Noah Sinclair
L.A. Colors offers a range of gel nail polishes, including the Color Craze Extreme Shine Gel Polish line, which features 98 shades with a high-shine, chip-resistant formula. The polishes are known for their durability, with some customers reporting that they last up to two weeks without chipping. The brand also offers the Glazed Gel Polish collection, which includes eight mesmerizing shades with a unique color-shifting effect. To achieve the best results with L.A. Colors gel nail polish, it is recommended to prepare your nails by filing and buffing them before application. After creating a defined outline around your nail cuticles, apply the polish in long strokes directly to your nail bed, rotating your dominant hand as you go. Allow adequate drying time to prevent smudges, and consider using a Plumping Top Coat for enhanced shine and longevity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Price | $3.50 |
| Finish | High-shine, glazed/opal |
| Durability | Lasts up to two weeks without chipping |
| Application | Easy to apply, thick and opaque, requires several coats for full coverage |
| Brush | Wide paddle brush, short handle |
| Formula | Streaky, especially cremes |
| Shades | 98 |
| Chip-resistant | Yes |
| Cruelty-free | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
File and buff nails before application
Preparing your nails before applying gel nail polish is essential to ensure your manicure looks better and lasts longer. It is very important to prepare your nails well, so that your gel nail polish will last longer and your own nails remain healthy.
Clean Your Nails
The first step is to clean your nails. Use cleanser wipes to ensure your nails are grease-free and there is no residual dirt or dead skin cells. You can also use a cotton square soaked in a little nail oil remover or nail polish remover to clean your nails.
Push Back Your Cuticles
The next step is to push back your cuticles. Cuticles are often forgotten, but taking care of them will help your manicure stay on more firmly and gives you good access to your entire nail bed. Use a cuticle pusher or the prep and remove pusher to gently push back your cuticles. Always push in the opposite direction to nail growth and without moving back and forth to avoid damaging the nail plate.
Shape Your Nails
After pushing back your cuticles, it's time to shape your nails. Use an emery board to file your nails and create your favourite nail shape. You can choose any shape you like, such as square, oval, almond, or stiletto. Hold the emery board at a right angle to the nail and file from the outer edge to the centre, always in the same direction. Be careful not to file back and forth, as this can split and weaken your nails.
Buff Your Nails
Buffing your nails is an important step in the nail preparation process. It will help to even out the surface of the nail and create a rough surface for the gel nail polish to adhere to. Use a buffer block or a soft file with a grit of 100 to 180. Apply light pressure and gently buff the surface of your nails in the direction of growth, from the base to the tip, finishing at the free edge. Make sure to get into all the bends of the nail, including the sidewalls and the free edge. Don't buff too hard, as this can make your nails thin. You just want to slightly roughen the surface and remove any shine.
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Use a base coat to prevent chipping
Using a base coat is an important step in preventing chipping and prolonging the life of your manicure. It is specifically formulated to adhere to the nail plate, providing a strong foundation for your nail polish.
Before applying your base coat, ensure your nails are clean and dry. Natural oils on the nails can prevent the base coat from adhering correctly. Use a nail polish remover or pure acetone to swipe your nails and remove any residue. It is also important to wait at least an hour after washing your hands before applying the base coat to avoid any water-related issues. Water can get into the nail plate and cause the polish to chip, so it is crucial to give your nails ample drying time.
When choosing a base coat, opt for a good-quality product that is separate from a 2-in-1 base and top coat. A dedicated base coat is formulated specifically for its purpose and will provide better results. A high-quality base coat will not only extend the life of your manicure but also prevent staining if you're using dark-colored polishes.
Additionally, consider using a top coat in conjunction with your base coat. The top coat provides a protective layer, adding resilience and a shiny finish to your nail polish. Reapplying a clear top coat every few days can further enhance the longevity of your manicure.
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Apply multiple coats for full coverage
To achieve full coverage with L.A. COLORS gel nail polish, it is important to apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat. This technique will ensure even coverage, true-to-bottle colour, and longer wear.
Start by applying a base coat to protect your natural nails from staining and create a smooth surface for the polish to adhere to. Then, apply two thin coats of your chosen L.A. COLORS gel nail polish, allowing each coat to dry completely before adding the next. This will help you avoid smudges and dents in your manicure.
If you're using a quick-dry formula, you might need to apply an extra coat for full coverage. However, be careful not to apply too much polish, as thick layers take longer to dry and are more prone to smudging and peeling.
Once you're happy with the colour coverage, finish with a top coat to add shine and further protect your manicure from chips. For an even longer-lasting, high-shine effect, consider using a plumping top coat, which can be purchased separately.
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Allow adequate drying time to prevent smudging
Allowing your nail polish to dry adequately is crucial to achieving a smudge-free manicure. LA Colors' gel nail polish requires curing under a UV or LED lamp, which causes the polish to harden and creates a durable, glossy finish. The drying time varies depending on the light source, with UV lamps taking 2-3 minutes and LED lamps taking 30-60 seconds.
To ensure your gel nail polish dries properly and you avoid smudging, it is recommended to allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next coat. The thickness of the coats can also impact the drying time, with thinner coats drying faster. Additionally, proper nail preparation, such as gently buffing and dehydrating your nails, is essential to remove any oils or moisture that may interfere with the drying process.
If you prefer to avoid UV or LED lamps, some brands offer "non-UV" or "air-dry" formulas that harden without light exposure. In this case, it is crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions and allow sufficient air-drying time between coats, which typically takes 5-10 minutes per coat, depending on the brand and formula.
Once your color coats are fully dry, you can add a top coat to enhance the finish and protect your manicure. For LA Colors' gel nail polish, the Plumping Top Coat is sold separately and should be applied after the color coats have dried to achieve a long-lasting, high-shine effect.
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Apply a top coat for a long-lasting, high-shine effect
To apply a top coat for a long-lasting, high-shine effect, start by allowing your nail polish to dry completely. This is crucial, as applying the top coat too early may ruin your manicure. The drying time for regular nail polish is about 20 minutes at a salon, but it takes 24 hours for the solvents in regular polish to fully dry. Once your nail polish is completely dry, apply the Plumping Top Coat by L.A. COLORS in long strokes, rotating your dominant hand to reach all areas of the nail. Allow adequate drying time to ensure no smudges.
The top coat will give your manicure or pedicure a glossy finish and extend the wear time of your nail polish. It will also make it easier to remove your nail polish when you're ready for a change. Instead of soaking your nails in pure acetone, which is extremely drying, you'll only need to do a little filing to take off the gel top coat.
You can also achieve a gel-like finish by using an at-home gel kit or going back to the salon to get a clear gel cured on top of your polish. However, keep in mind that this may not always work, and you need a lot of patience to get it right. Additionally, the safety of gel manicures is still debatable, and you may not get the benefits if it's not done correctly.
By following these steps and using the Plumping Top Coat by L.A. COLORS, you can achieve a long-lasting, high-shine effect that will elevate the look of your nail polish and protect it from chipping.
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Frequently asked questions
First, file and buff your nails. Then, use the nail polish brush to create a defined outline around your nail cuticles. Apply the nail polish in long strokes on your nail bed, rotating your dominant hand to apply the nail polish. Allow adequate drying time to prevent smudges.
Customers have reported that the nail polish can last up to two weeks without chipping. However, this may vary depending on your daily activities and nail preparation.
While not mandatory, using a base coat and top coat can help extend the wear of your nail polish and prevent chipping.
Depending on the shade and formula, you may need two to three coats for full opacity and a smooth finish.
