Liam Carter
Doing your own gel nails at home can save you time and money. It can be frustrating at first, but with practice, you can achieve professional-looking results. The key to success is having the right supplies, such as a UV or LED lamp, cuticle oil, a nail buffer, a top coat, a base coat, and gel nail polish. Before applying gel nail polish, cut and file your nails to the desired shape, and gently push back your cuticles. Then, apply a thin layer of base coat, followed by two or three thin layers of gel nail polish, curing each layer under a lamp for 30 seconds. Finish with a top coat, and cure for two minutes. To remove gel nail polish, you can use a gel polish remover or acetone.
How to do natural gel nails:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Removal | Use a gel nail polish remover or acetone |
| Nail shape | Round, square, pointy, almond, or oval |
| Supplies | UV or LED lamp, cuticle oil, nail buffer, top coat, base coat, gel nail polish |
| Prep | Cut, file, and shape nails, push back cuticles, clean nail bed with rubbing alcohol |
| Base coat | Apply a thin layer of base coat |
| Polish | Apply thin layers of colour gel polish, cure under lamp for 30 seconds, repeat for 2-3 coats |
| Top coat | Apply a final top coat, cure under lamp |
| Finish | Apply cuticle oil |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping your nails
Preparing your nails before applying gel polish is crucial to ensure your manicure lasts for up to three weeks. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect natural gel nails at home, starting with nail prep:
Shaping Your Nails
Firstly, decide on your desired nail shape and use nail clippers or a nail file to achieve it. You can use curved nail clippers to cut down your natural nails to your preferred length. If you want to maintain the length but still shape them, gently use a nail file in one direction along the free edge of your nail. Common nail shapes include rounded, square, almond, or stiletto.
Pushing Back Cuticles
The next step is to use a metal or wooden cuticle pusher to gently push back your cuticles. Ensure you push back any cuticle that has grown onto your nail bed. This step is important as it prevents you from accidentally painting over your cuticles, which can cause the gel polish to lift.
Removing Dead Skin
After pushing back your cuticles, use cuticle nippers to remove any lifted or dead skin around the nails. Be careful only to nip away dead skin, which will appear white in colour. Avoid cutting any live skin, as this can cause bleeding and infection.
Cleansing the Nail
Instead of soaking your nails in water, cleanse them with 99% rubbing alcohol. You can do this by putting the alcohol on a cotton pad and gently wiping each fingernail. Ensure no strands of cotton get attached to the nail bed. This step will ensure your nails are dry and clean, free from oils, and ready for the base coating.
Applying a Base Coat
You cannot skip this crucial step! After your nails are thoroughly prepped and cleansed, apply a thin layer of gel base coat. Without a base coat, the gel nail polish will not adhere to your nail bed.
Now that your nails are prepped, you are ready to begin the gel nail application process!
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Applying the gel base coat
Prepare Your Nails
Start by washing your hands and gently filing your nails in one direction with a good-quality nail file. Push back and trim your cuticles, then buff your nails. It is important not to over-file your nails and only paint gently in one direction to avoid damaging them.
Clean Your Nails
Use rubbing alcohol to thoroughly clean your nails and remove any impurities such as remaining cuticle oil or dust particles. This step is important because it allows the gel base coat to adhere directly to your natural nail, ensuring a smooth and even application.
Apply the Gel Base Coat
Apply a thin coat of the gel base coat to each natural nail. Make sure to seal the open edges or cap the free edge of the nail. Capping the free edge involves painting over the edge of your nail, creating a protective layer that gives your nail a chip-resistant finish. The base coat should be slightly sticky and flexible, providing the ideal surface texture for the gel polish to grip onto.
Cure the Base Coat
After applying the gel base coat to all your nails, cure your nails under a UV lamp or LED light. This step will vary in time depending on the product you are using. Typically, curing under an LED lamp takes around 45 seconds, while curing under a UV lamp takes about 2 minutes. It is normal for the nail to remain sticky after curing the gel base coat.
Additional Tips
Remember that the gel base coat is not just a preliminary step but a fundamental element that defines the success and longevity of your gel manicure. It is recommended to apply one thin base coat every time you apply gel nail polish. This will help the gel polish stay on your nails better, preventing early chipping, peeling, or lifting.
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Applying the gel colour
Before applying the gel colour, ensure that your nails are properly prepared. Start by removing any surface shine from your natural nails. Use a nail file to gently scratch and buff the surface, removing the gloss and breaking the seal. Be careful not to file too deeply to avoid damaging your natural nails. Then, push back and remove any dead skin and cuticles from the nail plate. You can use a glass cuticle pusher, which is gentler on natural nails than metal ones.
Once your nails are prepared, it's time to choose your gel polish colour. Opt for a shade that complements your skin tone and enhances the natural look you desire. Neutral shades, such as taupe, soft pinks, and nudes, are popular choices for a natural manicure. You can also add a hint of holographic sheen or a glossy top coat for a subtle touch of glamour.
