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What do we know about gel nail paint with a thick consistency, which is sold in small jars? The mass is intended for artistic painting; the product is used in many techniques and their branches. The gel-like composition is indispensable when modeling reptile skin, casting, when you need to make a knitted pattern and three-dimensional design, as well as draw a simple flower.
The composition of the paint is very universal; the latest development vaguely resembles gel polish with a Vyatka and thick texture. Thanks to its dense composition, the mass is used in a laid-out jacket when modeling a smile. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the product, since it truly is an indispensable tool for nail design.
Gel nail paint, what is it?
Paint is a nail material that is used to paint nails. The appearance of the coloring matter is vaguely similar to gouache, but the composition is fundamentally different. The product has a well-pigmented composition; the formulation contains gel, so the paint is most often used when covering nails with shellac.
The gel has a very thick and viscous consistency that does not flow during the painting process.
Performing gel and acrylic manicures with paints is very easy because you can create multiple designs with one color. Let's take a simple knitted manicure as an example; with the help of a dense texture, beautiful patterns are obtained, which subsequently wake up like velvet sand. One paint can be used in the monogram technique, used in casting, as well as in simple plate decoration. Often, using the same paint, a smile is made in a jacket.
Color gel has a huge palette of shades. In addition to the rich colors that we are used to seeing in the regular palette, there are also shimmer tones, the color of gold, bronze, and silver. The composition may have a slight shimmer, a pleasant shimmer, which is somewhat different from the usual classic colors. In the traditional version, the product is matte. In an improved format, it has a shimmering effect with a beautiful pearl shimmer.
Gel polish: features
Gel polish created a sensation with its appearance - it was immediately loved because it did not require filing off the nail and sitting for hours with a nail technician. Gel polish is basically a polish that lasts several times longer than usual. What advantages does it have:
- Ease of application . Gel polish is perfectly distributed over the surface of the nail plate, covering it with a dense layer.
- Persistence . On average, this coating lasts on nails for 2 to 3 weeks. Some are more lucky, some less. But this takes longer than coating with regular varnish.
- Color saturation . Gel polishes have a denser texture and more saturated colors (compared to regular nail polish), and the color palette is quite extensive.
One could consider this type of nail coating ideal, but it also has disadvantages - for example, it cannot be used on long nails . No, of course you can use it, but at longer lengths it chips faster. Therefore, for those who like to wear nails longer than average, this option is not very suitable.
Another disadvantage is the inability to apply a pattern with small fragments. Gel polish is liquid, so it spreads over the surface of the nail. This makes it unsuitable for applying small patterns - for large fragments it is suitable, for small fragments a different material is needed. But this can be considered a minus only for fans of such coverage.
Advantages and disadvantages
I would immediately like to note the quality of the design, which does not spread on the plate. If you compare colored gel for painting with shellac, the texture is completely different in appearance.
To paint an element with varnish, you need to paint one place several times. In the case of polymer, due to the thick consistency, such efforts are not necessary.
Nail design is easy to do with gel paint, since the mass is well pigmented. The colored mass was simply created for the “Chinese painting” technique, when you need to draw out a painting element with one stroke. The dense, thick consistency allows you to distribute the mass over the plate so that it is enough for the entire element of the design.
Differences in appearance
What is the difference between gel polish and gel paint? The difference is already noticeable in the appearance of these products. Gel polish is packaged in small bottles with a brush up to twelve milliliters in volume. It looks exactly the same as regular polish. But you won’t be able to fix it without a special ultraviolet lamp. As for gel paint, it is packaged in small plastic jars with a lid. When you open the lid of the product for the first time, you will see a protective film, only after getting rid of it will you be able to use this product. Of course, this point is mandatory only if the product is truly of high quality. In order to use gel paint, you will need to purchase an additional brush, since gel paint never comes with its own brush. Now you know how gel polish differs from gel paint in appearance.
What is the difference between gel paints and gel varnishes
Gel for painting is very different from polymer for nail extensions. Firstly, the material for extensions is used in a comprehensive manner: with a base and top. When working with polymer, the material is applied in a certain sequence, and only after that the nails have the correct architecture and a solid base.
The composition of paint is very similar to polymer, but it has a huge range of colors. You can work with the product at all stages; it is not necessary to use any sequence; it can be applied during nail modeling, for example, as is the case with a French manicure, or used in a design by laying it on top of a grease-free surface.
