Beginner's Guide: How to Apply Gel Polish

28 Nov.,2024

 

Beginner's Guide: How to Apply Gel Polish

Whether you want a longer-lasting manicure or are just ready to level up your at-home manicure game and learn something new, applying gel nail polish is a new approach to traditional nail polish manicures with much longer-lasting results.

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In some ways, gel polish is pretty similar to regular nail polish, but in other ways, it's so different. So, toss away your quick-dry topcoat and get yourself an LED lamp. Bid farewell to chips on day two of wear and give yourself a manicure that will last for weeks. We're here to explain how to get a flawless gel nail polish application on your first try as a beginner with all the tips and tricks for newbies and professionals alike. 

Tips for Your Best Gel Manicure

Looking for some insider advice from the pros on what to do and what not to do when painting with gel nail polish? You've come to the right place. Let's dive into the tips you need to know. 

Don't Soak the Nails

When you soak your nails in warm water during a manicure, the point is to soften the cuticles so they are easier to trim as well as add to the soothing, luxurious experience of warm water and a hand massage. 

But when you are painting with gel nail polish, this is a traditional step that must be skipped. The reason is that when your nails absorb water, they expand. As they dry, they contract back to their regular state. If you apply gel nail polish and cure it on an expanded nail, when it goes back to its normal size the polish won't adhere properly and your manicure will have a shorter lifespan. Plus, you'll experience premature chipping and flaking. 

Pro Tip: If you need to slough off dead, dry cuticles, instead of soaking the nails in water to soften them, give your client's fingers a waterless sugar scrub. Just be sure it's all cleaned off with alcohol wipes prior to polishing.  

Care for the Cuticles

Just because you aren't soaking your fingernails, doesn't mean you should be neglecting the cuticles. Pushing back the cuticle will make for a larger nail bed (AKA a bigger canvas to paint on). If you have a layer of skin at the end of the nail, the gel polish won't adhere to the nail and will stick to the skin instead. Neglecting the cuticles will cause premature lifting and the gel manicure won't last as long as it should. 

Buff, Buff, Buff

Buffing will ensure the nail plate is free and clear of any remaining dead skin lingering near the cuticles. This is also crucial for removing the nail's natural oil and shine, which could act as a barrier between the nail and the polish.  

Pro Tip: Be sure you're buffing the nail on all sides, edges, and inner corners. Leave no surface area of the nail unbuffed! 

Cleanse

After all the filing and buffing, you will most definitely have residual dust and possibly pieces of skin on the nail leftover. Use a lint-free wipe or cleanser to clean off the nail so none of that will get stuck beneath the gel polish. 

Short Strokes

While you may be used to applying regular polish in long, fluid strokes, your approach to applying gel nail polish is quite the opposite. Since you are dealing with a polish with a thicker consistency, it is not as easy to control. Short strokes will ensure you get nice even lines around the edges and will be easier to handle. 

Cap the Edge

'Capping' the edge of the nail means painting polish on a single stroke onto the end of the nail. Putting a cap on the edge of the nail essentially seals up all your hard work and will help prevent the polish from lifting, making for a more long-lasting manicure. 

The Topcoat Is Key

Don't underestimate the power of the topcoat. It should be applied when you are satisfied with the gel polish pigment, the paint job, and after the color is cured. When finishing with the topcoat, be sure you don't miss anywhere on the nail where you painted with color gel. If some of the color is left uncovered by the topcoat, it will appear matte in some places as opposed to a full high-sheen across the entire nail. 

Tricks for Applying Polish

Now that you know some great tips, it's time to learn some insider tricks. These are the ways you can make your gel nail polish job even better, easier, and more efficient. 

Paint in Thin Layers

Switching from regular nail polish to gel is definitely an adjustment. You won't need as much polish on the brush as you would with regular nail polish. If you start with too much gel, you'll experience 'pooling' or 'flooding,' which is when the gel polish drips to the bottom of the nail and gets super thick around the cuticles and nail edge. Using thin coats will allow you to control the placement of the product better and help to avoid this problem.  

Less Is More When It Comes to Polish

With gel nail polish, a little goes a long way. Be sure to not have too much gel on your brush and don't try to have such a pigmented color on the first coat. Three to four coats of thin coats of gel nail polish will come out much better than two thick coats. 

Fix Mistakes Before Curing

There's a whole scientific explanation for how UV/LED light-activated gel nail polish works, but basically the resin in the nail polish reacts to the wavelengths emitted by the lamp and it hardens, adhering to the nail. Because of this, be sure to fix all mistakes or polish mishaps before curing the nail under the light. After it cures, it will be much harder to fix. 

