How to do gel nails? Here are some easy ways to do gel nails. Applying gel nail polish at home is similar to that done in nail salons. You have two options with you either buy a nail kit online or do this by yourself buying all the tools differently such as a gel nail polish, a UV lamp, and some more things.
You’ll find this quite enjoyable, provided you have the necessary tools available to you. Many women prefer to use gel nails. Gel nails, as opposed to acrylic nails, are made of a gel-like substance that is cured under UV light.
Many women prefer gel nails and nail polishes because they last longer, don’t chip as easily as regular polish or nail polish, and look more natural.
There are various types of gel nails at home, such as :
- Soft gel nails
- Hard gel
- Acrylic nails
1. What Do You Need For Gel Nails At Home: Starter Kit
1.1. LED Lamp Or UV Lamp
The only option here is a UV lamp or LED curing lamp. We need a UV lamp because it makes the gel polish hard which makes the gel nail polish dry quickly, and also for a long-lasting manicure.
There are various benefits of using a LED lamp such as:
One of the most significant advantages of using UV or LED nail lamps is that they increase the drying time of your nail polish. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for your gel polish to fully dry when you air-dry your nails. While UV lamps typically cure the polish in 2-3 minutes, whereas LED lamps can cure the polish in 30-60 seconds.
Using a LED lamp leads to Long-lasting gel manicures. It can also give you healthy nails at home.
1.2. Filer
You need a filer to file your natural nails properly before starting the process. Filing your nails can help you get a uniform shape. It also decreases the chances of your nails breaking. It also makes the gel manicure procedure easy. Cheap glass files frequently have glued-on designs that are not etched into the glass and can easily wear off. In fact, you should file your nails once a week to keep them in a great shape
1.3. Nail Buffer
Most of the time, the surface of your nails isn’t smooth enough. Using a nail buffer will help your nails adhere to gel polish properly and for a longer period of time. You need a nail buffer with fine grit if you want to buff your nails perfectly.
1.4. Cotton Balls
You need the cotton ball to wipe your nails during the nail prep. Just add some alcohol You can also use an alcohol wipe instead of a cotton ball.
1.5. Cuticle Oil
Before you start your polish at-home at-home gel manicure, you must moisturize your nails. Cuticle oil aids in reshaping such nails, making them smooth so they are simpler to paint. Instead of applying cuticle oil, you can also use sesame oil or even coconut oil.
1.6. Base Coat
The base coat works like a foundation for your gel nail application process. It helps your nails to achieve strength and enables the paint to last for a long time. Additionally, the base coat keeps your nails from turning yellow and ruining the gel nail polish
1.7. Top Coat
The final layer you apply while using gel polish is the top coat. It helps you to get the glossy top layer appearance you desire. For gel nails, a thin coat of top-coat polish is required in addition to the base coat.
1.8. Gel Nail Polish Colors
You can use any gel nail polish of your choice based on what nail design you want for yourself. Just keep in mind that gel nail polish is different from regular gel polish.
2. How To Do Your Own Gel Nails At Home: 8 Easy Steps
2.1. Nail Prep
2.1.1. Wash Your Hands
The first step is always to wash your hands in warm water. So that the nail bed absorbs enough hydration.
2.1.2. Clean Up Cuticles
Gently push back cuticles. If necessary, you can trim them with cuticle clippers if they’re long.
2.1.3. Clean Your Nails
You can use rubbing alcohol to clean your nails properly. Make sure the nail bed is not having any dust particles on it.
2.2. Apply Cuticle Oil
Apply a drop of cuticle oil, massage your nail plate, and then use the edge of a file to gently push your cuticles back.
Make sure to thoroughly wash your hands after using cuticle oil to prevent the oil from getting on your nails. Your gel nail may lift if you leave any massage cuticle oil behind.
2.3. Shape Your Nails
After cleaning your nails, start by filing them into the shape you prefer. If you want round, pointed, square, almond, or oval nails, file them to that shape. Make sure to clean all ten of your nails with alcohol. Before beginning to apply gel nail polish, you don’t want any dust, dirt, or oil on your nails.
2.4. Wipe Your Nails With Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol on dead skin is simple to apply. Dry your hands gently with a soft cloth after washing them in warm water and hand soap.
Then gently wipe each fingernail with alcohol and a cotton pad. You don’t have to wait very long for each fingernail to dry because alcohol dries quickly and naturally.
If there’s any dust, it may ruin your gel nail polish. Repeat the procedure on the other fingers to get dry, clean, oil-free nails prepared for the gel base coat.
2.5. Apply Base Coat
Applying a base coat is an essential step that cannot be skipped. Your gel nail simply won’t stick to your nail bed without a base coat.
Put on a light coating of base coat. Make sure the entire nail is covered with thin coat. Otherwise, there will be a space where the colored gel nail polish won’t stick when you apply it.
After applying the base coat, cure the nails for about 2-3 minutes with your LED cure lamp. Depending on the lamp you’re using, this time frame varies.
2.6. Applying Gel Nail Polish
When your base coat has fully dried, it’s time to start the process of applying gel polish, unlike acrylic nails.
Without accidentally touching your cuticles, carefully apply a thin layer of gel polish to your nails. Make sure to coat each of your fingernails with gel nail polish in an even layer.
Regardless of when you decide to cure your nails, you should always follow the curing lamp’s recommended curing time. If none is specified, the typical duration is 2 minutes.
2.7. Apply The Top Coat
Applying the top coat makes sure that all of the work and polish you’ve done on your nails will be protected.
Over the colored gel nail polish, apply a thin layer of top coat, being careful to seal your nail tips. After that, apply the layer smoothly and cure it using the same LED light and cure lamp as before.
After that keep it under the nail lamp for 2 minutes.
2.8. Apply Hand Lotion
After the nails properly adhere you can apply some hand lotion to your nail beds to make them shine.
3. How To Do Gel Nails At Home Without A UV Lamp
There are various alternatives to a UV lamp
3.1. Use A Non-UV Gel Nail Polish
You can buy a gel nail polish that does not requires a UV lamp.
3.2. Applying A Dying Agent
The sole purpose of a UV lamp is to make the gel nail polish dry easily and quickly, so instead of the UV light you can apply a drying agent to your nails
3.3. Soak Your Nails In Ice Water
The easiest way you can dry your nail polish is to soak it under ice water. It will help your nails to dry faster.
4. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish At Home
4.1. Step 1
Apply acetone to remove gel nail polish to a cotton ball. And apply it to your nail. Wipe it with a paper towel to remove any excess dust, if there.
4.2. Step 2
Wrap the nail with aluminum foil.
4.3. Step 3
Use the cuticle stick to remove the gel polish.
4.4. Step 4
For the last step, you can gently buff your nails. And the gel nail polish is removed.
5. Here Are Some Things To Avoid When Having Gel Nails
- Never use your gel nails as a tool.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals on your gel nails.
- Avoid picking or biting your gel nails.
- Avoid applying too much pressure to your gel nails.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
6.1. Is It Worth Doing Gel Nails At Home?
It is economical. It saves time. You get to use your creativity. It has creativity. Better for you.
6.2. Is Gel Polish Safe?
Yes, It is totally safe for your nails.
7. Some DIY Gel Nails At Home
You can create different gel nails using different gel nail polishes on your nails.
Photo by Cottonbro Studio, Pexels.Now I hope now you know how to do gel nails at home instead of going to a nail salon.
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