Technologies in the cosmetics industry are developing every day. They never cease to delight women who cannot imagine themselves without a manicure with their innovations. What can we say about manicure?! Even the usual coating with simple varnish has faded into the background. After all, the focus is on gel polish, which has already won the hearts of many representatives of the fair sex. This is not surprising, because gel polish is a good alternative to extended nails. The secret of the varnish lies in its properties.
Gel polish, oddly enough, is a hybrid of varnish and gel. Moreover, its functions are associated with the best properties of varnish and gel; it can stay on the nails for about 20 days. This is an excellent indicator and panacea for those girls who are tired of changing their nail polish after 2-3 days.
If you are “lucky” to buy a cheap varnish, then it will generally last until the first immersion of your nails in water. But gel polish will provide high-quality durability for up to 3 weeks. This property is precisely associated with the gel.
Gel polish is as easy to apply as regular polish (with the exception of some points). If you are a fan of unusual solutions, then salon technicians can offer you to mix several colors of gel polish, creating an unusual shade. This is the practice now.
The popularity of this product, in addition to the above properties, is associated with the harmlessness of gel polish. But only if you give the nail plate a periodic rest.
For example, if applying gel polish took six months, then you should abandon this procedure for a month. After the expiration date, the nail coating can be restored.
A salon manicure procedure with gel polish is not cheap. But this does not stop girls from knocking on the thresholds of salons. After all, it’s better to pay for quality than to enjoy painting your nails every day.
Applying gel polish to nails is so popular that many girls have already abandoned other methods of coating.
A gel polish coating kit can be purchased at specialized cosmetic stores. Therefore, the girls, without thinking twice, decided to apply gel polish themselves, saving both time and money.
Of course, you will first have to spend money on purchasing all the components, but subsequent procedures will pay off, because the price in the salon is much higher. To do this, you just need to learn the step-by-step application of gel polish.
First, let's decide on the components that will be required:
- gel polishes (base, colored polish, top);
- degreaser (you can use acetone, but it can greatly dry out the nail plate);
- alcohol;
- ultraviolet lamp (at least 36 W);
- brushes (optional, if you want to create an unusual manicure).
First step. Prepare the nail plate
The best way to prepare your nails is to get a manicure.
If this is not possible, then you should move the cuticle with an orange stick. Whether to cut the cuticle or not is up to you. Next, you should adjust the length and shape of the nail.
It is important to check each nail for cracks. If there is a crack at the edge of the nail, the gel polish may break off.
If the nail peels off, you should file the nail plate with a non-hard file.
Use a buff to remove the top keratin layer of the nail plate, removing the gloss.
This way the varnish will last longer. After this, under no circumstances should you wash the dishes, prepare a sandwich, or get your husband ready for work. Everything must be sterile.
Third step. Degreasing
To do this, simply wipe your nails with a disinfectant or nail polish remover containing acetone. You need to carefully wipe the end and sides of the nail.
Fourth step. The basis
The base is needed for better adhesion of the varnish and the nail plate. It also contains vitamins and substances that precede the penetration of color varnish pigments.
You need to apply the base in one thin layer, leaving 2 mm from the cuticle. If you apply the base in a thick layer, the gel polish will chip faster. You cannot apply the base to the end and edges of the nail. Polymerization in a 36 W ultraviolet lamp takes 2 minutes.
Fifth step. Applying colored varnish
Before applying, colored varnish must be mixed, but not shaken! When shaken, the gel polish is enriched with bubbles, so we simply roll it in our hands, literally warming the bottle with its warmth.
The first colored coat of varnish should be applied in a thin layer. It is very important. Moreover, you need to retreat from the cuticle by 1 mm. The polymerization time of the first layer is 2 minutes (it is better to overdry than not to dry).
If your gel polish spreads, then you can place each painted nail in the lamp for 5-10 seconds.
If you are already satisfied with the result, then there is no need to paint the second layer. If you need a rich color, then you need to apply a second layer of varnish using the same principle. - read here.
