Liam Carter
Getting a gel manicure is a great way to ensure your nails look sleek and stylish for weeks. However, as your nails grow, a gap will start to form between the cuticle and the enhancement, which can look unsightly. Luckily, there are several ways to fill in grown-out gel nails at home, saving you time and money. From negative space manicures to simple touch-ups with nail polish, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can even use household items like acetone and tin foil to remove the gel nails with minimal risk to your natural nails. So, whether you're a fan of the classic French manicure or prefer something more bold and glittery, you can keep your nails looking their best until your next salon visit.
How to fill in grown-out gel nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to hide growth gap | Use regular nail polish, glitter nail polish, or negative space manicure |
| Tools | Nail buffer, nail file, nail polish, gel polish, cotton balls, tinfoil, acetone, cuticle pusher, cuticle nippers, lint-free nail wipe, nail prep solution, nail dehydrator |
| Steps | Buff the entire nail, file the edges, apply a base coat, apply gel polish in fine layers, cure under a lamp, wipe with acetone, buff, apply another coat, sculpt the nails |
| Tips | Avoid water and strenuous activities, use a Builder Gel base for Builder Gel nails, use Magic Extender Gel Base for Magic Extender Gel nails, use Fix 'N' Flash Tips for both |
| Nail growth rate | 0.7 to 1 mm per week or 3.47 mm per month, varies depending on age, hormone levels, and overall health |
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What You'll Learn
Negative space manicures
A negative space manicure can be done in many ways. For example, you can add a little sparkle to your nails by leaving some negative space, or you can try a design with thin vertical lines from the middle of your nail to the tip, which will look fresh for weeks because the negative space at the cuticle prevents the manicure from looking grown out. You can also try a few diagonal stripes in the same colour family, which is simple yet impactful.
If you want to add some personality to a traditional red manicure, try painting wavy designs only near the cuticle and the tip while keeping the middle clear. For a subtle twist, try wedges of negative space with a brown manicure. Alternatively, you can try a black and white negative space manicure, which looks like a tuxedo for your nails.
To do a negative space manicure at home, you can follow these steps:
- Use a nail buffer to gently buff the entire nail. This breaks the seal on the topcoat and allows your new polish to adhere better to the old application.
- Use a nail file to level off the edges of the chip to create an even base for the new polish.
- Apply a base coat to the chipped area, just as you would when preparing your full nail for a gel manicure. This will enhance the adhesion and make the new polish last longer.
- Once your base coat is dry, apply your gel polish in fine layers, ensuring each layer is fully dry before applying the next to prevent air bubbles from forming.
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Use regular nail polish to hide growth gaps
If you have gel manicures, you will know how long to expect them to last before they need retouching or removing. However, if you can't get to a nail salon, you can take some quick steps to prolong your manicure. One way to do this is to use regular nail polish to hide growth gaps.
Growth gaps can be challenging to hide, especially if you have gel colour on your nails. A simple way to disguise these gaps is to add a pop of regular nail polish. For block colours, match your regular polish to your manicured gel polish colour and simply fill the gap. If you have a patterned design, you can extend the pattern onto your natural nail with regular polish or choose the most prominent colour and fill the gap with that. Alternatively, for a bolder look, you could fill the gap with a contrasting colour to create a statement design.
Glitter nail polish is an excellent option for disguising growth gaps as it is extremely adhesive and easy to apply. Its chunky, uneven application can easily hide any lines where the regular polish meets the gel polish. This method gives your gel manicure a fresh new look.
If you want to cover a chip in your gel manicure, you can use a nail buffer to gently buff the entire nail. This breaks the seal on the topcoat and allows the new polish to adhere better. Next, use a nail file to level the edges of the chip, creating an even base for the new polish. Apply a base coat to the chipped area, then, once dry, apply your gel polish in fine layers, ensuring each layer is dry before adding the next to prevent air bubbles.
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Buff and file nails
Buffing and filing are important steps in the process of filling in grown-out gel nails. Here is a detailed guide on how to buff and file your nails effectively:
Before filling in your chipped polish, use a nail buffer to gently buff the entire nail. This step helps break the seal on the top coat, allowing your new polish to adhere better to the old application. Be sure to use a gentle touch and avoid creating heat from friction. You can use a buffer block with a grit of 100 to 120, which will be rough enough to create the necessary surface texture without damaging your nails. The goal is to slightly roughen the surface of your nails so that the gel has something to adhere to.
When buffing, hold the buffing side of the buffer block parallel to your nail and stroke it across each nail in an X shape. Avoid buffing side-to-side as this can dry out your nails and cause damage. You can also use the buffer to address any ridges on your nails, smoothing down the surface and creating a more even base for the new polish.
