Noah Sinclair
Gel manicures are a great way to ensure long-lasting nail art without damaging your nails. However, getting them done professionally can be expensive. Luckily, it is possible to do your own gel manicures at home, including glitter gel nails. To create your own glitter gel nails, you will need a UV LED lamp, a gel kit, and glitter. You will also need to clean, cut, and shape your nails, and push back your cuticles. After applying a base coat and colour, you can add the glitter by sprinkling it onto the nail and patting it down. Finally, seal the glitter with a top coat.
How to make your own glitter gel nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail preparation | Clean, trim, and file your nails. |
| Remove any existing nail polish, dirt, and oils with a gel cleanser. | |
| Push back your cuticles. | |
| Shape your nails as desired. | |
| Base coat | Apply a thin layer of primer. |
| Apply a thin layer of base coat. | |
| Base colour | Apply 1 to 2 coats of your desired base colour. |
| Glitter application | Apply a thin coat of gel polish to your first nail. |
| While the polish is still tacky, sprinkle your desired glitter over it. | |
| Gently pat it down with a fan-shaped brush, then blow off any excess glitter. | |
| Curing | Cure the polish under a UV lamp for 1 to 2 minutes. |
| Top coat | Apply a medium to thick layer of clear gel top coat to your nail. |
| Cure the top coat under a UV lamp for 2 to 3 minutes. | |
| Finishing touches | Use a soft brush to gently brush off any excess glitter once the polish is dry. |
| Wash your hands with soap and water to remove any excess glitter. | |
| File away any glitter causing an uneven finish. | |
| Remove gel nails with acetone nail polish remover. |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing your nails
Clean and Shape Your Nails: Start by cleaning your nails with a gel cleanser or nail polish remover to remove any existing nail polish, dirt, or oils. This step ensures that your nails are free from any residue that may interfere with the adhesion of the gel polish. After cleaning, use a nail file to shape your nails as desired. You can file them into various shapes such as square, oval, or almond, depending on your preference.
Push Back Your Cuticles: Once your nails are shaped, it's time to address your cuticles. Use a cuticle pusher or even your nails to gently push back the cuticles. This step is crucial as it creates a neat and tidy base for the gel polish application. Well-maintained cuticles also contribute to the overall health and appearance of your nails.
Dehydrate Your Nails: To ensure the gel polish adheres properly, it's essential to dehydrate your nails. Use a paper towel to rub a dehydrator or alcohol onto your nails. This step helps remove any excess moisture or natural oils from your nails, creating a better surface for the gel to adhere to. Avoid using a cotton pad, as it can leave fibres behind.
Apply a Base Coat: After dehydration, apply a thin layer of primer or base coat to your nails. Be careful to keep the base coat only on your nails, as the glitter will adhere to it. Allow the base coat to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
Optional: Apply a Base Colour: If you want your glitter to stand out or create a specific design, you can apply one or two coats of your desired base colour. Allow each coat to dry completely before moving on. You can choose from various colours and finishes, such as matte or pearlescent, to create different looks.
Tape Off Areas (Optional): If you want to create specific designs or avoid getting glitter on certain areas of your nails, use small pieces of tape to block off those sections. This step is entirely optional and depends on the look you are going for.
With these steps, your nails will be ready for the glitter gel application process. Remember to take your time and work on one nail at a time to ensure precise and even results.
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Applying the base coat
To apply the base coat, start by cleaning, cutting, and shaping your nails. Use a gel cleanser to wipe your nails, removing any existing nail polish, dirt, and oils. You can also use nail polish remover for this step. Then, trim and shape your nails with clippers and a nail file. Push back your cuticles with an orange stick or a cuticle pusher. If you don't have either of these tools, you can simply use your nails to push back the cuticles.
Next, file your nails just enough to remove the shine. This should only take a few seconds. After shaping and filing your nails, apply a thin layer of primer. Then, apply a thin layer of base coat, being careful to keep it only on your nails. The glitter will stick to the base coat, so if it gets on your skin, the glitter will end up there as well. Let the base coat dry before moving on to the next step.