Sixth step. Top coating
The topcoat should be thicker than the varnish.
Moreover, it is necessary to print the free edge of the nail plate.
After this, be sure to dry your nails well.
Seventh step. Removing the sticky layer
After drying, you need to remove the sticky layer with alcohol or a special product.
Gel polish coating decorates your nails without harm. Special products will provide nutrition to the nail plate.
The main thing is to follow the rules when applying gel polish and then you can easily save yourself from grueling repainting of your nails in a day or two.
However, to remove gel polish you need to purchase special products, otherwise you risk damaging the nail plate.
Video lesson - how to properly apply gel polish master class
The usual varnish has faded into the background in the lives of modern girls. It is not particularly durable, requires frequent correction, and does not protect or strengthen the nail. Shellac and gel polish have gained popularity. These products provide long-lasting coverage that can last up to 3.5 weeks. More than half of women who have applied gel polish once completely abandon plain polish and apply gel again and again. How to do a manicure with gel polish at home? We have prepared a small reminder for you that will help you a lot.
Advantages and disadvantages of gel polish coating
Gel polish, like any other coating, has its pros and cons. And the advantages include:
- Strengthens nails and protects them from injury. Even the thinnest and weakest nails can be grown to a decent length using gel.
- It adheres firmly to the nails and does not require weekly correction. Great for busy and active people.
- Using the gel, you can not only cover natural nails, but also increase their length. Gel polish is great for extensions.
But there are also several disadvantages:
- Gel polish is quite difficult to remove on your own.
- Before coating, the nail must be filed off, and this violates the integrity of the nail plate.
- Gel polish is more expensive than a regular manicure.
- It should not be done too often. Nails should rest.
Nail preparation
Before applying the gel, you need to treat your nails. Get a manicure, trim or hardware. Remove rough areas of skin and hangnails. Give your nails the desired shape.
What you need to cover your nails with gel polish
To cover your nails with gel, you need to prepare the following materials:
- Primer.
- Base.
- Gel polish of the required shade.
- Finish.
- Cuticle oil.
- Gel polish remover (if you suddenly need to correct or change something).
To create a manicure using gel polish you will also need:
- Accessories for manicure (scissors, tongs, orange sticks, etc.).
- Lamp for drying gel polish.
- Buff and files.
- Gel brush set.
Step-by-step instruction
When you have done your manicure and prepared all the materials and tools, you can proceed:
- Use a buff to buff the nail plate. This is necessary so that the gel polish adheres better to the nail. This will provide a strong coating that won't go away for several weeks. Don't remove too much or put pressure on the file. Nails should become matte.
- Apply primer to your nails or use a cotton pad soaked in, for example, an alcohol solution or nail polish remover. Rub each nail until it squeaks, this step can be repeated several times.
- Apply base to the nail. Apply a thin, even coating. Take your time, the base will not harden like regular varnish. Using smooth movements, distribute the product over the nail plate. Don't forget about the end of the nail.
- Place the base coat on your nails under the lamp for 3 minutes or 30 seconds, depending on its type (read the instructions carefully). Be careful, try not to touch anything with your nails, otherwise there will be a mark that will spoil the whole look, and then the color coating will not lie as it should.
- Apply colored gel to the base, which has already dried under the lamp. Also, take your time when applying it with a brush. Try to do everything carefully and evenly. If you leave a mark on the skin around the nail, carefully remove it with a wooden stick.
- Dry the first layer of colored gel in a lamp for the required time.
- Let's look at the result. If the first layer of gel is streaky or the color is not saturated enough, don’t worry. Apply a second layer and dry in a lamp.
- If necessary, you can go over the brush a third time.
- Each layer must be well dried. Watch this carefully.
- After all layers have dried under the lamp, apply the topcoat. It will give your nails shine and beautiful highlights will shine on them. It is better to dry the final coating twice as long as the previous layers.
- Remove the sticky layer with a special product. Go over each nail with a cotton pad soaked in the solution.
