Noah Sinclair
Doing gel nails at home can save you time and money. While it may be frustrating at first, with practice, patience, and the right tools, you can achieve professional-looking results. The process involves prepping your nails, applying a base coat, curing it under a UV or LED lamp, applying gel polish, and sealing it with a top coat. You can also add chrome powders or nail art for extra flair. Removing gel nails can be done with acetone or gel polish remover, but it's important to be careful as acetone can dry out your nails and cuticles. With the right techniques and products, you can enjoy long-lasting, salon-quality gel nails in the comfort of your own home.
How to Start Doing Gel Nails at Home
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prepping Nails | Cut, shape, and push back cuticles before applying gel polish. |
| Nail Shape | Desired shape can be achieved by cutting and filing nails. |
| Nail Filing | Use a 180-grit nail file for a smooth finish. Avoid clipping nails as it can cause cracks. |
| Nail Cleaning | Wipe nails with alcohol or hand sanitizer to remove dust, debris, or oil. |
| Base Coat | Apply a thin layer of base coat gel polish and cure under a UV or LED lamp for 2 minutes. |
| Gel Polish | Apply 1-2 thin layers of gel polish, curing each layer under the lamp for 2 minutes. |
| Top Coat | Seal with a clear top coat and cure. |
| Nail Art | Use an eyeshadow brush to apply chrome powders. |
| Removal | Use a gel polish remover or acetone to remove gel polish. Soak cotton balls in acetone, place on nails, and wrap with foil. |
| Cuticle Care | Apply cuticle oil to restore and rehydrate cuticles after removal. |
| Practice | Patience and practice are key to achieving perfect gel nails at home. |
| Kits | Starter kits are available with all the necessary tools for gel nails at home. |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping your nails
Cutting and Shaping Your Nails
Start by using a nail cutter to trim your nails to a uniform length. It is recommended to file your nails instead of clipping them, as clipping can compress the C-curve and cause fine cracks to form. If you do choose to clip your nails, be sure to use a nail file to gently shape and smooth the edges. You can use a coarser file for longer nails, but always finish with a fine file to ensure a smooth surface. The shape of your nails is a matter of personal preference, so feel free to choose between round, pointed, square, almond, or oval shapes.
Pushing Back Cuticles
Gently push back your cuticles using a cuticle pusher or an orange wooden stick. Be careful not to be too aggressive, as this can damage your nails and cuticles. The goal is to reveal the base of your nails, creating a clean canvas for the gel application.
Cleaning Your Nails
Before applying the gel polish, it is essential to clean your nails to ensure there is no dust, debris, or oil left on the nail bed. Any residue can prevent the gel from adhering properly, so use rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to wipe down each nail. This step will help the gel polish last longer and adhere better to your nails.
Applying a Base Coat
Once your nails are clean and prepped, you can start the gel application process. Apply an extremely thin layer of the base coat gel polish to your nails. Remember, the thinner the layer, the better. Cure this base coat under a UV or LED lamp for about 120 seconds, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Additional Tips
If you get gel polish on your skin, use a small amount of acetone to wipe it away before curing. You can use toothpicks to remove small amounts of polish from your cuticles. Additionally, pay special attention to your thumb nails when curing, as they may require separate curing due to their positioning in the lamp.
Remember, practice makes perfect! With patience and persistence, you'll be able to achieve salon-quality gel nails in the comfort of your own home.
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Applying the base coat
Firstly, it is important to prepare your nails before applying any gel polish. Use a nail cutter to trim your nails to the desired length, ensuring they are uniform. Then, shape your nails using a nail file. You can file them into your preferred shape, such as round, square, or oval. It is recommended to opt for an oval shape as it tends to break less due to the smooth edges. Once you have achieved your desired nail shape, gently push back your cuticles using a cuticle pusher or orange wooden sticks.
Next, you will want to clean your nails to ensure the gel polish properly adheres. Use rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to wipe your nails, removing any dust, debris, or oil. This step is crucial as gel polish may not adhere well if there is any residue left on the nail bed.
Now, you are ready to apply the base coat. Choose a quality base coat gel polish and apply an extremely thin layer to your nails. It is important to make the layer as thin as possible to avoid a messy buildup. Be careful not to get any polish on your cuticles, as this can cause the gel to peel faster. If you do get polish on your skin, use a small amount of acetone to wipe it away before curing. You can use toothpicks to carefully remove small amounts of polish from the cuticle area.
After applying the base coat, it is time to cure your nails under a lamp. Place your hands under a UV or LED lamp, following the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended curing time. Typically, curing under a lamp for 120 seconds is sufficient. Ensure your nails are completely dry before moving on to the next step. Pay close attention to your thumb nails, as they may require separate curing due to the angle in the lamp.
