Modern nail design can no longer be imagined without modern innovative gel polishes, which literally revolutionized the industry. Women got the opportunity to have a beautiful original nail coating with great durability. This gel polish lasts up to 3-4 weeks, but to use it you must follow certain rules and recommendations.
High-quality gel polish after applying each layer requires drying for polymerization. Using a special UV or LED lamp, drying occurs almost instantly. But this acquisition is expensive, and such an opportunity is not always available. In this case, the question arises: what other safe ways are there to dry gel polish at home without a lamp and without loss of quality? Let's consider in detail whether it is possible to dry gel polishes without a lamp, whether they all require mandatory polymerization using a special lamp.
No Light gel
The term “shellac” usually refers to high-quality light-sensitive gel polishes that are polymerized (dried) using a special UV lamp - ultraviolet or LED lamp. You can, of course, dry your nails directly under the sun without a lamp, but this is a rather lengthy process.
But there is a group of gel polishes that do not require a special lamp for polymerization. Manufacturers have produced several types of gel polishes (this includes single-phase 3 in 1 gel polishes) that can dry using other means. When choosing such a varnish, you need to look for the term “No Light gel” (insensitive to light) on the label.
Popular collections of magnetic varnishes
never tires of delighting his fans with original new products. Not only the range of classical, but also magnetic coatings is being replenished. The following series are the most favorite among stylish girls:
- "Gems". It includes the already popular “Cat” and “Tiger’s Eye”, as well as other varnishes that imitate the texture of natural treasures: “Halicarnassus”, “Smoky Rauchtopaz”, “Cobalt Damasket”, etc.
- "Pearl". Unites a collection of jelly coatings with a delicate holographic shine. “Pearl” varnishes are presented in soft natural shades: pink, lilac, nude, chocolate, turquoise, etc.
- "Blooming garden". The line is dedicated to Chinese park art. The composition of bright, rich varnishes includes mica particles, shimmer, and holographic elements.
- "Magnetic Gradient". It consists of unique “star” coatings with a double texture: iridescent metal and glass jelly. Contains sparkling holographic flakes. The colors are predominantly dark, thick: purple, brown, violet, emerald, cobalt, black, graphite.
All means are good
There are several ways to quickly dry gel polish without a lamp, let's look at the main ones in descending order of effectiveness:
- ice water. Drying with plain water is suitable for light-insensitive gel polishes. Place freshly coated hands in very cold water (you can put ice) for 15 minutes, the gel polish will set. You can polymerize the coating by keeping your hands in the freezer for 2-3 minutes;
- cold coating. Keep the gel polish in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes and immediately apply it to your nails; it will dry several times faster;
- the catalyst (usually cyanoacrylate based) can be in the form of an ointment, spray or gel. A couple of minutes after applying the varnish, drop one drop of the substance onto the nail plate and spread over the entire surface. The varnish will dry in 1-3 minutes;
- olive oil. Apply two or three drops to the plate, spread over the entire surface and wait about 5 minutes. Then rinse it off with a stream of cold running water;
- sunlight - dry your fingers directly under the sun's rays, this is a long drying process;
- a blue medical lamp can dry gel polish, but the process is lengthy;
- regular hairdryer. The result will be if it is powerful enough and there is a cold blowing mode. Blow freshly coated fingers with a powerful cold jet for 5 minutes; the gel polish should be a single layer. The method is long and the quality of drying is low.
Manufacturers
Today, many manufacturers of cosmetic products have added gel polish without lamp drying to their line of products.
The companies are different, so the quality and price also differ. Therefore, in order not to buy a bad varnish, it is worth knowing the best brands and their products. The leader among manufacturers of the best gel polishes without drying was Pupa “lasting color gel” . The brand offers a wide range of colors in a beautiful bottle with a brush under the cap.
The coating is shiny and even. A 5 ml bottle can be purchased for around 170 rubles.
Second on the list is gel polish without drying in a lamp from El Corazon . This gel polish from the Activ Bio-gel line contains plant and natural ingredients that nourish the nails and improve their condition. However, the gel also contains formaldehyde, which, unfortunately, cannot be called useful. You can purchase such a product within 180-200 rubles.
We recommend: Shellac and gel polish: what is the difference and the main advantages of shellac
Limoni is one of the best brands among gel polish manufacturers. Many women choose this company and use such gels for a long time. You can buy gel polish without drying in a lamp from Limoni for the price of an ordinary bottle of varnish, but the quality is always at its best. One bottle will last a long time, and a wide palette of colors will satisfy the desires of any girl.