Removing material
How does gel polish differ from gel paint in terms of material removal? The first material is removed using a remover and foil. The procedure is quite simple. Nails should be soaked in remover and water, and then remove the product from the nail plate. But as for gel paint, remover will not help here. The thin coating of paint should be filed off the nail with a nail file. Experienced craftsmen are not afraid of this; the procedure is really very simple. Moreover, as already mentioned at the very beginning of this article, the nail industry does not stand still. Now any coating is most often removed using a special manicure apparatus and a ceramic cutter. This makes the job much easier and faster. It doesn’t matter what you used to create the coating on your nails, you can easily remove everything using a device with a cutter.
Kinds
Gel products always leave a mark, but the improved formula has allowed manufacturers to develop new types that, after polymerization, do not have a dispersion layer. This is certainly a very convenient option; it speeds up the process of completing your manicure. However, in the case of casting, when the foil is imprinted on a three-dimensional pattern, the sticky mark is very important.
We touched on the main differences and discussed what colors the paint comes in. But this is not the main distinguishing point of the product for the design of natural and artificial plates. The main feature that distinguishes one paint from another today is the presence of a dispersion after polymerization.
With a sticky layer
Today in the nail industry, masters use two types of paint. The first is sticky, the second is dried in a LED lamp, but there is no trace when finished. This is due to the fact that when designing, for example, monograms or a floral motif, it is better to use a material that does not have dispersion. In the case of casting techniques, where it is necessary to put a print on the foil on the drawn contour, this feature must be present.
No sticky layer
During the modeling process, you may not notice a global difference if you use a different type of material after polymerization. However, when performing certain techniques, the presence of a dispersion trace is very noticeable. The beautiful three-dimensional technique with foil is performed only on a sticky surface, and without this feature the design simply cannot be completed.
What is the difference between different brands of gel paints?
The founder of Emi is Ekaterina Miroshnichenko, a world champion and two-time European medalist in nail design. The products of this brand are of high quality. Emi gel paint is produced to special order in Germany, which accounts for the rather high cost - 400 rubles per 5 grams. The composition has a special consistency that prevents it from spreading. Thanks to this, the gel paint can be gradually applied to all nails without intermediate polymerization. The video presents a new collection of materials from Emi “Nude Cashmere” and a master class using casting technology in nail design.
A more budget-friendly option is gel paint from Irisk. At the time of publication of the article, the cost of products in the official online store is 240 rubles per 5 grams of the composition. Unlike the above brand, Irisk gel paint is presented in a very limited color palette. All shades are pastel, dim and have muted notes. For this reason, Irisk gel paint is most often used to create discreet nail designs, such as French nails. Muted tones allow the material to be used not only for modeling, but also as a final coating.
When creating a nail design, you can experiment with both drawings and the gel compositions themselves. You shouldn’t focus on one brand, because every year manufacturers in the nail industry offer the latest developments . Currently, gel paint for nail design is presented on the market under many brands with different pricing policies and quality levels. As an example, we invite you to watch a presentation video from another company -. Whatever brand you choose, don’t be afraid to experiment and try something new, discovering unexplored horizons of nail art!
How to apply gel paint: step-by-step instructions
Even in its infancy, when shellac first appeared, many masters used varnishes for painting nails. During the work process, the design was always covered with a finish that prevented the design from cracking or wearing off.
Today there is no need to take such actions. The improved formula for design contains a composition that can be applied to any surface, both during the modeling process and for painting on the finished coating.
In most cases, colored material for painting is applied to a degreased surface, after which it is dried in a lamp and does not require removing the sticky layer.
Gel paint is very easy to use for nail design. A leading nail art specialist shares how to use it step by step at a master class.
*Perform a manicure that removes dead skin cells from the side ridges and cuticles.
*Adjust the length. If this is not necessary, be sure to file the end of the plate anyway.
*Take a fine file and remove the natural gloss from the nail.
*Brush off any remaining cut with a brush, degrease the plate and coat with primer.
*Perform the usual three-phase coating - apply base, colored gel polish and top coat.
*Use a lint-free cloth and a special product to remove the dispersion layer.
*Now you can start designing. Choose any color and prepare your brushes.
*Put some painting gel on your brush and apply the first stroke. You can choose any style to decorate the plate, even ethnic motifs. The pattern does not need to be dried during operation; the material holds its shape well and does not spread.
*Do not place the design too close to the end so that the design does not begin to chip.
*Dry the pattern in a lamp. Choose the time based on the type of ice or uv machine.
