Liam Carter
DIY nail extensions are a fun, cost-effective way to get creative and experiment with different nail styles. While it may be a little quirky, with practice, you can achieve salon-style nails at home. The process involves cleaning and filing your nails, pushing back your cuticles, and buffing your nails to create a textured surface for the extensions to adhere to. You then apply the extensions, cure them with a UV lamp, and finish with your chosen nail polish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail extensions | Select the right size for each nail, ensuring it covers the full surface. File and size them for a perfect fit. |
| Cuticles | Gently push back cuticles with a metal cuticle pusher tool. Avoid cutting them. |
| Buffing | Use a 100/180 grit nail file to buff the entire top of each nail, removing shine and creating a textured surface for better adhesion. |
| Adhesion | Dehydrate nails with acetone or a product like Aprés pH Bonder to remove oils and debris. Use a gel primer before applying extensions. |
| Application | Apply a healthy amount of gel to the natural nail and extension, place snugly against the cuticle, and cure under UV light. |
| Gel polish | Apply a thin coat of colour to each nail, curing under UV light between coats and after the topcoat. |
| Duration | With proper application, DIY gel nail extensions can last for two to three weeks. |
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What You'll Learn
Clean your nails
Clean, dry nails are the ideal base for DIY nail extensions. Start by washing your hands with water only—no soap. This ensures that your nails are free of any dust or debris. If you do use soap, be sure to wipe each nail with 100% acetone on a small piece of paper towel afterward. This will dehydrate your nails and remove any oils that may prevent the nail extensions from adhering properly.
Next, use a 100/180 grit nail file to gently buff over the entire surface of each nail. This step helps to remove the shine from your natural nails and create a more textured surface for the nail glue to grip. Pay extra attention to the edges and corners of your nails, as these areas can be difficult to reach once the extensions are applied. Be careful not to over-buff, as this can thin out your nails.
Once your nails are buffed, use a metal cuticle pusher tool to gently push back your cuticles. Avoid cutting your cuticles, but feel free to clean up any loose bits with a pair of cuticle nippers. Use a brush to remove any excess dust created during the buffing and cuticle-pushing process.
After your nails are clean and prepped, it's important to select the correct size nail extensions for each nail. Size match each nail individually, as the sizes may vary between hands. When in doubt, err on the side of larger extensions, as you can always file them down for a more perfect fit. Ensure that the extensions do not touch the skin on either side of your natural nail to avoid lifting.
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Push back cuticles
Pushing back your cuticles is an important step in achieving a neat and tidy appearance before applying DIY nail extensions. Cuticles are the thin skin growing at the base of your nails. By pushing them back, your nail beds will look longer, giving your nails a more elegant appearance.
Firstly, remove any existing nail polish with a non-acetone nail polish remover. Acetone can dry out your nails and cuticles. Then, soak your nails in warm water for 5-10 minutes. You can add jojoba or coconut oil to the water for extra moisturization. Alternatively, you can put avocado oil or cuticle oil on your cuticles and leave it for 2-3 minutes.
Once your cuticles are softened, it's time to push them back gently using a cuticle pusher or a wooden stick, such as an orange stick. Be careful not to apply too much pressure or push too forcefully, as this can damage the nail bed. If you have sensitive skin, wrap the tip of the orange stick in cotton before use. You can also push back your cuticles with a soft cloth, a cotton swab, or even your fingers.
After pushing back your cuticles, you can trim any excess or overgrown cuticles with cuticle nippers. Be sure only to cut what's hanging and not the cuticle itself, as cutting your cuticles can lead to infections and damage to the nail bed. Finish by applying cuticle oil or a rich hand cream to moisturize your nails and cuticles.
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Buff the surface
Buffing your nails is an essential step in the DIY nail extension process. It helps create a more textured surface for the nail glue to adhere to. This step is crucial when applying extensions or nail tips, so be sure to cover the entire nail, including all edges and corners. The goal is to create a matte finish by removing the shine from your natural nails.
