ebay.co.uk has been visited by 1M+ users in the past month
Free Shipping on eBay
- Collectables & Art
Huge Selection of New & Vintage
From Hornby, Bachmann, PECO & More
- Nail Art Moyou on eBay
Free Shipping Available. Buy Nail
art moyou on eBay. Money Back ...
- Find A Store Near You
Find Your Nearest
Ebay Store Today!
- Accessories
Apple Face Mask
Accessories on eBay
- Buyer's Guide
Everything you need to know if a
buyer has an issue.
- Find It On eBay
Free Shipping Available. Buy
Divine swine on eBay. Money ...
- Collectables & Art
Read customer reviews &find best sellers. Free delivery on eligible orders! Free UK delivery on eligible orders
Search results
There are a few things you’ll need to know first to make sure that you get the best results for you and your nails! We’ll teach you how to apply gel polish at home, tips on how to store gel polish, and make sure that you know how to prevent chipping and peeling for long-lasting manicures.
- Overview
- Prepping & Applying the Base Coat
- Adding the Gel Nail Polish
- Finishing with the Top Coat
- Removing Gel Nail Polish
An expert-approved walkthrough to give your nails a professional gel manicure
If you love the strength of acrylic nails but want something a little more natural-looking, gel nail polish is perfect for you. So long as you’ve got a UV or LED lamp to cure the gel, this is as easy as any home manicure gets! In this article, we’ll walk you through each step so that you can get that flashy, stunning professional look at home.
This article is based on an interview with our nail artist, Mia Rubie, owner of Sparkle San Francisco.
Check out the full interview here.
File and buff your nails before applying your base coat.
cure each layer under a
File your nails to craft your preferred nail shape.
To get the ultimate look from your at-home gel nails, start with the ultimate blank nail. Take the time to
cut, file, and shape your nails
Before you cut them, decide what shape you want. You can create round, square, pointy, almond, or oval nails, depending on your preference.
Unlike acrylic nails, which can be shaped during/after application, you can’t shape gel nails once you’ve painted your nails, so the shape of your nails matters a lot here.
You can totally skip all of the prep work and go right to applying the base coat, but you might as well do it right if you’re going to take the time to apply fancy gel nail polish!
Apply a thin layer of your
Once your base layer has dried completely, apply your first layer of the colorful gel nail polish. It will probably look streaky, but that is normal for the first layer. Use the applicator from the bottle to spread the color over each nail. Paint all the way through the tip of your nail as well as over the surface. This will keep the gel from curling back off your nail.
Cure the first layer of your gel nail polish under a
Follow the curing instructions that came with your gel nail polish. Typically, you’ll cure them under an LED lamp for 30 seconds, or a UV lamp for 2 minutes.
Curing allows the polish to harden in a uniform way. If you don’t cure your nails under the lamp, the gel polish may dry unevenly.
Gel nail polish stays wet until it’s cured under light. You cannot apply gel nail polish without a UV or LED lamp.
to protect the gel nail polish.
Coat your nails completely in your top coat like you’re adding a third layer of your gel nail polish. Paint over the tip, like you did with your color gel. Once again, cure the gel polish under a UV light for 2 minutes, or LED lamp for 30 seconds.
You can totally use regular top coat products to protect your gel nails, although there are special gel top coats out there a lot of people like as well.
Remove the tack with a little bit of isopropyl alcohol, if necessary.
Some gel methods leave a tacky, sticky layer on and around your nails after curing the top gel. If this happens to you, simply dip a cotton ball in isopropyl alcohol and gently blot the top of each nail.
Buff your nails smooth and clean up any mistakes.
Go to a professional for the safest gel polish removal.
Gel nail polish is exceptionally hard and sturdy compared to other nail polishes and treatments. As a result, you may end up damaging your nail if you don’t get a professional to remove them. The next time you go to get a pedicure, manicure, or salon treatment, ask them to remove your gel polish for you.
This isn’t to say that you can’t take the gel polish off yourself—just that you’re running an additional risk of damaging your nails.
File off the top layer with a 180-grit nail file.
To remove your gel nails, start by wearing away the top layer of the gel and the top coat. Gently drag your file back and forth along each nail until it’s no longer shiny. Go slow and take your time so that you don’t damage your cuticle or nail.
Avoid picking the polish off your nails. That can remove layers of your nail in the process, leaving them brittle and dry.
Jul 28, 2017 · It’s simply brushed onto the nail in three stages: a base coat, polish colour and topcoat, before being cured under an LED or UV lamp (depending on the brand). This process sets the gel solid with no sticky residue, creating a lovely shine with zero waiting time.
Apr 28, 2024 · Now that you know what you need for a gel manicure at home, here is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide on how to do your own gel nails at home. 1. Prep Your Nails. Prepping your nails before the whole gel application is crucial because it's not something you can do after applying the gel polish.
Apr 25, 2024 · How to apply gel nail polish: Step by step. Gel nail polish after care. How to apply gel polish on acrylic nails. How to apply nail tips with gel overlay. How to apply nail decals over gel polish. What causes gel polish to peel off after a few days? What you need to apply gel nail polish at home.
Jun 20, 2024 · Combined with a base coat and a top coat, Green Flash™ LED polish goes on in 3 quick and easy steps for high-shine nails that can withstand shocks and external aggressors. Perfect for nails that are prone to breaking easily.
People also ask
How do you use gel polish?
Does S&L have a gel top coat?
How long does it take to cure gel polish?
How do I remove gel polish?
How do I remove gel polish from my base coat?
How do you clean a gel top coat?
Apr 17, 2024 · Start by gently rolling the gel polish bottle between your hands to mix the color thoroughly. Then, using a steady hand, apply a thin, even layer of gel polish to each nail, taking care to avoid the cuticles and surrounding skin.
