Noah Sinclair
Getting a gel manicure at a nail salon is always a great experience, but doing your own gel nails at home is a great way to save money and time. With the right equipment and a bit of practice, you can achieve professional-looking gel nails in the comfort of your own home. In this article, we will discuss the steps to follow and the supplies you will need to do your own gel nails and achieve the perfect manicure.
How to Put on Gel Nails Yourself
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail Preparation | File nails instead of clipping them to avoid cracks. |
| Buff the nail plate to remove shine and enhance adhesion. | |
| Clean nails with rubbing alcohol to remove debris and oils. | |
| Apply a gel base coat to help the gel nail adhere to the nail bed. | |
| Gel Application | Avoid getting gel on the cuticles as this can cause peeling. |
| Use a toothpick to wipe away gel from cuticles. | |
| Cure each layer of gel under a lamp for 120 seconds. | |
| Apply a top coat and cure under the lamp. | |
| Removal | Gel polish can be removed without damaging nails. |
| Use nail polish remover clips or cotton pads soaked in acetone or alcohol. | |
| Benefits | Saves time and money compared to salon manicures. |
| Gel nails can last for several weeks without chipping. |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your nails by filing them and removing any debris
Preparing your nails is an important step in the gel manicure process. It is recommended that you file your nails rather than clip them. Clipping can cause very fine cracks to form, which can lead to nail splits. If you have a lot of growth to remove, start with a coarser file, but always finish with a very fine file to achieve a smooth surface. Avoid filing back and forth, as this can cause permanent damage to the connection between the nail and the nail plate. Instead, file in one direction, rounding the nail up gently.
When filing the sides of your nails, find the middle point of your cuticle and match it to the centre point of the free edge. This will be your guide for filing the sides towards that point. Be very gentle. Remember, you are only reshaping, not building up or touching up with a base gel. If you are doing the filing with a board hand file, try putting it under your nail and bringing it in a bit, rather than placing it on top of the nail.
If you are just reshaping your nails, you may want to refer to a tutorial on how to file and shape your natural nails. Visualise an imaginary rectangle on your nail and marry that with the middle point of the cuticle area, the centre of the free edge, and a straight line down to match your finger bone. Use an emery board file, as these are thin and bendy. Again, file gently and in one direction to avoid splitting or lifting caused by filing back and forth.
Before applying gel polish, it's important to remove any remaining polish from your previous manicure. To do this, use a nail buffer to gently buff the nail plate and remove any shine. If this is your first gel manicure, buff the entire surface. If you are removing an old gel manicure, only buff the new nail growth. Avoid over-buffing, as this can make your nail plate thin and more prone to breakage.
You can also use a nail cleanser, such as isopropyl alcohol or a mixture of alcohol and acetone, to remove any remaining debris from your nails before applying the gel polish.
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Use a primer to enhance adhesion
Using a primer is an important step to enhance the adhesion of gel nails. It is used at the very start of your gel nail manicure to prime the nail. There are several benefits to using a primer. Firstly, it helps to remove any remaining oils, grease, dust, or residues on the nail plate, which can otherwise lead to your base coat not adhering properly to the nail. It also prevents the creation of any air bubbles, ensuring better adherence.
There are three main types of primers: acid-based, non-acid, and acid-free. Acid-based primers were the original primers used in the nail industry and contain between 30–100% methacrylic acid. They are a strong option that etches the nail plate to help the gel polish stick to the nail. This type of primer is perfect for people who have problematic nail plates, are on specific medications, or have hormonal problems that affect their nails.
Acid-free primers are the most commonly used type of primer, as they have a gentle formula that helps with adhesion. They are ideal for those who struggle with lifting, chipping, or peeling with gel manicures. If you find that your gel manicure already lasts a long time without any issues, then you may not need to use a primer.
When applying an acid primer, put 1-2 small dots on the nail and it will spread across the nail plate by itself. Make sure it has fully evaporated before continuing with your gel manicure. With all types of primers, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for use.
