What you need for gel polish: starter kit, tools and materials. Gel polish lamp

Gel polish came into fashion several years ago, displacing the previously popular extensions. Fashionistas liked the coating, but not everyone is ready to visit the salon for various reasons. Fortunately, today there are enough free master classes online that teach you how to do nail art yourself. Applying gel polish is somewhat more difficult than painting nails with regular polish. If you decide to learn how to paint your nails with gel polish yourself, you need to take care of purchasing a starter manicure kit.

Traditional winter pattern - snowflakes

Beginner's starter kit

Beginners should not rush to buy everything at once. This is especially true for those girls who want to cover their nails only for themselves and their friends. To carry out the first procedures, only the most necessary materials and tools will be enough. Gradually, you will be able to purchase other little things that will make the process easier.

You may be interested in:Orange manicure: nail designs and a little about caring for them

You can find ready-made gel polish kits on sale. What does it include? This is usually the minimum list of materials needed to get started.

• Lamp (UV or LED).
• Degreaser and disinfectant (2 in 1).
• Base coat (base).
• One or two colored gel polishes.
• Finish coating (top).
• Sticky layer remover.

You might be interested in: How to do a moon manicure with gel polish? Design ideas and execution techniques

When purchasing, you should pay attention that there are gel polish kits for covering nails with and without a lamp. But this is not the entire list of what may be useful. To perform a manicure you will need good scissors or tweezers, a pusher or orange sticks, files of different hardness, and cuticle oil. Lint-free wipes, buff and primer will also help you perform the procedure efficiently. It is better to purchase all kinds of decor (rhinestones, stickers, foil, ribbons, glitter, powder, rubbing) as needed.

Complete list of materials for gel polish

• Lamp.
• Files.
• Buffs.
• Manicure scissors (nippers).
• Pusher (orange stick).
• Brushes.
• Degreaser, dehydrator, disinfectant.
• Primer.
• Lint-free wipes.
• Cotton pads.
• Base.
• Gel polish.
• Top.
• Paints and pastes for painting.
• Liquid for removing the sticky layer.
• Decor (depending on requests).
• Cuticle oil.
• Coating remover.
• Foil (or special clips).
• Sterilizer for processing instruments.

You might be interested in: Manicure with pink and black polish: step-by-step instructions, using a template, drawing technique, shades of pink and black, ideas and examples of fashionable nail designs

Perhaps the most diverse on the list is the decor. It can be done using a variety of materials. Therefore, some craftsmen constantly replenish their collection of decorative elements. And the most expensive tool, of course, is the lamp. Next, we will consider in more detail what is needed to cover nails with gel polish.

Accessories

The manicure set includes the following accessories:

• case with fixation of tools;
• Charger;
• instructions for use of the device;
• disks with drawings;
• set for nail extension;
• manicure bath;
• armrest for manicure;
• brushes for nail design;
• palette for mixing gels;
• corrector for manicure.

Files and buffs

There is no such thing as too many abrasive tools - this is what a good master believes. For a beginner, you can stick to the usual types of files. They must be clearly differentiated according to their functional significance.

To correct the shape of the nail, you can use files No. 60-80. To file off gel polish, you will need a rougher surface with an abrasiveness of No. 100.

The procedure requires the use of a buff. It removes the keratin layer and makes the nail matte. This tool has a very soft and fine abrasive. As a rule, it has the shape of a volumetric rectangle. There is an abrasive on each long side. The buff should only polish the nail and not file it. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the rigidity of the material. For brittle and thin nails, a buff with a coating of 500 grit or more is ideal. For thick and hard plates, a tool with an abrasiveness of 300-400 grit is suitable.

Problems

Problems of mechanical manicure set:

• the manicure procedure can be painful;
• the inner layer of the nails will not be processed;
• It takes a lot of time to process nails;
• difficulty polishing and cutting heavy, thick, artificial nails;
• Difficulties arise in removing corns and calluses.

Disadvantages of electrical devices:

• nozzles require constant sharpening, so their service life is lower than that of mechanical devices;
• inconvenient to transport, take up a lot of space;
• operate on recharge, so they are most often used stationary;
• high price.