After the design dries, you can see that there is a small dispersion layer on the surface. It is very easy to remove using a lint-free cloth and dispersion remover. If you used a material that does not have a sticky residue, then you can safely go about your business.
What's better?
A little higher, we already found out that gel and gel polishes differ in their purpose, although they have many similar measures for use. It is impossible to definitely say which is better, since these products are from the “one without the other does not exist” series. Many masters are accustomed to strengthening their nails first with a small amount of gel, and then applying the color coating directly with the gel polishes themselves. You can use varnishes without gel, but the nail will then be a little less strong, although the effect of long-term preservation of nails in a well-groomed form will remain. Both products lose their properties due to environmental influences, so no matter how luxurious the material is, you need to take care of your nails yourself so as not to create reasons for premature removal of the material from the nail plate.
The most important rule that will help maintain a presentable appearance of your nails for up to three to four weeks is to wear rubber gloves before each dishwashing and each wet cleaning. They will prevent harmful chemicals contained in detergents from reaching the surface of your nails.
Every girl should take care of her appearance, keep up with the latest fashion trends in order to look more confident and stylish. It is necessary not only to know about cosmetic procedures, but also to understand why and for what purpose this or that material used during the procedure is used.
Review of brands of gel paints for manicure
Today, there are a huge number of brands that offer their products to nail art masters. Nail materials are sold in any city, including Moscow. For nail design, you can choose any product and start modeling. To make it easier for you to choose from the abundance of brands, we have made a selection of the best-selling products that are leading the market today.
Kodi
The time-tested Kodi brand produces manicure products. The list of products includes materials for extensions, covering natural plates that dry in uv or led lamps. In addition to basic materials, the brand produces design products. A wide palette of colors allows craftsmen to perform various designs and apply a certain direction or technique. The palette also includes gold and silver colors with good pigmentation.
Emi
Manufacturer Emi presented its products in a slightly different color. To release the thick mass, he created small tubes from which the products are squeezed out. The brand even took care of beginners and released products in 5 gram tubes, which are intended for beginners. The set contains about 10 colors.
For salons, you can purchase large jars that will last a long time. For mini sets, it is additionally better to purchase a palette or take some kind of handy device into which the gel will be squeezed out. It can be mixed, including with a top or base, to obtain translucent colors.
Runail
Compared to the Emi brand, the Runail gel mass has a large volume. It is better to purchase the product for salon use, where there is a constant flow of people. To avoid spending money on buying all existing shades, purchase the main colors. If there is a lack of color, mix the palette to obtain the desired tone.
Regarding the composition, we can say the following: the dense gel does not spread, has an optimal consistency for modeling the plate, as well as design. Dries well in the rays of ice and UV lamps.
Canni
Canni products belong to a number of budget products. The correct consistency and dense pigmentation are used for classic coating and artificial extension of the plate. The products are mixed together to obtain the desired shades, and are also used to perform casting techniques and other areas. Gel paint goes on smoothly on nails, and the abundant selection of colors will definitely please both beginners and experts.
Miranda
For some, the Miranda brand is a little-known brand, but with the help of this product, nails with gel paint get a masterpiece look, so it’s worth trying its product. The material is used in most directions. The volume of the jar is small - only 8 ml. But thanks to such a jar and low cost, the products occupy a leading position.
How to use it correctly?
To apply a painting or design, you will need special manicure brushes, but you can use artistic ones.
In addition to brushes, other tools are needed:
- palette (can be replaced with a plate, a piece of foil or a plastic board);
- dots (used for drawing circles and flowers);
- UV lamp;
Before decorating, you should prepare your nails. To do this, follow the usual procedures:
- steam baths;
- moisturizing cream;
- treatment of the cuticle area;
- giving the plate a certain shape depending on the type of manicure;
- degreasing the surface;
- applying the base;
- coating the plate with gel polish;
- drying under a UV lamp;
Step-by-step instructions for using gel paint:
- Apply a design to the previously prepared nail plate with a thin brush.
- Correct the contours with an orange stick.
- Dry the nail under a UV lamp for 1-2 minutes (the time should correspond to the recommendations on the package).
- Apply the finishing polish and put your nails under the lamp again.
If the coating leaves a sticky layer, you need to remove it with a cotton pad and an alcohol-containing solution.
Design Variations:
- multi-colored banners with gradient transitions;
- design of the French zone;
- complex toning transitions;
- in casting technology;
- in combination with decor: rhinestones, lace, mesh, colored powder, etc.;