How to glue rhinestones onto gel polish: how to properly glue rhinestones on nails

Well-groomed nails and a beautiful manicure have become as important elements of the image as a haircut and well-chosen clothes. Every year, nail design gurus come up with new ways to stand out from the crowd. However, shiny rhinestones and stones consistently occupy top positions in manicure trends, along with classic French and graphic design.

Using rhinestones has become much more convenient and practical with the advent of gel polish. This manicure remains presentable for a long time and, with the correct selection of glue, the decorations are securely attached to the surface. In this article we will look in detail at how to glue rhinestones onto gel polish so that they do not fall off. What adhesive to choose and how to then remove these same rhinestones without damaging the nail plate.

Choice of rhinestones

The modern market offers rhinestones for every taste: all kinds of sizes, colors and shapes. Often, the choice of one or another stone is a matter of taste, but keep in mind a few points:

Higher quality stones are made of glass or crystal; they are more durable, less susceptible to chipping, and look more expensive.
Plastic rhinestones are cheaper, but also lower in quality. On the other hand, if you need such decoration for one evening, why pay more?
Smaller stones are easier to attach and hold better.
Don't go for the cheapest materials. Even good glue cannot compensate for the low quality of the stone.
If the rhinestone is not frayed or chipped, it can be safely used a second time. So for lovers of shiny manicure, it makes sense to immediately opt for high-quality pebbles.

Rhinestones made from Swarovski crystals are especially popular.

You can also glue beads (caviar manicure) and bouillons (small balls similar to beads) onto your nails.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes that beginners often make when working with rhinestones:

Wrong choice of material. If a representative of the fair sex plans to wear rhinestones for a long time, then her choice should fall on products made of glass, or, in extreme cases, metal. Plastic stones will quickly lose their original appearance.
Lack of patience. If you apply a fixative to the varnish that has not dried, the life of the manicure will be short.
Too much quantity and color. Too many large stones on one nail look cumbersome, and stones of all colors on the same nail look strange.
Applying too large stones to short nails. This manicure looks disproportionate.

Glue selection

A reliable way to fix rhinestones on your nails is to put them on glue. But which glue to choose? Is it possible to take advantage of the ubiquitous moment or is it still worth purchasing a special composition?

On the one hand, nothing will happen to your nails from using household glue. But, on the other hand, not all rhinestones can survive this. There is a high risk of dissolving the shiny film in the base, then the stones will lose their attractive shine. The first at risk will be plastic samples.

Moreover, non-specialized compositions do not guarantee reliable adhesion of the stones to the varnish, so you can lose all the beauty on the way to work or somewhere else.

Characteristics of specialized glue:

Effectively glue rhinestones and other decorative elements.
Convenient small bottles, equipped with a special brush.
Transparent composition of medium viscosity.
Affordable price.
Multifunctional: in addition to decoration, this glue can seal a nail crack, as well as glue extended nails or tips.
Some manufacturers claim that the composition additionally strengthens the nail and protects against UV rays.

By the way, special glue is often sold along with rhinestones.

Note: an alternative to glue can be placing rhinestones on gel polish.

How to stick rhinestones on nails?

You can only glue rhinestones onto prepared nails, so first we remove all dirt, remove the cuticle, it is also advisable to polish the surface of the nail with a soft file/buff. The better the nail plate is prepared, the better the polish and decorative elements will adhere to it.

Stages of applying gel polish:

Preparation of nail plate.
Degreasing.
Application of primer.
Applying a base layer of gel (drying in a lamp).
Applying color (2 layers, each layer of gel is dried in a lamp).
Decoration.
Fixing (drying in a lamp).
Removing the sticky layer.

The rhinestones themselves can be attached in two ways: with gel polish or with special glue. Below we will discuss these methods in detail.

For gel polish (shellac)

This method is very popular with both nail technicians and those who like to do their own manicures. It provides good adhesion, and decorative elements do not cling to clothing.

Important! If you decide to use this method, you need to come up with the design and layout in advance. Because in the process you won’t have time for this.

Next, we prepare the nail for applying gel polish : clean it, remove the cuticle, make a shape, polish the nail plate.
The next step is to apply the base and two layers of gel polish (each layer is dried in a special lamp).
First, we apply a topcoat (top coat) to the nails on which the design is not intended. Dry it in a lamp.
Next, apply the top coat to the nail where the rhinestones will be, but do not dry it. Using tweezers (a thin brush, a toothpick or an orange stick), carefully make the layout. At the same time, you need to press on the stones so that they sink a little in the varnish. Then we dry them in a lamp.
You can correct the position of the rhinestone using the same stick, brush or toothpick. As long as the composition has not hardened, this will not be difficult.

Important! You don’t need to design all your nails at once. We applied the top coat to one nail, decorated it, dried it in a lamp, and moved on to the other nail.

After all the rhinestones are attached, take the brush and brush the top over your decorated nails again. Try not to get the material on the pebbles; carefully coat all the spaces between them.
Finally dry it in a lamp (at least 2 minutes).

We remove the sticky layer with a special liquid (some tops do not have a sticky layer, then nothing else needs to be done).

With special glue

The second effective method of attaching rhinestones to nails is special glue:

First, you still need to do a manicure, cover your nails with a base and two layers of gel polish (each applied layer is dried in a lamp).
Next you will need glue and a sharpened orange stick (you can use a toothpick).
The glue can be applied either to the nail (use a stick to place the glue dot in the desired place) or to the rhinestone itself. Try it, see which method is more convenient for you personally.
We wait until the glue dries. Check the drying time in the glue instructions (often on the tube itself).
We carefully apply the topcoat, covering all joints, but not getting it on the stones. Dry it in a lamp.