Nail clippers and scissors

Any coating of nails with varnish requires a preliminary manicure. Without it, your fingers will look sloppy and unkempt. What do you need for a gel polish manicure? Scissors or tweezers for trimming cuticles. They should fit comfortably in the hand, be of high quality and well sharpened. This will minimize the risk of skin trauma. The tip of the blade should be slightly bent. This will help guide the tool along the cuticle and trim it without interrupting the process.

You may be interested in: Mehendi on nails: pattern, color and technique

If a manicure is done not only for yourself, then it is important to sterilize the instruments in a special device.

Functions

Functions of manicure devices:

• exfoliation and removal of rough skin, calluses;
• painless and quick cuticle removal;
• trimming and giving nails the desired shape and length;
• grinding and polishing of nail plates;
• cleaning nails, giving them shine.

Electrical appliance capabilities:

• Smooth speed adjustment allows you to quickly select the desired mode for performing the operation, but if you accidentally press the toggle switch, you can damage the skin near the nail.
• Nail dryer is a cosmetic product that is used to make nail polish more stable. The varnish fixer forms a thick film that withstands environmental influences.
• Hand baths are beneficial for cuticles and nail plates. Moisturizing, paraffin, softening and nourishing hand baths are popular. They can be used in beauty salons and at home.

Pushers

This is a tool that looks like a small flat spatula. It is necessary to push back the cuticle, which will prepare it for circumcision. Metal pushers have been popular for a very long time. But today they are already being replaced by orange sticks. They do their job well and have a number of advantages. The sticks do not rust, do not need sharpening or sterilization - they can be thrown away after use. Orange pushers contain essential oils that have antiseptic properties. The tips are thinner, which greatly simplifies the work and makes it less painful and traumatic. In addition, the sticks are inexpensive.

Exploitation

Recommendations for caring for your manicure set:

• Once a year, lubricate tools with a mechanism (nippers, clippers, scissors), this will ensure the harmonious and smooth operation of manicure accessories.

Distribute the oil evenly over the entire internal surface of the devices, carefully remove any remaining residue with a napkin.

• Use tools only for their intended purpose. Do not use cuticle nippers to trim nails.
• After use, immediately place all manicure accessories in a case or case, be sure to cover them with protective caps.
• If there are wounds on the skin, do not use power tools until they have healed. This causes skin irritation.
• When testing the use of an electrical device, you should be extremely careful. Use soft discs and attachments with minimal grain size, and perform the manicure procedure at low speed.
• Before you try a manicure set, watch several master classes, read articles, visit a salon to see how to correctly carry out the procedure.

• Do not wash instruments with water, as this will lead to corrosion. If you accidentally get your manicure accessories wet, dry them immediately with a hairdryer.
• The tools should be placed on the table so that their cutting edges are directed upward. It is advisable that manicure accessories be placed on a dry cloth napkin or paper towel.
• After using tools, clean scissors, cuticle and nail cutters, abrasive files, buffs, and remove visible dirt.

If you use a special brush for cleaning, make sure that it does not touch the cutting edge; incorrect movement can lead to damage to the mechanisms.

• After use, disinfect instruments with alcohol or special compounds. Disinfect the attachments of an electrical device after each use, this will protect your hands from infection.

If necessary, instruments are sterilized.

Brushes

What do you need for gel polish? For beginners, these tools will be useful if you want to paint your nails. They will also be useful if the jar of gel polish does not come with a brush. Usually it is not in large bottles, in containers with paint and paste.

When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the material of the pile. Usually, the finest acrylic or nylon bristles are used for artificial brushes. They are soft and easy to use. These brushes are inexpensive and last almost indefinitely with normal care. Natural hair is usually made from squirrel or sable wool. This brush is very pleasant to work with. But it is expensive, has a shorter service life and requires careful maintenance.

Peculiarities

Features of mechanical devices:

• work without recharging;
• consist of a set of tools for removing calluses, grinding and polishing nails;
• suitable for stationary use, easy to transport;
• equipped with a case for storing tools;
• require softening of the nail plates before work;
• Suitable for beginners.

Features of electrical devices:

• work from recharging;
• the quality of work depends on the power of the device;
• have different attachments for thoroughly polishing the surface of the nail plates;
• work with nails of different lengths and thicknesses;
• used for manicure and pedicure;
• allow you to work with artificial nails;
• softening of the nails before starting work is not required;
• with the help of devices a nail design can be quickly created;
• convenient and easy to use;
• The manicure procedure does not take much time.

