Isla Bennett
Striped manicures are a fun, unique, and colourful way to amp up your gel nails. They are simple to do and super eye-catching! You can use nail striping tape or thin brushes to create challenging designs. If you don't have nail tape, you can use painter's masking tape or even scotch tape. You can also use gel nail strips, which are stick-on gels that come in various sizes and can be stretched and cut to fit your nails.
How to make stripes with gel nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Remove cuticles with a gentle cuticle remover |
| Tools | Nail striping tape, thin brushes, gel nail strips, gel nail wraps, nail polish, top coat |
| Technique | Paint nails with vertical stripes, let dry, cover with tape, add another colour, remove tape, let dry, add top coat |
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What You'll Learn
Using gel nail strips
Gel nail strips are a great way to get a long-lasting manicure without the mess. Each box of gel nail strips contains 20 different sizes and accent designs, so you can customise your manicure to your liking. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply gel nail strips:
Step 1: Prep Your Nails
First, remove your cuticles with a gentle cuticle remover. After letting the remover sit for about two minutes, lightly push back your cuticles until your nail plate is clean. Make sure your nails are completely dry before applying the gel nail strips.
Step 2: Choose the Right Size
Gel nail strips come in various widths to match your cuticle's shape. Choose the appropriate size for your nails. If you cannot find a strip that fits your nail, you can gently stretch the strip until it is large enough.
Step 3: Apply the Strips
Place the gel strip close to your cuticle, leaving a small gap to avoid premature peeling. Press the strip firmly onto your nail. Use a wooden cuticle pusher to smooth out any bubbles and flatten the strip against your nail.
Step 4: Trim and File
Use nail scissors or clippers to trim off any excess strip. Then, gently file your nail to smooth out any rough edges before curing.
Step 5: Cure Your Nails
Cure your nails under a UV/LED lamp for 60 seconds or until completely hardened. You may need to repeat this step a few times.
Step 6: Finish and Care
Apply a gel top coat for extra shine. Avoid water and oils for about an hour before and after application. To remove the gel nail strips, apply cuticle oil to a floss stick and gently shimmy it underneath the strip until it lifts off.
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Horizontal vs vertical stripes
Creating stripes with gel nails is a fun and unique way to amp up your manicure. You can use the same technique to create both horizontal and vertical stripes. All you need is your choice of nail polish colours and some striping tape.
If you're going for a vertical stripe design, start by painting your nails with a base colour of your choice. This could be a grey colour or a gel manicure. Once the base colour is dry, tape off your nails with striping tape to create straight lines. Then, paint over the tape with your chosen stripe colour. While the paint is still wet, carefully peel off the tape and let the paint dry. Finish with a top coat to lock in your nail colour and add shine.
For horizontal stripes, the process is similar. Start by painting your nails with a base colour. Once dry, use striping tape to create horizontal lines across your nails. Paint over the tape with your chosen stripe colour and remove the tape while the paint is still wet. Allow the paint to dry and finish with a top coat.
It's important to note that vertical stripes on nails can also indicate underlying health conditions. Vertical ridges on nails can be a normal part of ageing, but they may also suggest a protein, zinc, calcium, or vitamin A deficiency. On the other hand, horizontal ridges, also known as Beau's lines, are often linked to more serious health issues such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, if you notice persistent or deep vertical or horizontal ridges on your nails, it is recommended to consult a doctor to rule out any potential health concerns.
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Painting with gel nail polish
Before you begin painting your nails, it is important to prepare them properly. First, remove your cuticles with a gentle cuticle remover. Push back your cuticles until your nail plate is clean. Then, choose the right-sized gel nail strips for your nails. If you cannot find a wrap that fits your nail, you can gently stretch it or cut it down to size with makeup scissors.
Once you have prepared your nails and chosen your gel nail strips, you are ready to start painting. Place the gel nail strip onto your nail plate, ensuring it does not touch your skin or cuticle. Press the wrap firmly onto your nail and use a wooden cuticle pusher to smooth out any bubbles. If the gel nail strip is applied to your skin, it will not stay put. You can then trim off any excess gel wrap with fingernail clippers before filing.
Finally, finish off your manicure with a high-shine gel top coat to add extra longevity and a flawless finish to your design. Cure your nails under a nail lamp to set the gel polish instantly.
With gel nail polish, you can create intricate designs, detailed lines, and even French manicures. The options are endless, so let your creativity flow and enjoy the process of painting with gel nail polish!