Important! It is better to choose a top coat without a sticky layer. Less chance of damaging the structure.

Let's get to the fun part

In order to make a beautiful shining manicure at home, you will need to perform the following steps (we take into account that your nails already have a base coat and a shellac coating treated with a UV lamp, all that remains is to stick on the rhinestones):

Apply special glue to the flat side of the pebble. A small drop will be enough.
Taking tweezers, carefully place the rhinestone in the desired place. Remember that when creating a pattern, the very first element must be placed 1.5 mm below the end of the nail. All subsequent elements must be located below it.
Press the lined rhinestones with a special stick. If you do not have the necessary tool, use a regular soft pencil.
Be patient. The pattern should dry well. You can use the UV lamp again.
At the end of the magical action, you need to apply a top coat (without stickiness).
Using a thin brush, work into the empty spaces around the rhinestones.
Using a clinser, wipe all finished nails so that they shine brightly.

To ensure that your homemade pattern lasts as long as possible, remember to purchase special glue for shellac.

How to remove rhinestones from nails?

If the rhinestones are glued well, they should not fall off during wear. To remove decorations you can:

Use gel polish remover. The base will get wet and you can simply pick off the rhinestones with an orange stick or a manicure pusher.
Decorations placed on glue can be removed with a special compound.
Mechanical action is often sufficient. The pebble can be picked off with a manicure pusher or old tweezers. Don't worry about your nail, there are still a few layers of varnish between it and the rhinestones.

Design

Knowing the technology of how to glue rhinestones onto shellac, you can create interesting and varied manicure designs. A particularly complex and interesting design can be made if the rhinestones are glued with glue and can last a long time. If self-adhesive rhinestones are used, then whether or not to spend energy on a complex design that will only delight the day is an individual decision.

Rhinestones are most often used in the decoration of French manicure. They make it more individual, original and sophisticated. At the same time, it does not become vulgar, even if quite a lot of rhinestones are used. Simple transparent rhinestones look most organic with it, but sometimes solutions made in color seem original and unusual. It is better to stick rhinestones onto shellac, moving from large to small, as shown in the video.

Iron-on stickers with rhinestones

You can make your life easier by using iron-on adhesives (appliqués) with rhinestones. In fact, these are ready-made designs made of rhinestones, laid out on a special thermal film. It is transferred to the nail using a heat press or a special thermal applicator for rhinestones.

To glue thermal rhinestones you need:

Prepare your nail (it should be clean and smooth).
Apply the sticker to the nail, heat it up and iron it with a heat press or soldering iron applicator.
Wait 3 minutes until the glue cools down.

This method saves time, plus the stones last longer. However, it requires additional equipment.

Rhinestones - what kind of decor is this?

One of the most popular decorative elements is rhinestones; if glued correctly, they will last more than 3 weeks. You can buy them in stores with manicure supplies.

To make your manicure look expensive, don’t skimp on consumables. Many beginners order stones on AliExpress, but this is not worth doing. It is quite difficult to find quality products in Chinese stores. Better pay attention to famous Russian stores:

ru,
Odiva.ru.

On these sites you can purchase diamond chips, voluminous rhinestones, and even special sets for beginners. Rhinestone sizes vary from 0.8 to 8.4 mm.

Important: Only decorative cold-fix rhinestones are suitable for nails. They can be made from various materials.

What are rhinestones made from:

Acrylic is the most common and cheapest material, but it fades quickly.
Glass is more reliable than acrylic, but is inferior to crystal in shine.
Crystal rhinestones are very expensive, but they are worth it, because they are durable, shine well and are not afraid of chipping. Swarovski rhinestones are made from crystal, mined and cut using a special technology, they are already approaching precious stones.

Such manufacturers of rhinestones have proven themselves well:

TNL,
Lianails,
Konad,
Preciosa.

For an unusual design - the shape and size of rhinestones

Classic rhinestones are round, but other shapes can be found on sale: oval, drop, triangle and square.

Other options for shiny elements:

broths are small metal beads of different colors. It is more convenient to distribute them over the entire nail with a fan brush;
pixie - crystal chips imitating broken glass;
hemispheres look like pearls or cat's eyes;
charms are more complex designs for design in the form of various figures, such as snowflakes, bows and stars.

All these decorative elements are glued in the same way as rhinestones.

Useful tips

Finally, we have collected useful tips and life hacks for you that will help you create a beautiful and high-quality manicure with rhinestones:

Be responsible when choosing materials. Quality stones will look better, last longer and can be reused a second time. Choose a good gel polish so that it does not crack or bubble after drying.
When gluing rhinestones, it is better to use topcoats without a sticky layer, and the topcoat should not be too liquid.
Manicurists prefer to apply the nails using an orange stick dipped in water.
Try not to get the top coat on the surface of the rhinestones. This causes them to lose their attractive shine.
Small pebbles hold better.
It's better not to get carried away with large rhinestones. A large number of large decorations can make a manicure not only uncomfortable, but also vulgar.

There are a great many options for displaying rhinestones. With their help, you can do a French manicure, a moon manicure, lay out a graphic design, add rhinestones to an artistic painting (for example, put a rhinestone in the center of a flower), cover the entire surface with rhinestones, etc. Try, experiment, but follow moderation.