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Apply a gel base coat
Applying a gel base coat is a crucial step in the gel nail process. Without it, the gel nail polish will not adhere to your nail bed. To start, make sure your nails are free from any traces of debris. You can do this by washing your hands with warm water and soap, then drying them gently with a soft cloth. Next, put some rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad and wipe each fingernail gently, ensuring no cotton strands remain on the nail bed.
Once your nails are clean and dry, it's time to apply the base coat. Apply a thin layer of the gel base coat to each nail, being careful not to get any on your cuticles. If you do get some on your skin, use an orange stick, cuticle pusher, or toothpick to wipe it away before curing the gel under the lamp.
The gel base coat needs to be cured under a lamp for at least 60 seconds. If you are using a lower-quality lamp, you may need to cure your nails for longer. Once the base coat is cured, you can move on to applying the colour gel polish.
It is recommended to use a gel base coat, colour, and top coat from the same brand. Products from different brands may not work well together, which could affect the longevity of your manicure.
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Cure your nails under a lamp
Curing gel nails requires a special UV or LED lamp. This process is called polymerisation, which involves using a specially designed UV or LED light to seal and harden the gel nail polish. The molecules in the gel polish bond together, forming a solid layer of colour that won't chip or wear off easily.
The curing time varies depending on the type of lamp and nail, ranging from a few seconds to several minutes. If your lamp doesn't have a timer, you can set one on your smartphone to keep track of the time. Typically, each layer of polish should be cured for 45 seconds to 2 minutes.
To cure your nails, start by placing your hand in the lamp's hand slot, ensuring your thumb is also under the lamp. Set the timer, then turn on the lamp and leave your hand until the light shuts off. Repeat this process for each layer of polish, including the base and top coats, for a long-lasting, flawless manicure.
After curing the top coat, you can remove the sticky residue by gently gliding an acetone-soaked cotton pad or paper towel across each nail. This step ensures a vibrant, glossy finish to your manicure.
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Finish with a top coat
Once you've applied your colour gel polish, it's time to finish with a top coat. This is a crucial step, as it will protect your nails and ensure the longevity of your manicure.
Start by applying a thin layer of top coat to each nail, being careful not to get any on your cuticles. Use an orange stick or cuticle pusher to clean any excess gel from the cuticles before curing, as contact with the cuticle can cause the polish to lift or peel as your nails grow.
Cover the nails with top coat, painting over the tips of your nails, just like you did with the colour gel polish. Then, cure your nails under a lamp for two minutes. This will ensure that the top coat is fully dried and hardened, providing a protective layer over your manicure.
After curing, it's important to cleanse your nails to remove any residue. Soak a cotton pad in rubbing alcohol and gently wipe each nail. This will leave your nails clean and free from oils, ensuring that your manicure stays in place.
The final step is to admire your handiwork! With a professional-looking finish, your gel nails will be long-lasting and chip-resistant. Enjoy your manicure and feel free to experiment with different colours and designs. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first attempt is not flawless.
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Frequently asked questions
First, you should file your nails instead of clipping them to avoid causing very fine cracks. Then, use a buffer block to gently buff your nail plate and remove the shine. Next, apply a small amount of cuticle remover to your cuticles and push them back. Finally, use rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad to wipe each fingernail gently, removing any debris and oils.
Start by applying a thin layer of primer to enhance the adhesion of the nail plate with the gel polish. Then, apply a thin layer of gel base coat, followed by the colour gel polish of your choice. Be careful not to get any gel polish on your cuticles, as this will cause the polish to peel off much faster. Finish with a gel top coat. Cure each layer under a lamp for 120 seconds.
The myth that gel polish damages nails is false. If you remove the gel carefully, there will be no damage to your nails. Soak a cotton pad in acetone or nail polish remover and place it on your nail. You can also use special nail polish remover clips.