Use a 100/180 grit nail file to gently buff your nails. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this can thin out your nails. You only need to buff enough to create a textured surface. Once you've finished buffing, use a brush to remove any excess dust.
After buffing, you may want to wash your hands with water only (no soap) to ensure you remove all the dust. If you do wash your hands, it's important to wipe each nail with 100% acetone on a small piece of paper towel. This will help dehydrate your nails and prepare them for the extension application.
Buffing your nails is a crucial step to ensure the nail extensions adhere properly. It might take some practice to get the technique right, but it's an important part of achieving long-lasting and salon-quality nail extensions at home.
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File and size extensions
Firstly, go through the different nail extension sizes available in your kit. It is important to remember that both hands may have differently sized nails, so size match each nail individually for the most accurate fit. When sizing, ensure that the nail tip covers the full surface of your natural nail from side to side. If in doubt, err on the side of larger sizes as you can always file them down for a more precise fit.
Once you have selected the appropriate sizes, start filing and shaping them to fit your natural nails perfectly. Nail extensions may sometimes be too squared off or too wide on the sides. File the sides to ensure there are no gaps between your natural nail and the extension. Additionally, make sure that the extension does not touch any skin on either side of your natural nail. This step can be time-consuming, but with practice, you will become quicker and more efficient.
Before applying the extensions, prepare your natural nails by gently pushing back your cuticles using a metal cuticle pusher tool. Avoid cutting your cuticles, but feel free to clean up any loose bits. Then, use a 100/180 grit nail file to buff the entire surface of each nail gently. This process removes the shine from your natural nails and creates a textured surface, enhancing the adhesion of the nail glue. Remember to buff gently to avoid thinning out your natural nails too much.
After buffing, use a brush to remove any excess dust. You can then wash your hands with water only (no soap) to ensure all the dust is removed. If you do wash your hands, wipe each nail with 100% acetone on a small piece of paper towel to dehydrate them and further enhance adhesion.
By following these steps, you will create a solid foundation for your DIY nail extensions, ensuring a more durable and natural-looking manicure.
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Apply the extensions
Now it's time to apply the extensions. Take a square gel brush and a generous amount of gel, applying it to both your natural nail and the underside of the nail extension. Place the extension onto your nail, positioning it snugly against your cuticle. Be precise with the placement, as once you cure the nail under the UV light, it will be stuck in that position.
Hold the extension down in place with a finger on the same hand while curing it under the UV light for a minute. Repeat this process on the rest of your fingers, then sit your hand under the UV light for 90 seconds to ensure everything is secure.
If you opted for pre-coloured extensions, you can skip the next part. If not, now is the time to paint your nails with gel nail polish. Use a clean gel brush to apply a thin coat of colour to each nail. Place your nails under the UV lamp for 60 seconds once the first hand is complete, then repeat the process for the other hand. Depending on how much pigment you want, repeat this step three to four times.
Once your colour is set, apply a gel top coat, and place your hand under the UV light for another 90 seconds. And there you have it—a professional-looking manicure, all done at home!
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Frequently asked questions
Start with clean, dry nails. Push back your cuticles with a metal cuticle pusher tool, then gently file and buff your nails to remove shine and create a textured surface for the nail glue to adhere to.
Select nail extensions that fit your natural nail width. Apply a small amount of glue to the base of the extension and press it onto your nail.
Place your hand into a UV light lamp for a minute to secure the nail. Repeat this process for each nail. Once you have finished applying the extensions, place your hands under the UV light for 90 seconds to make sure everything is in place.
Use a clean gel brush to apply a thin coat of colour onto each nail. Put your nails under the UV lamp for 60 seconds once your first hand is complete, and then continue with the other hand. Depending on how much pigment you want, repeat this step three to four times. Once your colour is set, apply a gel top coat and place your hand under the UV light for another 90 seconds.
