Gel polish set for beginners: what should it include, how to choose the right one, tips and recommendations from experts

• July 18, 2018
• Nail care
• Marina Zhukova

Covering your nails with regular polish is becoming less and less popular. It is being replaced by gel polish. This procedure can be carried out both in the salon and at home. Those who want to do a gel manicure on their own need to purchase a list of necessary products. This article presents a starter kit for applying gel polish to your nails.

Main components of the set

Many manicurists often argue about what should be included in a gel polish starter kit for beginners. The list is constantly updated with new tools, but the following list always remains unchanged:

1. Lamp. There are ultraviolet (UV) and light-emitting diode (LED). Mixed type lamps are also very popular now.
2. The degreaser can be used to disinfect and remove the sticky layer from the nail plate.
3. Base is a coating necessary for better adhesion of colored varnish to the nail.
4. Top is a coating that promotes better fixation of colored varnish and its long-term wear.
5. Gel polish remover is a product with a high acetone content.
6. Colored gel polishes. There are a wide variety of brands, colors and consistencies. To create a gel polish manicure set for beginners, just a few basic colors are enough.
7. Orange sticks are necessary for removing polish that has flowed onto the side rollers or cuticles.
8. Lint-free wipes are a very important part of every gel polish kit for beginners. Using tampons with lint, you can ruin the coating at the root.
9. Cuticle oil helps save cuticles from drying out.
10. The buff is used to file down the smooth layer of the nail.

In addition to the ten products included in the gel polish kit for beginners, manicurists use several more products. Beginners, as a rule, neglect them, but experienced specialists cannot afford to miss their use in their work.

The most popular brands of gel polishes

When choosing gel polish, experienced and novice artists rely on the following criteria:

• Optimal combination of price and quality;
• Correct consistency;
• Pigmentation – the higher the better;
• The shape and length of the brush, its quality - 50% of how the varnish lies on the nail depends on the brush;
• Availability of positive reviews about the product;
• Wide palette.

Based on these points, the most popular brands today are:

Tartiso

Medium consistency, comfortable brush, easy application. The varnish is highly pigmented, so it is quite economical to use. Suitable for both salon and home use.

Bliss

Budget category of gel polishes, characterized by high quality coating. A wide palette and high pigmentation allow this brand to compete equally with more expensive companies.

TNL

Medium price varnish. The texture is liquid, the pigmentation is medium. To obtain a rich shade, you need to apply 2-3 layers. The brush is comfortable, but short.

Nail Best

Highly pigmented varnishes. Can be applied in one layer. The texture is medium, homogeneous, fits well on the nail.

Naomi

Average price category. Dense, uniform texture, non-streaking, easy to apply. The shades are bright - two layers of application are enough. Thanks to the rich palette, you can choose unusual options and add them to your assortment to the delight of your customers.

Bluesky

Reasonable combination of price and quality. Varnishes in the mid-price category have medium density, are uniform, and do not leave streaks. The brand's wide palette includes more than 500 shades and is widely used by craftsmen around the world.

Atica

A quality product at an affordable price. The high pigmentation of the gel allows it to be applied in one layer. It doesn't smudge and is easy to apply. Ideal for beginner manicurists.

Kodi

A popular brand that is successfully used by both beginners and professionals. Dense texture, high pigmentation. Combine well with topcoats and topcoats from other manufacturers.

Additional funds

As a rule, these products are used by professionals working in salons:

1. Dehydrator. Allows the nail plate to dry faster and more thoroughly. Apply it after the degreaser. It is worth noting that this tool only saves time, so it is not included in the beginner’s kit. Gel polish will stick anyway.
2. The primer helps the polish adhere perfectly to the nail. It also has cleaning and degreasing properties. It can be acidic or non-acidic. Beginners should choose the second option when using it, since the other can cause a burn upon contact with the skin.
3. Gel polish remover clips. They can be plastic and silicone. They cost about a hundred rubles and are reusable.

Additional materials

• Dehydrator - works on the same principle as a degreaser, only it costs more. Recommended for women with oily skin and prone to excessive sweating. It is used mainly in salons; a degreaser is suitable for home use.
• Primer - works on the principle of double-sided tape, providing good adhesion between the nail and the base. The cost varies from 200 rubles.
• The acid-free primer acts as both a degreaser and a base coat. In addition, it protects nails from fungal infections. Recommended for those who have naturally brittle and thin nails.
• The acid primer ensures strong adhesion of the nail to the coating due to methacrylic acid, which softens the nail scales. Frequent use can lead to damage to the nail plate. This product should not be used on weakened nails.

Filing nails

Which lamp to choose?

There are three types of lamps for gel polish:

1. Ultraviolet. They polymerize varnishes of all types. Even if the product has o, it will still dry successfully in a UV lamp. This option is most often included in a beginner’s kit for covering nails with gel polish. Another advantage of this type is the low cost of replacement. As a rule, they have to be changed once every six months, but this is subject to active use. Thus, the advantages of UV lamps include their versatility and accessibility. As for the shortcomings, there are several of them. These include the long process of polymerization of varnishes, overheating of the device, release of harmful elements and negative effects on the eyes.
2. LED lamps. Unlike ultraviolet, they dry the coating many times faster and last much longer. They are also highly environmentally friendly, as they can be completely recycled. They are not capable of overheating. At the same time, their cost is quite high. And if the lamps malfunction, you have to throw away the device and buy a new one. Only special varnishes are suitable for this type. For those who do not care about the cost of the lamp, but the polymerization time is important, you should consider this device for working with gel polishes.
3. Hybrid - lamps of mixed type. They quickly polish gel polish and last a long time. They are also small in size and do not overheat much. Today they are the most versatile. And they are the ones most often included in a gel polish kit for beginners. It is worth noting that at their price they are slightly more expensive than ultraviolet lamps, but several times cheaper than LED lamps.