Most women experience brittle nails. In order for their nails to grow healthy, many representatives of the fair sex spend a lot of money on products that ultimately do not give any effect. The best remedies are nail vitamins, olive oil and proper nutrition. You can also strengthen your nails with gel yourself at home. It does not take a lot of time.
With the help of gel polish - a special coating, your manicure will be flawless for two weeks. Today, this product will surprise few people, because it is used by masters in many nail salons. Not everyone knows that such a coating can be applied at home. Many girls believe that buying gel and a lamp is not profitable, and besides, such a manicure requires special skills. In fact, all the products + a lamp cost no more than two trips to the salon, and you can learn how to apply gel polish to your nails very quickly. There are no difficulties in the technique of covering nails with gel. The main thing is to follow a certain sequence.
-2017
Benefits of gel polish manicure
Gel polish has become widespread among women due to many advantages, which include:
- good color stability;
- presence of bright shine;
- simplicity and ease of application;
- drying speed;
- safety for nails.
A manicure done using gel polish will last on the nails for two to three weeks (provided that the technology has been fully followed). During this time, the nails will retain their appearance and shine, while eliminating the possibility of cracks and delaminations.
Materials and tools for manicure with gel polish
In order to properly apply gel polish you need:
- Manicure set for preparing nails for applying gel;
- Polishing buffer for plate leveling;
- Degreaser;
- Primer;
- Transparent gel base;
- Color gel;
- Transparent top coat for gel polish, optionally matte, with glitter, etc.;
- Lint-free wipes for removing the residual layer;
- UV lamp with a power of 36 watts for drying the coating.
This list includes the required minimum of materials so that the instructions for applying gel polish in one tone are fully followed. Depending on the type and complexity of the design, you may need several shades of gel polish, as well as sparkles, rhinestones, stickers and other nail design elements. To perform a French manicure, which is very popular among fashionistas, you will also need stencils.
The home manicure technique consists of several stages.
Stages of applying gel polish at home
After purchasing a set with all the necessary components for performing a gel manicure, you can get down to business. The lessons learned and master classes will help ensure that the technology is performed exactly:
- The gel coating is applied only after the preparatory manicure, because the varnish coating should not get on the cuticle;
- After this, the nail plate is carefully polished with a special buff having an abrasiveness of 220-260. With this step, the topmost layer is removed;
- Without degreasing your nails, the polish will not last long. Pharmacy boric alcohol or a special product is suitable for this;
- Next, you need to dry your nails using a primer, which will also prepare them before applying the base coat;
- Apply the base coat. It will make the final connection between the nail and the varnish;
- The layer must be cured with a UV lamp within 2 minutes. This will ensure the reliability of the entire manicure;
- Let's start applying the color coating. It is performed in 2 stages with mandatory lamp drying for 3-4 minutes after each layer;
- Then the manicure is completed with a top coat. Drying this stage in a lamp takes 2 minutes;
- After this, you will be able to notice the appearance of a sticky layer on your nails. A degreaser applied to a cotton pad will help remove it.
HOW TO EXTEND THE WEARING LIFE OF GEL POLISH
In order for the gel polish to stay on your nails for the longest possible period of time, you need to follow some simple rules:
- After performing a manicure, you must leave your hands dry for at least two hours.
- You shouldn’t put extra stress on your nails, because they have a tensile strength that may not be enough.
How to remove and remove gel polish
This manicure can be removed using cotton wool soaked in special. solution, which are applied to the nails, then wrapped in foil and left for several minutes. The varnish softens and peels off under the influence of the product.
You may be able to remove it easily, since it comes off completely in the form of a film, but unpleasant hooks and irregularities may remain on the nails, which will spoil the appearance of the nail.
Unlike regular varnish, after completing a manicure, you can immediately get on with any business without fear that the coating will be scratched or torn off. Therefore, for those who have such a problem, gel polish is an excellent solution.