Once the base coat is cured, you can proceed with the rest of your gel manicure. Remember to follow the subsequent steps carefully, including applying the gel colour and top coat, curing each layer, and sealing your manicure. With practice and patience, you will be able to achieve salon-quality gel nails in the comfort of your own home.
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Using a curing lamp
When using a curing lamp, it is important to ensure that your nails are thoroughly dried after applying each coat of polish. Pay special attention to your thumbs, as they can sometimes miss the light due to the angle at which they are placed in the lamp. To avoid this, try painting and curing your thumbs separately. It is also recommended to use sunscreen on the backs of your hands when placing them under a UV lamp, as practised in Korean nail salons.
The curing process involves placing your nails under the lamp for a specified amount of time, typically around 120 seconds or until the polish is completely dry. This step is crucial in achieving the desired hardness and durability of the gel manicure. The curing time may vary depending on the type of lamp and polish used, so it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and adjust the curing time accordingly.
Additionally, it is important to work with thin layers of polish when using a curing lamp. Applying extremely thin layers of the base coat and gel polish ensures that the nails cure evenly and prevents the buildup of polish, which can lead to a messy finish. If you get polish on your skin, use acetone to wipe it away before placing your hand under the lamp again. Toothpicks can also be useful for removing small amounts of polish from the cuticles.
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Applying the top coat
Once your nails are dry, you can apply the top coat. Use a thin layer of the top coat gel polish and cure it under a UV or LED lamp for 120 seconds. If you get the polish on your skin, use some acetone to wipe it away before putting your hand under the lamp again. You can also use a toothpick to wipe away small amounts of polish from your cuticles.
If you are using chrome powders, you will need to apply the powder before the top coat. Take the powder on an eyeshadow brush and rub it onto your nail. Be sure to use a non-tacky top coat, as the tacky variety can cause the powder to bunch up and pull. After applying the powder, you can then apply the top coat and cure it under the lamp.
To remove your gel nails, start by filing off the top coat with a nail file. Then, soak cotton balls in acetone and wrap them around each nail with tin foil. Wait 20-40 minutes, then remove the foil one nail at a time. The gel should start to peel back. Use a cuticle stick to push the gel off your nail. If there is any gel that you can't remove, re-wrap your nails with acetone-soaked cotton balls and foil and let sit for another 10-15 minutes.
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Removing the gel polish
Removing gel nail polish can be done in two ways: using a gel nail polish remover or the traditional way of using acetone.
Using a Gel Polish Remover
This method is significantly faster and requires fewer supplies. Simply buff off the top coat, apply the gel polish remover, and wait 3 to 5 minutes for the gel colour to lift.
Using Acetone
If you choose to use acetone, follow these steps:
- Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to each cuticle and the surrounding skin to protect your skin from the acetone.
- Cut cotton balls or strips to the size of each nail. Using cotton that is about the same size as each nail reduces your risk of getting acetone on your skin.
- Soak each piece of cotton in acetone.
- Place each piece of soaked cotton on top of the nail that it was cut to fit, and wrap the nail with plastic food wrap.
- Leave the plastic wrap on for 10 minutes.
- When you remove the plastic wrap, most or all of the gel nail polish should be gone.
- Remove any remaining gel nail polish with a washcloth that you’ve just run under warm water.
- Use the wet washcloth to gently rub off any remaining polish, taking care to rub only the nail and avoid the surrounding skin.
- Wash your hands or feet with a gentle soap and water to remove the acetone.
- Gently rub petroleum jelly into your cuticles and the skin around your nails every day for seven days to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone.
Additional Tips
- Dr. Lipner recommends using plastic food wrap rather than foil when removing gel nail polish at home. Plastic creates a tighter seal than foil, so the acetone is less likely to drip.
- If you are using acetone, you can also try soaking your nails in a bowl of acetone, but this can be tough on your nails and skin. It can make your nails dry and brittle, and your skin and cuticles might get dry, flaky, red, and irritated.
- Dr. Lipner also notes that the best way to remove gel nail polish is to let your nails grow out. Clipping them once a week will remove the gel nail polish and help prevent your nails from catching on clothing and other objects.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a UV or LED lamp, a top and base coat, nail polish, and little brushes for nail art. You can also get creative with chrome powders, glitter, and sequins. Additionally, you will need nail clippers, a nail file, buffer, and cuticle tools.
First, cut and file your nails to the desired shape. Then, gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher. Clean your nails with alcohol or hand sanitizer to ensure there is no dust, debris, or oil left on the nail bed.
Apply a thin layer of the base coat and cure it under the lamp for 2 minutes. Then, apply 1-2 layers of gel nail polish, curing each layer for 2 minutes. Finish with a clear top coat.
You can use a gel nail polish remover or acetone. With acetone, you will need to soak cotton balls and wrap them around your nails with tin foil. Leave for 20-40 minutes, then use a cuticle stick to push the gel off your nail.