A revolutionary manufacturer from Belarus, Belor design , introducing new ideas into the production of decorative cosmetics, offers a series of gel polishes without drying “podium gel effect”. These are long-lasting products with a gel effect. The most important thing is that this product is made on the basis of natural ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about the condition of your nails.
Brigitte bottier also offers many shades of its gel polishes. The product fits perfectly on the nail thanks to the professional round-shaped brush, creating a glossy surface.
Varnish with a gel effect, unlike gel polish, already contains two components. Varnishes with a gel effect can be called ordinary varnish, which creates the same beautiful surface as a gel, but does not last as long.
Avon presented its own collection of gel polishes with the gel effect Gel Finish Nail Enamel , consisting of 16 rich shades, including classic and trendy tones.
What else?
In branded nail salons, masters use special professional methods and means of drying gel polish without a lamp; they can also be purchased for home use in cosmetic stores and on online shopping sites.
Let's note some of them:
- a special spray - usually a bottle of oily liquid. A fresh manicure must be completely sprayed with this composition and wait 5-10 minutes;
- special oil for drying. Sold in a bottle with a dropper. It is enough to apply a drop of oil to the nail plate, spread it over the entire surface, after 5 minutes the coating will harden;
- fan drying. This is a drying option with a special small fan, inside which fingers with “No Light gel” varnish are placed and air is blown through them;
- drying with clear varnish. Regular varnish is applied two minutes after applying colored gel polish. After 5 minutes the coating will harden; this method increases the durability of the manicure.
What to expect
The advantages of this composition for manicure:
- easy application, just like a regular coating;
- simply removed from the nail plate without using foil or filing;
- characteristic glossy shine and a varied palette of shades.
In order not to disappoint girls who are accustomed to Shellac, it is worth noting that this coating will last an average of a week. Also, some gel polishes, which can be used without a UV lamp, still require the application of a top coat. But nevertheless, they are affordable, dry quickly, and look no worse than regular gel polish on nails, which is why they are popular.
Ways to dry gel polish without a lamp
Method No. 1. Water drying
This method is suitable if shellac is not photosensitive. After applying the composition to the nail plate, immerse your hands in cold, even ice water for 10-20 minutes.
The allotted time is enough for the varnish to finally set. This type of gel coating is considered the safest in its composition.
Method No. 2. Catalyst
For such a coating there are 3 types of catalyst, which are available in the form:
- ointments;
- gel;
- spray.
In order to dry the composition, it is necessary to apply a catalyst. One small drop will be enough. The main thing is that the catalyst is evenly applied to the entire surface of the nail plate, otherwise the varnish will not fix evenly. The catalyst should be applied 1-2 minutes after coating with the gel.
Method number 3. Sun rays
How to dry gel polish with a photosensitive composition? To secure without a lamp, you must keep your hands in direct sunlight. It is necessary that the sun evenly warms the entire nail plate. It will take much longer for the product to dry at home than when exposed to a UV lamp.
Method number 4. Hairdryer
You can dry the gel coating using a regular hair dryer. It must have the following characteristics:
- high power;
- Possibility of drying with cold air.
In this case, the composition should be applied in one thin layer. This method is ineffective and takes a long time.
Method No. 5. Cold gel polish
Before doing your manicure, place the tube of polish in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. After that, immediately start applying it to your nails. Drying time will be reduced significantly.
Method number 6. Ice
This method has something in common with the water method, only to speed up the drying effect, you need to add ice cubes to the water. It will take about 8-10 minutes to fix the coating.
Method No. 7. Manicure fan
Professional devices can be purchased in specialized stores quite inexpensively. The fan has a kind of hole where you need to put your fingers. There is a device for one hand, as well as for two. It can be used to dry non-photosensitive coatings.
Method No. 8. Blue lamp
The medical blue lamp, which is used for warming up, may also be useful for drying the gel. Only this will take much more time than with a professional device.
There are a lot of methods for drying gel polish. You can completely do without a lamp. Get creative at home. Choose the most convenient method for you and get a beautiful manicure!
Thus, when choosing manicure products you need to be careful. You can buy a set for shellac, but you won’t be able to cover your nails with it without a lamp. You need to purchase products that can be dried without exposure to ultraviolet rays. Fortunately, the choice of such gels is quite large. A variety of colors and effects, even such as cat's eye, allow you to create a beautiful and unusual manicure at home without additional equipment. And it will last as long as acrylic.
Pros and cons of gel polish without drying in a lamp
Gel coatings that do not require drying in a UV lamp have their own distinctive features.