Salon procedures require time and expense, try taking care of your nails at home; if you do this regularly, you won’t have problems with your hands.
Gel polishes last a long time and look more impressive than regular ones. You can buy them, as well as a special dryer, in a beauty salon store or order online, which is even cheaper. Working with such devices is much easier than it seems. Study this mini-lesson and move from theory to practice.
What's included in a home manicure kit?
Required set of tools for home manicure:
- nippers and trimmer for removing cuticles;
- manicure scissors for cuticles and nail trimming;
- polishing file;
- cuticle file.
Of course, this is an incomplete set, but it is quite sufficient for manicure at home.
You will also need materials:
- gel mask to soften cuticles;
- mineral oil for the skin around the nails;
- colored gel polish;
- gel base coat;
- sparkles.
An ultraviolet lamp is required to fix the varnish. If you don't have a lamp, read about nail design methods and options in. 
Step-by-step nail treatment and design technique
Prepare natural nails: remove old polish, degrease the surface.
Apply cuticle remover gel, leave it on for 10 minutes, then remove with a cotton swab. 
Carefully remove softened skin, burrs, and trim nails. Thoroughly polish the nail plates and degrease them. 
Apply the base coat under the gel polish, dry it under a UV lamp (2 minutes).
Apply the first layer of colored gel polish to the dry base coat (no need to dry!). 
After a few minutes, apply a second layer of colored gel polish and let dry. 
Use a topcoat (final) colorless gel, dry it under a UV lamp. Remove the sticky layer formed after drying with a special liquid. 
Draw a very simple design with white gel polish (no need to dry!). The simpler the motif, the easier it is to decorate it. Complex patterns are suitable for special occasions; they are best done in a nail salon. 
Sprinkle the design with glitter powder. This can be done on clean paper so that the remaining powder can be used for another manicure. 
Use the UV lamp again to dry the drawing. Brush off any remaining powder with a brush. Apply mineral oil to the cuticles, rub it in, and distribute the residue onto your brushes. The oil is quickly and easily absorbed; there is no need to remove it. 
A simple home manicure does not require a special setting; it will not be difficult to do it in passing. You can apply ready-made parts to the topcoat: snowflakes, balls, rhinestones. In terms of time, a manicure at home takes no more than an hour, while in a salon you will spend 2-2.5 hours.
Having mastered this simple science, you can even make it for girlfriends or colleagues at low prices. You can practice creating interesting motifs even on thick cardboard, using the cheapest materials.
Don’t rush to leave the “Women’s Hobbies” site, we still have a lot of beauty tips and other useful articles for those who like to live an interesting life.
Before you take up the file, you will have to understand the terminology. There are gels that are dried under a special lamp - an ultraviolet or LED lamp. And there are hybrids - they are less durable, but they do not need to be dried under a lamp.
It is harmful?
It all depends on the quality of the coating you choose. For example, the Essie Gel gel coating contains vitamins E and B5, which take care of the nail plate.
What do you need to know?
- The base, color and top coat should be shaken well before applying to the nails.
- Do not use different brands of base coat, color coat or top coat. This is not a marketing ploy. “Native” products work better together, which means your manicure will last longer.
- Check which lamp the coating you have chosen works with. For example, Essie Gel only works with LED lamps. They are safer and high-tech.
How to apply gel coating?
Sand the nail plate with a soft manicure buffer.
Degrease your nails with a special product. Otherwise, the coating will not last longer than regular varnish.
Apply one thin, even coat of base coat. Place your hand in a special LED lamp for 30 seconds.
Apply one layer of gel. Place your hand in the LED lamp again for 30 seconds. This action must be done three times - according to the number of layers of varnish that you are going to apply.
Feel free to wipe your nails with a degreaser - it will remove the sticky layer.
How to remove gel coating?
Apply a special gel polish remover to a cotton pad, apply it to the nail plate and wrap your finger tightly in foil. After 15 minutes, remove the foil and remove the coating with a wooden stick.
What type of polish do you prefer – regular or gel polish?