Nail treatment products

Beginners are often lost when they come to the store, because they do not yet know what is needed to cover their nails with gel polish. All kinds of liquids are of great importance.

A degreaser, as the name implies, is necessary to remove the greasy layer and all kinds of contaminants from the surface of the plate. This step should not be skipped, as it improves the adhesion of the gel to the nail. Typically, the degreaser is made from alcohol, which is an excellent antiseptic. Therefore, you don’t have to purchase a disinfectant in a separate bottle.

A dehydrator serves a different function. It is necessary for faster evaporation of the degreaser and removal of excess moisture, which can cause the varnish to peel off.

There is also a primer. It significantly improves the adhesion of the artificial material to the nail. As a result, the duration of manicure wear increases.

Application

Mechanical manicure accessories are used according to the following principle:

• First, the nails are given the required length, the base for the future shape is made with tweezers, then the nail plate is filed with a file, and hangnails are removed using cosmetic scissors.
• The edge of the nail is polished, the cuticle is peeled off and removed with a trimmer, after which the entire surface of the plate is polished. Next is applying varnish.

An electrical device is powered by a network, battery or battery, which powers the mechanism. The operating principle is as follows:

• The nail plate and cuticle are alternately treated with different attachments. The first procedure is recommended to be carried out at low speed.
• The nail sanding and polishing attachment is then used, and the cuticle attachment is used to remove rough skin and calluses.
• After cleaning your nails with a brush, you can paint them with varnish.

Base coat

Most modern gel polishes are three-phase. But you can find two-phase and single-phase ones. In the first case, you will need a base, colored varnish and top coat. The second contains a pigmented base and fixer. You cannot exclude anything from this list, otherwise you will end up with a poor-quality manicure. If the varnish is single-phase, then the base and top are not required.

The most important component in the process of creating a gel polish coating is the base. It must be of high quality, so you cannot skimp on it. There are several types of base. The liquid is easily distributed in a thin layer. A thicker base allows you to hide defects and level the plate. Rubber has increased elasticity. Therefore, it prevents the varnish from peeling and cracking.

Color gel

What do you need for a gel polish manicure? Of course, the color coating itself. When choosing it, you need to pay attention to several parameters.

The method of application is of the greatest importance. Three-phase varnishes last the longest. Single-phase ones cannot provide long-term wear of the coating. But they are suitable for beginners as training material.

Consistency matters too. A high-quality gel should be thick, but not too viscous. When applying it, no lumps, stripes or unevenness in color should form. Also, the bristles should not come out of the brush.

Some masters believe that you can save money on colored gel by purchasing a product from a no-name brand. The main thing is that the base and top are of high quality.

Top

If the manicure is performed using a three- or two-phase system, then the top coat is needed for gel polish. What is it? It is a clear gel that gives a durable coating when cured. The top has several functions. This is a fixation of the color layer, prolongation of the manicure wear period and a decorative effect.

Finishes come with or without a sticky layer. The first type needs to be treated with a special agent. When using the second one, this need disappears. A top without a sticky layer can be used if, for example, you need to apply a design on top.

If you need to further strengthen the nail and protect the manicure from mechanical damage, then you should give preference to a rubber topcoat.

Some finishing coatings have decorative properties. Finishes with matte, velvety and wet (super-glossy effect) are very popular. There are tops with glitter and shimmer. Also in demand are “Cat’s Eye” finishes, which locally produce an exquisite shimmer under the influence of a magnet.

Decor

For a beginner, you can buy one element for the first procedure. The main thing is not to get confused in all the variety of decor presented. These are rhinestones, stones, bouillons, sequins, ribbons, foil, film, stamping, glitter, sand, kamifubuki and much more. With all this you can create a unique manicure that looks like a work of art. To start, you can try working with rhinestones, glitter or water-based stickers. They are very easy to work with, but the effect they give is amazing.

