Ava Monroe
Almond-shaped nails are one of the most popular nail styles. To achieve the perfect almond shape, you must first spread the gel from the cuticles to the free edge of the nail. Then, move to the apex, the highest point of the extended nail, and smooth the surface with the tip of the brush. Once you have the desired shape, place your hand under a lamp for 12-15 seconds to tighten the tunnel. It's important not to clamp the tunnel too tightly, as this can damage the natural nail plate. After shaping, smooth the surface with a buffer to remove scratches and cuticles. Finally, wash your hands to remove any nail dust or residue.
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What You'll Learn
Smooth the nail surface with a buffer to remove scratches
Buffing your nails is a great way to smooth out the nail surface and remove scratches. It is important to be gentle and not over-buff, as this can damage your nails.
Firstly, you need to choose the right buffer. A multi-sided buffer is ideal as it will have different grits for buffing, polishing and shining. If your buffer is not labelled, start with the most coarse side first and finish with the smooth side.
Next, hold the buffer parallel to your nail. Place the large grit side of the buffer on your nail, using light pressure and unidirectional strokes. Buff your nail gently in an X shape, focusing on any scratches or ridges. Repeat this process for each nail, using six to eight strokes per nail.
Now, use the finer grit side of the buffer to polish your nails. Again, hold the buffer parallel to your nail and use unidirectional strokes in an X shape. This will smooth and brighten your nails. Be careful not to over-polish; four to six strokes per nail should be enough.
Finally, use the smooth side of the buffer to shine your nails. Place the smooth side on your nail and use light pressure to move the buffer in tiny circular motions. Continue until you achieve a glossy look, which should take around four to five buffs.
Remember to be gentle throughout the process and avoid creating heat from friction. You can finish by applying cuticle oil to nourish and moisturize your nails.
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Remove cuticles and smooth the line between the nail plate and the hairline
To achieve the almond nail shape, it is important to remove the cuticles and smooth the line between the nail plate and the cuticle. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Remove Cuticles:
- It is recommended to use a cuticle remover product to dissolve the cuticle on the nail plate. Apply the product and let it sit for around 15 seconds.
- Using a dual-tip glass cuticle pusher, gently push back the cuticle and the proximal nail fold (the living part of the cuticle that should not be cut).
- Wipe off any excess remover and cuticle residue with a cotton pad.
- To completely remove any remaining remover, wipe your nails with alcohol or acetone, as leaving it on for too long can burn your skin.
Smooth the Line:
- Once the cuticles are removed, focus on smoothing the line between the nail plate and the hairline.
- Use a large ball cuticle bit with an e-file to go around the nail plate and remove any crust or dead skin.
- Exfoliate the area with a hand scrub or an exfoliating hand cream containing urea to smooth the skin.
- For any stubborn flakes, use a pointed tool, such as the pointed end of the glass pusher, to gently remove them without using cuticle nippers.
- Apply cuticle oil or hand cream to nourish and moisturize the area.
It is important to note that cuticles should not be cut unless there is a hangnail or snag. Consistent maintenance and the use of oils, such as jojoba oil, can help train the cuticles to require less work over time.
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Wash hands to get rid of nail dust or cuticle residue
To make almond-shaped nails, you will need to file your nails, which can create a lot of nail dust and cuticle residue. It is important to wash your hands afterward to avoid any skin irritation or allergic reactions.
First, use soap and warm water to wet your hands. Apply soap to the palms and backs of your hands, ensuring you cover all areas, including your fingers and nails. Pay particular attention to the areas around and under your nails, as this is where nail dust and cuticle residue are likely to accumulate.
Next, create a rich lather by rubbing your hands together vigorously. Continue scrubbing your hands and nails for at least 20 seconds. This ensures that the soap breaks down any nail dust or cuticle residue. If you are wearing any rings, take them off beforehand and use a soft-bristled brush to clean the areas of your fingers that were covered by the rings. Rinse your hands and the brush thoroughly with warm water.
Finally, dry your hands and nails thoroughly with a clean towel. Make sure to dry between your fingers and around your nails, leaving no moisture behind. You may also use a hairdryer on a low setting to ensure your hands are completely dry.
Washing your hands after filing your nails is an important step to remove any nail dust or cuticle residue that could cause skin irritation or other health issues.
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Spread gel from cuticles to the free edge, then smooth with a brush
To create an almond nail shape, you'll need to spread the gel evenly and smoothly from the cuticles to the free edge of the nail. Use a brush with a gentle, pulsating movement to smooth the surface. Work along the nail, but also across it, to ensure the gel is evenly distributed and there are no lumps or bumps.
The apex, or the highest point of the extended nail, should be approximately one-third of the length of the nail. This is important for both the aesthetics and the durability of the nail. Filing the apex too much can shift the centre of gravity, causing the nail to be less resistant to damage.
Once you have the desired shape, cure the nail under a lamp. For most lamps, 12-15 seconds is sufficient, but this may vary depending on the lamp and the amount of product used. You'll know the gel has cured enough when you tap the nail and hear a characteristic "empty sound", indicating that it has set both on the top and inside.
After curing, gently smooth the nail surface with a buffer to remove any scratches and ensure a flawless finish. Don't forget to remove any cuticles and dust off any nail residue before admiring your perfectly shaped almond nails!
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Cure the nail under a lamp for 12-15 seconds
When curing your nails under a lamp, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the type of lamp you are using and the type of gel polish you are using will impact the curing time. LED lamps are best suited for LED gel polishes, while UV nail lamps work most efficiently with UV gel polishes. Additionally, the wattage of your nail lamp will also impact the curing time; higher wattage will result in shorter curing times. For example, a 36W nail lamp can dry gel polish in 1-2 minutes, while a 48W lamp can do it in approximately 1 minute.
It's also important to note that you cannot over-cure gel polish, except when doing chrome. However, under-curing can be an issue, so it's better to cure for a little longer to be safe. As a reference point, curing times for base coats are typically around 60 seconds, and small gem applications with strengthening gel have a curing time of 60 seconds as well. For a no-wipe top coat, curing times can be as short as 10-15 seconds.
To achieve the perfect almond nail shape, curing your nails for 12-15 seconds under a lamp can be a crucial step. This short curing time can be used for two purposes: first, as a flash cure to prevent the product from moving around, and second, as a finish cure for a no-wipe top coat. By curing your nails for 12-15 seconds, you can ensure that your nail polish is set in place and that the top coat is dried and protected.
It is important to note that curing times may vary depending on the brand of your lamp and the specific products you are using. Always refer to the product instructions or recommendations to ensure you are using the correct curing times and to avoid any potential issues with under or over-curing. Additionally, if you experience any discomfort during curing, reduce the exposure time to prevent any harm.
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Frequently asked questions
First, spread the gel from the cuticles to the free edge, then move to the apex, the highest point of the extended nail. Smooth the surface with the tip of the brush, working along and across the nail.
Put your hand into a lamp for 12-15 seconds, then gently tap the nail with a tool to check if it has cured enough. If you hear an "empty sound", this means the gel has cured on the top and inside and won't flow out during clamping.
The apex should be placed approximately one-third of the length of the nail. Filing it too much in the middle will shift the centre of gravity, causing the nails to be less resistant to damage.