Lotion the Skin Surrounding the Nail

If you don't have the most steady hand, you can cover your bases by being proactive and taking a small step to save you from cleanup later on. You can use a q-tip or nail brush to apply lotion to your client's cuticles before starting to paint the nail. This way, if you accidentally get some gel nail polish where you don't want it, it will easily wipe off the skin. 

What You'll Need to Do a Gel Manicure

Before we get into all the details about what to do, you'll need specific tools in order to do it. Here's your checklist: 

  • Cuticle pusher

  • Nail file and nail buffer

  • Nail dehydrator (optional, but recommended)

  • Basecoat 

  • Rubbing alcohol 

  • UV/LED Lamp

  • Gel nail polish - color 

  • Gel nail polish - top coat 

Step By Step

This is not a drill. If we are doing this, we plan to do it right and won't settle for less than spectacular! Nobody wants to walk around in drab gel nails, even if it is their first stab at applying it. Follow these steps to nail your first gel polish manicure. 

  1. File nails to the desired shape

  2. Push down the cuticles, clearing any skin from the nail plate

  3. Buff the entire nail, getting off any leftover skin from the nail plate

  4. Clean nails with an alcohol wipe 

  5. Apply nail dehydrator (optional) 

  6. Apply a thin coat of the base coat and cure under the UV/LED lamp for 30 seconds.

  7. Shake gel nail polish color to ensure the formula is properly mixed.

  8. Polish each nail with a thin layer of color in short strokes.

  9. Cure under the lamp after each coat for 60 seconds. 

  10. Cap each nail. 

  11. Apply the topcoat to the entire nail and add a cap. 

  12. Wipe each nail with rubbing alcohol. 

  13. Moisturize cuticles with cuticle oil. 

  14. Love your new gel manicure! 

In Conclusion

Gel nail polish is completely different from regular nail polish. From the consistency and the way it dries to best practices when applying it, it's not the same polish at all. Refer back to this ultimate list of tips and tricks when trying to figure out how to apply gel nail polish for the first time with the best results. 

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How to Apply Gel Polish Perfectly

Gel polish is now a hugely popular product and there is a huge variety of products on the market. But applying gel polish is not for the uninitiated, it's both an art and a science. So we want to give you our top tips, hacks and advice on how you can apply gel polish perfectly. So if you want to know how to apply gel nail polish perfectly, keep reading...

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Types Of Nail Polish Gel.

First up, let's explore what gel polish is and why it's so popular. Gel nail polish is essentially a gel-like formula that you apply to your nails, which then hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. Gel nail polish is different to traditional nail polishes in that there is no need for a topcoat and it will stay on your nails for weeks at a time - making it the perfect product for those who want long-lasting results. Gel polish is also known for its wide range of colours and finishes too, making it a popular choice for both professional nail technicians and home users alike.

What are the benefits of using gel nail polish? Gel polish is tougher and more durable than traditional nail polishes, so you won't have to worry about chips or smudges with this type of product. Gel polish also helps protect the nails, as it adds an extra layer of protection against everyday wear and tear. Gel polish can also be removed easily (click here for some tips) is long-lasting and looks great!

In order to apply gel polish perfectly, here are the materials you will need: Gel polish (of course!) a UV lamp or led light, a nail file, nail buffer, lint-free wipes, cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol.

Now it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty of applying your gel nail polish perfectly.

How to prepare the nails

Firstly ensure your nails are super clean:

1. Gently push back the cuticles and remove any dirt or dead skin cells

2. Use a nail file to shape the nails

3. Buff the surface of the nails with a nail buffer to create a smooth canvas for your polish

4. Apply a wipe-clean wipe

5. Apply a nail dehydrator to remove any remaining oils from the nails.

6. Apply a primer to enhance the adhesion of the gel polish.

Next, you should properly shape and file your nails:

1. Start by filing the nail tip in a single direction ' this helps to prevent chipping and tearing
2. File the sides of the nails in a circular motion; use an emery board for thinner nails and a metal file for thicker nails
3. Use a buffer to smooth out any rough edges or ridges

Now you should apply a base coat:

1. Start by applying a thin layer of base coat to the nails, making sure it's even on each nail
2. Use the brush provided with your gel polish to spread and shape the polish
3. Cure the base coat under a UV or LED lamp for 2 minutes
4. Finish by wiping off

Next up, let's apply the gel polish

How you can perfectly apply gel nail polish to the nails:

1. Start by applying a thin layer of gel polish to the nail
2. Use the brush provided with your gel polish to spread and shape the polish
3. Cure the first coat under a UV or LED lamp for 2 minutes
4. Apply a second coat of gel polish, and repeat steps 2-3 above

Top tips for achieving the perfect finish:

1. Always use a thin layer of gel nail polish ' it will prevent air bubbles and ensure an even finish
2. Make sure to spread the polish out evenly over each nail, taking care not to leave any streaks or lumps
3. Don't forget to cap the free edge of the nails with your brush ' this will help to keep the polish from chipping
4. Make sure to cure each coat under the UV or LED lamp for the recommended amount of time

How you should cure your gel polish manicure under an LED lamp:

1. Place your hands on the LED lamp and press the start button
2. The light will turn on, and you should ensure all nails are exposed to the light for at least 30 seconds
3. Once your manicure is complete, remove your hands from the lamp and press the stop button
4. Wipe clean!

