Although it is worthwhile to do a little pampering once in a while and let a nail technician do the magic, applying gel nails at home can also be enjoyable and easier than you think. It’s not only a time-saving and cost-effective option, but also a great way to express yourself and be creative.
Read on below to learn how to do perfect gel nails at home.
Equipment you need
If you are used to traditional manicures, all the tools in a gel nail kit can be a little intimidating at first.
To do a perfect gel manicure, you will need:
- UV or LED lamp to harden gel nail polish,
- crystal or glass files to smoothen nail tips rather than shredding them with cheap files,
- nail buffer to prepare your nails to adhere to the gel polish properly and for a long time,
- cuticle oil to moisturize your nails before applying nail polish,
- rubbing alcohol to set the nail bed with a clean and unblemished surface to facilitate gel polish adhering to your natural nails,
- protein base coat to set the foundation for your gel nail polish and ensure its longevity,
- top coat to protect your gel manicure from environmental factors such as water or sunlight,
- gel nail polish of your choice – remember to choose a reputable brand with a long-lasting formula that provides you with a wide selection of colors.
A step-by-step guide
Once you know what you need for perfect gel nails at home, let’s go through the manicure process step-by-step.
Step 1: Prepare your nails
The preparation of your nails before gel nail polish application is crucial, and in fact, it usually turns out to be the longest step in the process. If you ignore it, you will not only ruin your nails but also not get the long-lasting effect of gel nails that we all love.
Therefore, you need to:
- cut your nails with a clean nail cutter,
- shape your nails with a glass or crystal file into a shape you like; it can be round, square, oval, or almond,
- apply a drop of cuticle oil on each nail, massage it, and gently push the cuticles back with the edge of a file,
- buff your nails to make them smooth,
- apply alcohol to your nails with a cotton pad and wait for it to dry.
Step 2: Apply a protein base coat
Once you are done with all the nail prep, it is time to apply a base coat to your nails. It is a necessary step; without it, gel nail polish won’t adhere to your nails.
Nevertheless, the layer of base coat should be thin and applied evenly across the whole nail.
After you put it on each of your nails, harden it for 30 seconds with your LED or UV lamp.
Step 3: Apply gel nail polish
Once your base coat is cured, it’s time to apply your gel nail polish.
Your nails, like the base coat, only require a thin, evenly spread layer of polish. After you apply gel to each of your nails on an entire hand, cure them for 30 seconds under the lamp.
Step 4: Apply a top coat
Finally, the last step is to apply a top coat that will provide your fresh manicure with a little protection. Cure it for 30 seconds under the lamp and add a few cuticle oil drops to add a hydrating finish.
It is a great idea to learn to do gel nails at home if you want to save money and get a little creative. If you equip yourself with all the necessary tools and follow the above step-by-step guide, you can easily do a perfect gel manicure by yourself.