After buffing, you can use a nail file to level off the edges of any chips and create an even smoother base. Use a softer file to gently go over your natural nail and remove any product or gel that is lifting. Ensure you are filing in one direction only to avoid damaging your nails. You can also use the file to neaten up the shape of your nails and address any bumps.
By properly buffing and filing your nails, you can effectively prepare them for a new gel polish application, helping to prolong your manicure until your next appointment.
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Cuticle care and prep
Once you're satisfied that most of your gel has been filed down, you can move on to cuticle care and prep. After a few weeks of wearing gel nails, your cuticles will most likely have grown back, which can lead to your nails looking messy and causing the polish to lift and peel. Use a cuticle pusher to gently push back the skin, being firm but not too harsh. You should also trim any dead white skin to neaten your nails using cuticle nippers. Please note: only trim the dead skin from your nails; never cut live skin. Cutting live skin can leave your skin open to bacteria and cause infections.
After prepping your cuticles, you'll need to buff the nails being infilled, just as you would before a regular gel polish application. Buffing is a crucial step in any gel polish application process because it gives the gel better adhesion to the nail plate. Once you've finished buffing, use a lint-free nail wipe to remove any dust and wipe down the nail plate with a prep solution to remove any dust, dirt, and oils before applying your gel. Before applying your gel, you'll need to dehydrate your nail surface using a nail prep dehydrator. Simply glide the dehydrator onto your nails and leave it to air dry.
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Using a UV or LED lamp
Preparation:
Before using a UV or LED lamp, it's important to gather the necessary materials, including the lamp, a base coat, colour, top coat, cotton pads or balls, and nail cleanser or rubbing alcohol. Ensure your nails are clean, dry, and free of any residue, lotion, or oils. You can use a cotton pad soaked in nail cleanser or rubbing alcohol to wipe your nails and create a clean slate for the gel polish.
Applying the Base Coat:
Start by applying a thin layer of base coat to each nail. This step is essential as it creates an adhesive bond, ensuring that the gel nail colour does not damage or stain your natural nail. Once the base coat is applied, it's time to cure it under the UV or LED lamp. Place your hand inside the lamp, ensuring your fingers are relatively flat, and cure for 30 to 60 seconds, following the lamp's specific instructions. Some lamps have preset buttons for different curing times, while others feature a smart timer that automatically starts when you place your hand inside.
Applying the Colour Coat:
After the base coat is cured, it's time to add some colour! Apply a very thin layer of gel colour to each nail, carefully avoiding the cuticles. Remember to cap the tips of your nails. You can use an angled brush dipped in acetone to clean up the edges and the area around the cuticle, preventing any polish build-up that could lift as your nails grow out. Once you're happy with the colour application, cure each hand under the UV or LED lamp for 30 to 60 seconds, or as recommended by the lamp's instructions. Repeat this step with another thin layer of gel polish for a more intense and pigmented look.
Applying the Top Coat:
To add shine and protection to your manicure, apply a thin layer of gel top coat to each nail. This step will give your nails a high-shine, glossy, and chip-free finish. Cure each hand under the UV or LED lamp for 30 to 60 seconds, following the lamp's specific instructions.
Final Steps:
Once your manicure is complete and fully dry, use a cotton pad or ball soaked in cleanser or rubbing alcohol to wipe each nail, removing any residue or tackiness. Wait at least a minute, then apply a small drop of cuticle oil to each nail to hydrate, nourish, and replenish your nails, completing your gel manicure.
It's important to note that curing times may vary depending on the brand of gel polish and the type of lamp you are using. Always refer to the product instructions and take the necessary precautions when using UV or LED lamps.
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Frequently asked questions
Filling in grown-out gel nails is a simple process. First, use a nail buffer to gently buff the entire nail, breaking the seal on the topcoat. Next, use a nail file to level off the edges, creating an even base for the new polish. Apply a base coat to the chipped area, allowing it to dry completely before proceeding. Once dry, apply your gel polish in thin layers, ensuring each layer is fully dry before adding the next to prevent air bubbles.
A negative space manicure is a great option for those who can't make it to the salon, as it incorporates your natural nail into the design. This style works well with a classic French gel manicure, where a neutral or transparent gel colour is used, making the regrowth gap less noticeable. You can also use regular nail polish to hide the growth gap by matching the colour to your manicured gel polish.
Glitter nail polish is a great option for filling in grown-out gel nails as it is extremely adhesive and easy to apply. Its chunky, uneven application hides any lines or bumps, giving your gel manicure a fresh look.
To safely remove gel nails, use a nail buffer to thoroughly buff the top of the gel polish. Then, soak a cotton ball in 100% acetone and place it on the buffed nail. Wrap your finger in tinfoil to prevent the acetone from evaporating or dripping. Set a timer for 15-20 minutes, then check if the polish can be scraped away with an orange stick. If not, re-wrap your nail and set another timer, repeating the process until the polish is removed.