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Using nail tape
Prepare Your Nails:
Start by preparing your nails. Ensure they are clean and free of any old polish. If you are using gel nail wraps, it is recommended to remove your cuticles with a gentle cuticle remover before applying the wraps. Push back your cuticles until your nail plate is clean and ready for polish.
Choose Your Colours:
Select the colours you want to use for your stripes. You can use one colour for a simple, elegant look, or multiple colours for a fun, vibrant design. Test out different colour combinations on a piece of paper to find the ones that work best together.
Paint Your Base Colour:
Paint your nails with the base colour of your choice. This could be a neutral shade, such as white or grey, or a more vibrant colour. Allow the base colour to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Apply the Nail Tape:
Cut small pieces of nail tape and apply them to your nails to create stripes. For vertical stripes, place the tape onto your nails in a straight line, leaving a narrow gap between each piece of tape. If you want to create horizontal stripes, you can tape off your nails horizontally, covering the areas you do not want to be painted. Press the tape down firmly to ensure it is securely attached to your nail.
Paint Your Stripes:
Using your chosen colour(s), carefully paint over the gaps between the pieces of tape. If you are using multiple colours, allow each colour to dry completely before applying the next one to avoid mixing shades.
Remove the Tape:
While the polish is still wet, carefully remove the pieces of tape. If you are creating vertical stripes, remove the tape at a slow, gentle pace to avoid smudging the polish. Allow the stripes to dry completely.
Apply a Top Coat:
Finish your design by applying a high-shine top coat to protect your manicure and add extra gloss. Allow the top coat to dry, and then show off your beautiful striped gel nails!
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Drying and curing
The drying and curing process for gel nails involves using a UV or LED lamp to seal and harden the gel nail polish. This process is known as polymerisation, causing the gel molecules to bond and form a solid layer of colour that resists chipping or wearing off. LED lamps typically offer faster curing times than UV lamps, but some technicians prefer UV lamps for their wider working area and power. It is essential to ensure that your LED lamp emits UV light at the correct frequency to avoid curing issues.
Steps for Drying and Curing:
- Safety First: Before beginning the curing process, it is important to prioritise safety. Protect your skin by applying sunscreen or wearing UV-absorbent gloves to minimise UV radiation exposure.
- Paint and Cure One Hand at a Time: For optimal results, paint and cure one hand at a time. Start by using the nail lamp on one hand, and then use the same hand to apply polish to the other hand. This approach helps avoid smudging and provides convenience when applying colour to your dominant hand.
- Thin Coats and Separate Fingers: Apply gel polish in thin layers, building up to achieve the desired opacity, typically requiring 2-4 coats. Cure each layer completely before applying the next. Additionally, paint and cure each finger separately, starting with the index finger, to prevent smearing and ensure proper drying, especially for the thumbnail.
- Curing Time and Lamp Settings: Refer to the gel polish manufacturer's instructions to determine the required curing time, as it may vary depending on the product. Typically, the gel base coat is exposed to the lamp for 45 seconds, the colour coat for 60 seconds, and the top coat curing time is limited to 90 seconds. The curing cycle for each layer should be completed before proceeding to the next.
- Remove Tacky Residue: After completing the final layer of the gel top coat, use an acetone-soaked cotton pad or paper towel to gently glide over each polished nail. This step ensures that all tacky residue is removed, leaving behind clean and vibrant nails.
- Avoid Over-Curing: Over-curing the gel polish, especially the top coat, can lead to excessive hardening, making removal challenging. Ensure adequate curing without overcooking the gel polish to maintain the desired results.
By following these steps for drying and curing, you will achieve a long-lasting, flawless gel manicure with stripes that pop!
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Frequently asked questions
Using nail striping tape is a great way to create stripes on gel nails. First, paint your nails with colourful, vertical stripes and let each layer dry before applying the next one. Then, cover your nails with tape, leaving a narrow strip bare. Apply the final colour and remove the tape while it's still wet.
Alternatively, you can use the tape to section off parts of your nail and paint over it. This will create a crisp line when you remove the tape.
You can use nail striping tape, very thin brushes, or regular painter's masking tape. If you only have Scotch tape, you can use that too, but press it to your arm first to reduce the stickiness.
First, prep your nails by removing your cuticles with a gentle cuticle remover. Then, choose the appropriate size of gel nail strip and stretch it gently if needed. Remove the plastic cover and peel it from the base before placing it on your nail plate, away from your skin or cuticle. Press the wrap firmly onto your nail and smooth out any bubbles with a wooden cuticle pusher. Finally, trim off any excess with fingernail clippers and file off the excess lightly.
