied evenly and smoothly, with no drips, clumps, or globs, as these will slow down the drying time.
Next, cure the base coat under a UV/LED lamp. Place your hand under the lamp, ensuring your thumb is included, and set the timer for 30 seconds to 1 minute. If you are using a mini UV LED lamp, you may need to cure each nail individually. Cure each nail for 60 seconds.
Once the base coat is cured, you can move on to the colour coat. Apply a thin layer of gel colour to each nail, avoiding the cuticles, and cap the tips. Cure each hand under the lamp for another 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat this step with another thin layer of gel polish.
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Apply two coats of colour and cure after each coat
When applying the colour, it's important to apply two thin coats of your chosen colour, curing each coat for 60 seconds. You can use a regular-sized UV LED lamp to cure all your nails at the same time. Don't forget to protect your hands with gloves.
If you are creating a French manicure, you can add the French tip design after curing the second coat of colour. Use a nail stamper and white gel polish to create the design, then cure your nails again. You can also add other designs with nail art gel liner sets.
If you are not creating a French manicure, you can finish with a matte or glossy top coat after curing the second coat of colour. Then, cure your nails one final time.
If you are using the Aprés Nails Gel-X System, you can apply two layers of normal nail polish and wait for it to dry before applying the Aprés Top Gelcoat, which makes the manicure last as long as gel. Before curing, you can add some flat-back gems for extra customisation.
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Finish with a matte or glossy top coat and cure for the final time
Once you're happy with your gel polish, it's time to finish your manicure with a top coat. You can choose a matte or glossy finish, depending on your preference. Apply your chosen top coat to each nail, and then cure your nails for the final time.
If you're using a UV LED lamp, hold your hand under the light for around 60 seconds to cure the top coat. You can also cure gel nails using an LED lamp, which may be faster. Be sure to check the instructions for your specific product to know how long to cure your nails for.
After curing, your gel manicure is complete! You can finish with some cuticle oil to keep your nails and the surrounding skin nourished.
When you're ready to remove your gel nails, you can do so at home without needing to go to a salon. To remove gel nails, you'll need to soak your nails in acetone. You can either soak your nails directly in a bowl of acetone or wrap them in foil after soaking a cotton ball in acetone and placing it on your nail. Let your nails soak for around 15-20 minutes, and then use an orange stick to gently scrape the gel off your nails. If you don't have acetone, you can also use hot, soapy water to soak your nails and break down the gel.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a UV/LED lamp, gloves, nail glue, nail tips, gel polish, a nail stamper, a nail file, and cuticle oil. You can also buy a starter kit, which includes four gel application products, an LED lamp, a charger, a nail file, and a set of tips.
Remove any old gel or dip powder with an electric nail drill. Then, use a cuticle pusher to remove excess cuticle. Next, buff the nail surface to create a rough texture for better adhesion. Finally, wipe your nails with alcohol or nail cleanser, followed by a nail dehydrator to remove oils.
Apply a thin layer of builder gel to your natural nails and cure under a UV/LED lamp. Apply primer to the inside of each nail tip, then apply builder gel to the bottom half of the tip. Add a small bead of gel to the center of the tip, then press the tip onto your nail at a 45-degree angle. Cure for 15 seconds, then move to the next nail. Once all tips are applied, cure for 60 seconds.
File the surface of your nails to remove the shiny top layer. Soak cotton balls in 100% acetone and wrap them around your nails with aluminum foil. Let your nails soak for 10-20 minutes, then gently scrape off the gel with an orange stick. Alternatively, you can soak your nails in hot water with a couple of squirts of dish soap for 10-15 minutes to break down the gel.