When you have selected your gel colour, it's important to follow the correct application process. Start by applying a thin layer of the gel colour to your nails, ensuring that you don't overload the brush to prevent flooding your cuticles. Cure each coat under a nail lamp according to the manufacturer's instructions. You may need to apply multiple thin coats for longer-lasting results and a more opaque finish.
After curing each layer, evaluate the coverage and colour intensity. You can add additional coats as needed to achieve your desired look. Remember to cure each coat separately to ensure proper drying and prevent smudging. Once you are happy with the colour, finish with a final curing step to seal and protect your manicure.
Finally, don't forget to moisturize your cuticles and nails. Gel polishes can be drying, so it's important to nourish your nails and the surrounding skin. Apply cuticle oil or a rich moisturizer to keep your nails and cuticles healthy and hydrated.
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Adding the finishing touches
Once you've applied your gel nail polish, it's time to add the finishing touches to your natural gel nails! Here are some ideas to take your manicure to the next level:
Seal and Protect
Seal your gel nail polish with a clear topcoat. This will protect the colour and add shine to your manicure. You can also use a matte top coat for a more subtle finish.
Nail Art
If you want to get creative, consider adding some nail art to your natural gel nails. Here are some ideas:
- Florals: Spring is all about embracing the beauty of blooming flowers. Try pressed flower gel nails for a delicate and romantic touch. Start with a neutral base and layer on stickers that mimic real pressed flowers.
- French Manicure: For a timeless and elegant look, you can't go wrong with a classic French manicure. Try a baby blue French tip with daisy accents for a fresh and charming twist. Or, for a more abstract and playful approach, go for squiggle French tips. Start with a neutral base and add a soft baby pink tip with deep pink squiggles.
- Ombré: Create a subtle gradient effect with an ombré look. Use colours that gradually get lighter or darker towards the nail tip. Start with a shade close to your skin tone and then transition to lighter or darker hues.
- Shimmer: Add a little sparkle to your natural nails with a hint of shimmer. An iridescent shade can be a subtle way to boost the look of your nails.
- Milky Mani: This trendy look is a favourite among celebrities. Try a milky nude shade with a glitter top coat, or add gold lunettes to each nail for a touch of glamour.
Nail Shape
Don't forget about the shape of your nails! Since gel nails can't be shaped after painting, take the time to cut, file, and shape your nails before applying the gel polish. You can go for round, square, pointy, almond, or oval nails, depending on your preference.
Clean-up
Use a cuticle stick and acetone to clean up your cuticles and remove any excess polish from your skin. This will give your manicure a neat and polished finish.
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Removing the gel polish
Removing gel polish can be done in several ways. One of the fastest and easiest ways is to use a gel polish remover. First, buff off the top coat of your gel polish. Then, apply the gel polish remover and wait 3-5 minutes for the gel colour to lift.
Another method involves using acetone. Start by gently filing the surface of your gel polish with a nail file. Be careful not to file too deep to prevent damage to your natural nail. Soak a cotton pad in acetone and place it on your nail. Wrap your fingertip in aluminium foil to secure the cotton pad, ensuring it is snug but not too tight. Leave the acetone-soaked cotton pads on your nails for about 15-20 minutes. The timing can vary depending on the number of layers applied.
Remove the aluminium foil and cotton balls. Use an orange stick or a cuticle pusher to gently push the gel polish off your nails. If the gel polish is not coming off easily, re-soak your nails for a few more minutes. Use a nail buffer to smooth out the surface of your nails, removing any residual polish. Finally, apply cuticle oil or a moisturiser to nourish your nails and cuticles.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a UV or LED lamp, cuticle oil, a nail buffer, a top coat, a base coat, and gel nail polish. You can buy these items separately or as a gel nail kit.
Start by cutting your nails to your desired length and shape. You can create round, square, pointy, almond, or oval nails. Then, use a cuticle stick to push back any dead skin off your nail plate. Apply cuticle oil to your cuticles and wash your hands afterward. Use an alcohol wipe to remove any remaining oil.
Apply a thin layer of base coat to your nails and cure it under your lamp for up to 30 seconds. Then, apply a thin layer of color gel polish and cure it again. Repeat this process for two to three coats. Finish with a top coat and cure it one last time under your lamp.
You can use a gel nail polish remover or acetone. With a gel polish remover, simply buff off the top coat, apply the remover, and wait 3-5 minutes for the gel color to lift. If using acetone, soak cotton balls in acetone and place them on your nails, securing them with aluminum foil. Leave them on for 15-20 minutes, then gently push the gel polish off your nails with an orange stick or cuticle pusher.
After removing gel nail polish, your nails may be sensitive or brittle. Apply cuticle oil or moisturizer to nourish your nails and cuticles.