They combine high durability and richness of gel shades, but at the same time are easy to use, like regular varnishes.
This manicure will not take much time and will not require constant updating.
Advantages
- high durability;
- no need to file off the shiny top layer of the nail;
- Two layers are enough to get a uniform coating;
- beautiful gloss;
- rich shades;
- dries no longer than regular varnish;
- can be washed off with regular nail polish remover in a few minutes;
- no lamp required;
- affordable price;
- ideal for home use.
Flaws
- if you do not use a base, the colored coating may stain the nail plate;
- may take a long time to dry if applied in a thick layer;
- It happens that the glossy coating quickly fades;
- does not always withstand cleaning and water testing;
- some contain harmful and dangerous components;
- it is necessary to take a break for 3-5 weeks after every 4-5 weeks of continuous use.
Brigitte Bottier
The main advantage of Brigitte Bottier polish is its gel formula - it creates an incredible water-based gloss on the nails, ideal coverage. Does not require drying under a UV lamp or special remover.
In addition: - a comfortable flat and wide round-shaped brush (professional), allows you to apply varnish faster and easier, in one or two movements; - after lightly applying Brigitte Bottier varnish, the surface of the nails looks smooth, even, without defects, cracks or scratches; - bright rich tones of varnishes, only the most fashionable shades with which you “will not get lost.”
Reviews from forums about Brigitte Bottier nail polish:
Nina, review
“This is my first Briggite Bottier gel polish. I chose shade No. 27 - light lilac, I will definitely try other colors, as I liked it. Lays down great, durability is super!”
Valentina, review
“I bought a BB with a gel formula in aqua blue. It is applied smoothly to the nails and does not streak. For removal it is better to use liquid with acetone. The pedicure lasted in almost perfect condition for 3 weeks (there was a small chip in one place, I carefully repainted it))). In the fourth week I erased it because my nails began to grow unsightly.
I painted my hands with a different color (cherry). It didn’t last that long ((the first chip happened after 3 days.”
Diana, review
“Brigitte polish is worth the money and I will recommend it! Yes, it doesn’t last as long as shellac, and chips do happen, but the coating is incredibly beautiful!!”
Pupa "Lasting Color Gel"
Nail gel polish with glass effect.
What the manufacturer promises: a range of exclusive extra-shiny shades with a “glossy” effect for a bright and long-lasting result.
Reviews from forums about Pupa nail polish “Lasting Color Gel”:
Irina, review:
“The polish has a gel texture, is easy and quick to apply, does not require any additional bells and whistles, looks impressive, and shines like an expensive manicure. This is one of the positive aspects. On the negative side: it fades very quickly, even if you wash dishes with gloves; after a couple or three days there will be no trace left of the “glass effect.”
Victoria, review:
“The Lasting Color Gel polish is easy to apply, long-lasting, lasted 4 days at sea in perfect condition and only then began to chip off at the tips of the nails. The varnish dries very quickly. I liked that the color on the nails turned out bright and saturated, even in one layer! After a manicure, nails shine, the varnish gives a fashionable glossy finish, and in some way actually resembles glass.”
How the varnish works
We all know from physics lessons that iron is attracted to a magnet. Scientists took advantage of this principle and introduced microscopic metal particles into the usual varnish composition. This is all the magic: a magnet of a certain shape, which is brought to a nail painted with a special varnish, deforms the iron particles into a certain pattern. Magnets can be found with a variety of designs: stars, stripes, waves, longitudinal lines. This is a good alternative to liquid stones, beads and other decorations that can fall off due to poor-quality manicure.
Magnetic varnish
This is not a harmful varnish, it does not contain lead or any scary chemicals, everything is based on physics. Taking care of your nails this way is not at all dangerous.
But you need to know how to use it . So, we clean the nail: remove the remaining varnish, possibly seal the plate, and apply a thin layer of base coat. After that, we simply paint it with varnish (instructions are included).
Before applying magnetic colored varnish, make sure that all the necessary tools are at hand, because you need to act quickly. And now, while the nail polish is liquid, we bring the magnet to it, the distance should be as close as possible, but we do not touch the plate. We hold it until the intended pattern is obtained, then wait for it to dry. Applying this varnish is very similar to a simple manicure with varnish.
Photo training on applying magnetic varnish
If the theory is not entirely clear, we recommend watching a video on how to apply magnetic polish with a specific nail design. There are different patterns, and if you bought a magnet with stripes, you can experiment with it in order to obtain a new image. 3D varnishes look very nice. Often the instructions also come with pictures that show variant patterns with a specific magnet. Video: Method of applying magnetic varnish