It's important to note that you should avoid using a cotton pad to wipe your nails, as the cotton can catch on your nails and leave fibres behind. Instead, use a paper towel or a tissue. Additionally, make sure your hands don't touch the nails after dehydrating them with the cleanser, as the oils from your hands can cause the gel to lift.
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Adding the glitter
If you want a more even coverage, try to get the glitter as evenly distributed as possible and pat it down gently. You can also try the "floating" method, where you take a larger bead of top coat on your brush and move it along the top of the glitter without the brush touching your nail. This will help you achieve a smooth finish.
Cure your nail under a UV lamp for 1-2 minutes. Then, carefully clean around the nail, removing any excess glitter with a tissue or an orange stick.
If you're using chunkier glitter, you can encapsulate it with a thin layer of builder gel. Apply a medium to thick layer of clear gel top coat to your nail and cure it for another 2-3 minutes.
Finally, wipe your nail with a gel cleanser to remove any remaining tackiness. Your nail will still feel tacky after curing, but this is normal. Use a cotton pad or paper towel soaked in cleanser (avoiding cotton balls, which can leave fibres behind) to wipe down the nail.
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Sealing the glitter with a top coat
Sealing your glitter with a top coat is the final step in achieving your desired look. This step is crucial as it ensures your glitter gel nails are durable and long-lasting. Here is a detailed guide to help you perfect this step:
Applying the Top Coat
When applying the top coat, it is recommended to use a medium to thick layer. This is because the glitter is 3D, and a thicker layer will help encase the glitter smoothly. Using a thin layer may result in a rough finish. You can carefully apply the top coat using a brush or your chosen tool.
Curing the Top Coat
After applying the top coat, it is essential to cure your nails under a UV lamp. The curing time can vary, but generally, it is recommended to cure for 2-3 minutes. This step solidifies the gel and ensures your nails are set.
Dealing with Excess Glitter
Before curing, it is important to remove any excess glitter from your nails and the surrounding skin. You can use an orange stick, tissue, or a soft brush to gently wipe away the excess glitter. This ensures a neat and precise finish.
Finishing Touches
After curing, your nails may still feel tacky, which is normal. To address this, use a paper towel or cotton pad soaked in gel cleanser to wipe down your nails gently. This will remove the tackiness and any remaining dust or fibres.
Additional Tips
If you prefer a more sparkly look, you can choose not to apply a top coat. However, keep in mind that the texture may be rougher, and the glitter may shed. Additionally, the type of glitter you use may impact your top coat application. For chunkier glitter, a thin layer of builder gel may be used for encapsulation before the top coat.
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Finishing and cleaning up
Once you've added your final layer of top coat and cured your nails for the final time, there are a few more steps to ensure your glitter gel nails are long-lasting and tidy. Firstly, it's important to remove any excess tackiness from the top coat. To do this, use a dehydrator or cleanser containing alcohol, and a paper towel. Be sure to apply some pressure to really remove that tacky feeling. Your nails should now feel smooth, but if they are still rough, you can add another layer of top coat and cure again.
Next, you may need to file your nails to remove any stray bits of glitter that are causing an uneven finish. Use a nail file to gently sand away any bumps. If you notice that the skin around your nails is stained with colour or glitter, use a thin brush dipped in nail polish remover to wipe away the excess.
To remove gel nails, you will need acetone nail polish remover, which is available in most pharmacies.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a UV LED lamp, a nail primer, cleanser, base and top coat, and your choice of colour polish. You can also use loose glitter or pre-mixed glitter polish.
First, apply a thin layer of base coat and colour polish. While the polish is still tacky, sprinkle your desired glitter over it. Pat it down gently and blow off any excess.
Apply a medium to thick layer of top coat and cure for 2-3 minutes. Use a cotton pad or paper towel soaked in gel cleanser to wipe over the nail and remove any remaining tackiness.
Gel nails typically last between 2-4 weeks without any peeling or chipping.
