Ava Monroe
Achieving a salon-quality gel manicure at home is possible with the right preparation and products. Before applying gel polish, it's important to prep your nails to ensure the polish adheres properly and lasts longer. The first step is to shape your nails using nail clippers and a nail file. Then, you should remove any remaining gel polish and soak your nails in water for a few minutes. Next, apply a cuticle remover to soften the cuticles and gently push them back with a cuticle pusher. You can also use a cuticle nipper to remove any excess dead skin, but be careful not to overcut the cuticle. After that, buff your nails to create a slightly rough finish, which helps the gel polish adhere better. Finally, cleanse your nails with a lint-free wipe and a solution like acetone or alcohol to remove any dirt, oil, or residue. Once your nails are properly prepped, you can start applying your gel polish, making sure to seal the edges with a base coat and curing your nails under a UV lamp or LED light.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Remove shine and dirt or oil from the nail bed to ensure the gel polish adheres properly and lasts longer |
| Tools | Emery board, nail file, nail clippers, cuticle remover, cuticle pusher, lint-free wipes, cotton squares, nail cleanser pads, nail buffer, primer, gel base coat, gel top coat |
| Process | Trim and shape nails, remove gel polish, buff nails, cleanse nails, remove cuticles, apply gel base coat, apply gel polish, cure under UV lamp or LED light |
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What You'll Learn
Shaping your nails
To begin shaping your nails, you should first trim them to the desired length using nail clippers. If you are happy with the length of your nails, you can skip this step. However, if your nails are too long, you should trim them down before shaping them.
Once your nails are at your desired length, you can start shaping them. Using a nail file, gently file your nails in one direction to achieve your desired shape. Common nail shapes include square, round, oval, almond, and stiletto. It is important to note that you should avoid filing back and forth, as this can cause your nails to split and weaken. Instead, hold the nail file at a right angle to the nail and file from the outer edge to the centre, always filing in the same direction.
If you are reshaping a gel manicure, you should be careful not to file off the top coat. To do this, place the file under your nail rather than on top of it. This way, you can reshape your nails without affecting the top coat. If you are reshaping a French tip nail, be aware that you may break the seal on the white tip, which can cause it to collect pigment.
To achieve an almond or oval shape, you can use a medium grit file, such as a 150 or 180 grit file, to file the corners of your nails straight. For an almond shape, you can then use a nail nipper to cut your nails to the desired length.
After shaping your nails, it is important to cleanse and dehydrate them to remove any dirt or oil. This will ensure that your gel polish has a clean base to adhere to and will help your manicure last longer.
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Removing dead skin
To remove dead skin before applying gel nail polish, you should first apply cuticle oil to your nails and wait 60 seconds. This will help soften the cuticles. Next, use a cuticle pusher stick to push back the cuticles. Be cautious not to leave any bits of skin on the edge of the nail bed as gel polish doesn't adhere well to the skin, which can cause an uneven finish.
You can then use cuticle nippers to carefully remove any excess dead skin. Only nip away the white dead skin and be careful not to remove any live skin to avoid injury. After filing your nails, use a fine-grit buffer to buff them. Smoothing the nails will give the polish less opportunity to lift. Buffing also provides texture and grit for the polish to adhere to, but be careful not to overdo it.
Another way to remove dead skin is to use a nail priming emery board to gently buff the surface of your nails in the direction of growth without moving back and forth. This will help erase any imperfections on the nail surface. You can then use a dusting brush to remove any residual dust, including shimmer particles and glitter. Move the brush over the surface of your nails and the surrounding skin until they are neat and tidy.
Additionally, you can use a barrier cream or petroleum jelly to protect the skin around your nails before applying the gel polish. This will make it easier to remove the gel polish from your nails without damaging your skin.
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Cleansing nails
Cleansing your nails is an important step in the gel manicure process. It helps to remove any dirt, dust, or oil residue that could prevent the polish from adhering properly and cause it to chip or peel away prematurely.
To cleanse your nails, start by using a nail file to shape them and remove any existing gel polish. You can use a medium grit file or a nail file with a fine grit designed for natural nails, being careful not to use too coarse a nail file to avoid damaging the natural nail. File in one direction, from the outer edge to the centre, to prevent the nail from splitting.
Next, apply a cuticle remover to soften your cuticles. Follow the instructions on the packaging, and then gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick. Be sure to push in the opposite direction of nail growth to avoid damaging the nail plate. You can also use a few drops of cuticle remover to gently massage and soften your cuticles before wiping off the excess with a cotton square.
After shaping your nails and pushing back your cuticles, it's time to cleanse the nail plate. You can use a Prep & Wipe solution on a lint-free wipe to remove any residual dust, oil, or dirt. Alternatively, you can use nail cleanser pads, nail scrubbers, or 99% rubbing alcohol to cleanse your nails. This step ensures that your nails are clean and dehydrated, providing the best surface for the gel polish to adhere to.
Finally, you can use adhesion enhancers like dehydrators and primers to further remove any remaining oil and shine. It is recommended to use a nail brand's complete system, such as their bonder, primer, and gel colour, for the best results.
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Applying a base coat
Before applying the base coat, you must ensure that your nails are free from any oily residue as it could prevent the base coat from adhering properly. You can use a nail cleanser or nail polish remover to gently wipe away any oil or dirt from your nails. It is important to use a lint-free wipe or cloth to avoid leaving any fibres on your nails.
Once your nails are clean and dry, you can apply the base coat. Apply a thin coat over each natural nail, making sure to seal the open edges or cap the free edge. Capping the free edge involves painting over the edge of your nail, creating a protective layer that gives your nail a chip-resistant finish.
After applying the base coat to each nail, cure your nails under a UV lamp or LED light for at least 45 seconds to a minute. This step ensures that the base coat is thoroughly cured. It is normal for your nails to remain sticky after curing, so avoid touching them during this stage as it can spoil the application process.
With the base coat cured, your nails are now ready for the gel polish colour. Remember to apply each layer of colour thinly and evenly, being careful not to stray onto the skin.
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Curing nails
To cure your nails, start by applying a thin coat of gel base coat over each natural nail, making sure to seal the open edges. Then, place your nails under a UV lamp or LED light for the specified time. It is normal for the nails to remain sticky after curing, so avoid touching them during this stage.
After curing the base coat, you can apply your gel polish color. Apply each layer in a thin coat, being careful not to stray onto the skin. Remember to cure each layer of gel polish under the UV lamp or LED light to ensure proper hardening.
Proper nail preparation before curing is crucial to achieving long-lasting and durable gel nails. This includes shaping your nails, removing dead skin, and cleansing your nails to remove any oils or residue. Using a nail file, cuticle remover, and lint-free wipes can help ensure your nails are ready for the curing process.
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Frequently asked questions
First, you should trim and shape your nails. Then, use a nail file to smooth the edges and grind down the surface. Next, apply a cuticle remover and push back your cuticles with a gentle motion, using a cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick. You can also use a cuticle nipper to cut off any excess dead skin, but be careful not to overcut. Finally, cleanse your nails with a lint-free wipe to remove any dirt or oil.
Proper nail preparation is key to achieving a long-lasting and durable finish. Without it, your gel polish will quickly chip or peel away at the edges.
You will need a nail clipper or nail file, a cuticle pusher, a cuticle remover, an orangewood stick, a nail buffer, and a primer.
You can use acetone to remove gel polish. Soak a cotton ball or lint-free nail wipe in acetone and wipe your nails. This will break down the gel polish.
A gel base coat helps the gel polish bind to your natural nail, creating a smooth surface and making the gel nails more durable. It also ensures that the gel polish adheres properly and lasts longer.