Malfunctions

The most common manicure equipment repair services:

• sharpening nail clippers;
• sharpening nail clippers;
• sharpening the pusher (scraper);
• sharpening nail scissors;
• correction of the shape of the cutting blades;
• replacing the spring of the pliers;
• repair of nail clippers;
• polishing manicure tools;
• repair of a manicure vacuum cleaner;

Tool sharpening:

• Darkening of the blade of the scissors indicates that the scissors need to be sharpened. The procedure for diamond sharpening occurs in this way: the backlash is removed, the edges of the cutting blade are bent inward, and the tips of the scissors are sharpened.
• Sharpening nail clippers involves adjusting the springs and removing rust, lubricating the joints of the handles, after which the inside of the tool is sharpened. For wire cutters to work well, their nose must be sharp.

The main problems that arise during the operation of manicure tools:

• Incorrect operation of tweezers, as a result of which they tear the skin. This problem occurs due to improper use or storage of the tool. In this case, it may be necessary to reduce the cutting edge of the nail clippers.
• Breakage of the mechanism spring occurs due to frequent bending and straightening of the tool. In this case, the part will need to be replaced. If the spring is attached to a handle with a screw connection, remove the screw.

If the mechanism is attached with a rivet, you will have to knock it out or drill it out.

• Tight movement of nail clippers after sharpening. This problem arises due to the abrasion of the rod connecting the components of the tweezers. If you notice tightness when closing the sharpening points, contact your specialist with a request to develop the mechanism until it moves easily.
• The formation of rust on tools is the result of improper use of disinfectants: a rusty coating forms in hard-to-reach places, pitting corrosion occurs on the blades of pliers and scissors.

If rust has formed on the surfaces, the instrument must be returned for repair; the use of faulty accessories is strictly prohibited.

Tools and remover

For beginners, it is better not to file off the gel polish, but to soak it. Liquids containing acetone are suitable for this. Thanks to it, the artificial material peels off from the nail and is easily removed with an orange stick. You will also need cotton pads. They are moistened in a special liquid and applied to the nails. After this, you need to wrap them in foil or put special clips on your fingers.

Lamps for gel polish

There are several types of curing lamps. These are ultraviolet, gas-light and cold cathode. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

• UV lamp (ultraviolet). This is the very first variety that appeared on the nail service market. Today there are a variety of models: both cheap and expensive. They differ in design, functionality and power. Particular attention must be paid to the last criterion. There are lamps of 9, 18, 36 and 54 watts. The higher the power, the faster the varnish polymerizes. For home use, 36 watts will be enough. In such a lamp, the layer dries in about 2 minutes. Among the disadvantages, we can note the negative effect of UV radiation on the visual organs. It also dries out your nails and skin a little. In addition, with frequent use, the light bulbs quickly burn out.
• LED lamps. Their main advantage is the quick drying of the gel. They usually cure it in 30 seconds. Unlike UV lamps, they are somewhat more expensive, but the diodes last longer. For home use, you can purchase a compact model with a power of 6 watts. This will be enough for high-quality drying. Such lamps have a significant drawback - they do not polymerize all gel polishes.

• CCFL lamps. These are combined models that dry absolutely all gels. For this, 1 minute of exposure is usually enough. Unlike UV lamps for gel polish, these do not dry out the skin. In addition, they are durable and have low power consumption.

The best lamp manufacturers

Experts note that the best lamps for gel polish are mainly produced by American companies. These are CND, OPI, Gelish and Harmony. Their models are prestigious, high quality, modern, beautiful and durable. For these qualities you will have to pay a considerable amount.

More budget models can be purchased for both home and salon use. They are produced by Russian-Chinese brands. These are RuNail, JessNail, Polaris and Planet Nails. They do not have a big name, but they are also of high quality.

So, in this publication we told you what you need for gel polish. For the first time, it is enough to purchase only the essentials. Everything else can be purchased as needed. In order not to be disappointed in the procedure, it is better to give preference only to high-quality tools and materials. Over time, it will become clear what you can save on and what you can’t.

Characteristics

Characteristics of mechanical sets:

• number of tools and equipment;
• tool materials (steel, glass, plastic, metal);
• device size;
• color of instruments;
• accessories (case, nail tray, instructions for use).

Characteristics of electric manicure sets:

• number of nozzles (from 2 to 10);
• material (silicone, diamond coating);
• power (1500-5000 rpm);
• size of devices;
• color of instruments;
• power supply method (battery, accumulator, network);
• accessories (case, charger).