Now it's time for the finishing touches

Here's how to apply a topcoat:

1. Start by applying a thin layer of topcoat to the nails, making sure it's even on each nail
2. Use the brush provided with your gel polish to spread and shape the polish
3. Cure the topcoat under a UV or LED lamp for 2 minutes
4. Once cured, gently wipe the topcoat off with a lint-free wipe

Here's how you properly clean up any smears:

1. Use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to gently clean up any smears or drips
2. Make sure not to rub too hard ' it can remove the colour of your polish
3. Once you've finished cleaning, use a lint-free wipe to remove any remaining residue

What about any sticky residue? How do you get rid of that?

1. Use a lint-free wipe and rubbing alcohol to gently remove any sticky residue
2. Make sure not to rub too hard ' it can damage the polish
3. Once you've finished, cleanse again with a wipe.

What about the maintenance and removal of gel nail polish at home?

Tips for maintaining your gel manicure and make it last longer:
 
1. Use a cuticle oil regularly to keep your nails hydrated
2. Avoid direct contact with water for at least an hour after application
3. Wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning surfaces
4. Always use a topcoat every few days to protect the colour and increase its longevity

How do you remove gel nail polish without damaging your nails?

We have written before about this topic at length but as a quick rundown, here's how:

1. Start by soaking cotton balls in acetone and placing them on each nail
2. Wrap the nails with tin foil to keep the cotton balls in place
3. Give this process at least 10 minutes ' you should be able to remove the polish without any effort
4. Once you've removed all the polish, use a buffer to shape the nails and moisturise with cuticle oil to hydrate your nails.

Are there any alternatives for removing gel polish?

Yes, there are! You can use an at-home removal kit which uses a combination of acetone and creams to break down the gel polish. This process is gentler on the nails as it doesn't require any soaking or wrapping.

To wrap up, Gel nail polish is a great option for those wanting long-lasting, chip-resistant nails. With the right products and techniques, you can achieve perfect results. Gel polish requires more preparation before application than regular nail polish but with practice, it can be mastered in no time! Make sure to follow our tips and advice for success.

We hope this article has provided you with the information and tips needed for Gel polish success, now let's explore some other frequently asked questions about how to apply gel polish perfectly.

Should you wipe after every layer of gel polish?

Gel Polish should not be wiped until after the top coat has been applied. Why? Excessive wiping will remove the inhibition layer which means the next coat would not adhere to the previous. 

Is it safe to use gel polish during pregnancy?

It is best to consult with a doctor before using Gel polish during pregnancy, as some chemicals found in Gel polishes can potentially be harmful.

Can you apply gel polish directly to nails?

No, Gel polish should never be applied directly to the nail. Gel polish needs to be applied over a base coat for better adhesion and longevity.

Do you need to use a lamp when applying gel nail polish?

Yes, Gel polish needs to be cured under a UV or LED lamp for the best results.

What is the best way to thin gel polish?

Add a few drops of Gel polish thinner to the Gel polish and stir it until fully blended.

How long should gel polish last?

Gel polish can last up to two or three weeks depending on the quality of the Gel polish and how it is applied. Check this post for information on this question.

Can you put regular nail polish over gel polish?

Yes, you can apply regular nail polish over Gel polish. However, after removing the Gel polish, any regular nail polish will also come off.

Can gel nails chip?

Yes, Gel nails can chip if not applied properly. This is why it's important to follow the correct steps and use quality Gel polish for the best results.

What happens if you get gel polish on your skin?

If Gel polish gets onto the skin, it should be removed immediately with an acetone-soaked cotton swab. If left for too long, Gel polish can dry on the skin and become difficult to remove.

Can you use gel polish on acrylic nails?

Yes, Gel polish can be used on acrylic nails. However, Gel polish tends to last longer and chip less when applied over natural nails.

How can I fix a gel polish mistake?

If you make a Gel polish mistake, you can use an acetone-soaked cotton swab to remove the Gel polish and start again.

Can you combine gel polish with regular nail polish?

Yes, Gel polish and regular nail polish can be used together. Gel polish should always be applied on top of regular nail polish for longer-lasting results.

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