It is up to the novice master to decide which one to choose. Experienced manicurists believe that the most important thing is not to buy lamps with a power of less than 36 watts.

Common myths about gel polishes: true or not

After wearing gel polish for a long time, your nails become brittle

This statement is a myth. In fact, gel polish does not affect the nail plate in any way; on the contrary, it helps to grow long, beautiful nails. They can become brittle due to a lack of vitamins and microelements in the body, or when the master does not have sufficient experience and knowledge.

Gel polish is harmful to health

Many women are afraid to use the composition due to its frightening composition. Yes, varnishes are not made from natural components of plant origin, but this does not mean that something terrible will definitely happen after it gets on your nails. Gel polish, of course, if it is of high quality and is not a fake, will not cause any harm to health.

Gel polish should not be used by pregnant and lactating women

There are always a lot of “don’ts” hovering around a pregnant woman. You cannot dye your hair, you cannot cut your hair, you cannot play sports, you cannot cover your nails with gel polish, etc. But we hasten to please you. You can paint your nails. The varnish does not have any negative effect on the fetus, milk or the general well-being of the woman. Nails are dead tissue, and besides, the body’s protective barrier (immunity) always guards our health. The components of the gel cannot penetrate the skin, blood, or dissolve in the body after its application.

You should not do a gel polish manicure too often. You need to give your nails a rest

Believe me, your nails are not tired of painting them. They just don't know how to do it. It is important to understand that nails cannot “breathe,” as many people like to say, and they do not need rest. If you perform a manicure correctly and use high-quality materials, you do not risk being left without nails or spoiling their quality, even with constant coloring.

However, if your technician sees undesirable changes in the nail plate after removing the coating, he may recommend that you take a break. Practicing nail industry experts recommend in such cases to refrain from coloring for up to 105 days. During this period, your nails will be completely renewed.

You can share or save for yourself:

There are no comments yet, but you can write your opinion or ask a question.

Degreaser overview

The very first stage of applying the coating is degreasing the nail plate. The purpose of this action is to remove all possible excess remaining on the nail. The basis of this type of product is alcohol. It is this that promotes the most precise cleansing of the nail. More expensive degreasers, as a rule, also contain vitamins and oils that help maintain the high quality of the natural nail. Another advantage of this product is the ability to disinfect wounds caused by hand treatment. When creating a basic set for gel manicure, you should pay attention to degreasers from brands such as CND and DOMIX.

Palette for beginners

The gel polish palette for beginners must necessarily consist of basic shades - black, white, red. It is also necessary to have several subtle tones, such as dusty pink or sky blue. At the initial stage of work, it is not worth purchasing many colors, ranging from bright and flashy to unusual and rare. Once you start practicing your skills, you yourself will understand which shades you need to purchase, based on the wishes of your clients. Try to update your assortment every month.

A novice master should have in his arsenal:

This small set is enough for the first steps. Later, you can understand exactly what your job requires by assessing the individual wishes of your clients.

Base Coat Options

The most common coating option is the three-phase system. The first phase is to apply the base coat. It is simply prohibited to exclude this item, since without it the coverage will not last even a day. But the goal is long-term wearing. For a quality manicure, this step cannot be skipped.

It is worth noting that the bases are colorless and colored. Gel polish kits for beginners usually include colorless ones. They are able to level the nail plate well.

The most common product is the Bluesky brand. It is inexpensive and of fairly high quality. But it is not thick enough in comparison with its competitor such as “KODI”. When choosing this coating, even beginners should give preference to rubber products. The basic set for gel polish manicure usually includes products from the Bluesky brand.

Recommendations for selection

When buying a manicure kit, you need to follow certain recommendations and tips. After all, it can be difficult for beginner nail artists to make the right choice.

When purchasing a starter kit, you need to pay special attention to the lamp, since the quality of this device will determine the result of the work done, whether its power is enough to dry all layers of gel polish, as well as other products. There are three options for lamps for drying gel coating

There are three options for lamps for drying gel coating.

1. LED - is characterized by the speed of drying the coating, but does not dry all materials well.
2. UV lamps are characterized by a longer time required to dry the applied layer of gel polish. But they can dry equally well all materials used in the process of creating a manicure.
3. Hybrid – often used in professional beauty salons. Such a device incorporates the positive features of LED and UV lamps. They are rarely found in a basic manicure set. If a hybrid lamp is nevertheless included in the basic package, then such a set will cost much more than a similar option, but with a simpler model of a lamp for drying nails.

When choosing a set for creating a manicure, be sure to pay attention to the fact that it includes a base, top and a preparation for erasing the sticky layer, since these are fundamental elements. If one of the components is missing, you will not be able to create a successful manicure.

For beginner nail artists, it is recommended to purchase a base and top coat from the same manufacturer. This will ensure excellent adhesion to the nail plate and minimize the risk that some components will not be able to interact with each other, and their rejection will be observed. Of course, many manufacturers produce products that can be combined with other brands, but at first it’s better not to take risks.

Because the condition of your nails when you remove the gel coating will depend on this cosmetic product.

Despite the fact that the primer is not always included in the basic kits, make sure to purchase it if, of course, you want the created manicure to last as long as possible and not “tear off” ahead of time.

When purchasing gel polish directly, pay attention to its consistency; it should not be very thick, but this product should not spread over the surface of the nail plate. The brush should be comfortable

Make sure that its shape does not resemble an oval, but is slightly cut off at the bottom. The optimal volume of one bottle of gel polish is 7.3 milliliters. This amount will last you a long time.

Many nail artists prefer to purchase a nail milling machine instead of a conventional file, since this device significantly speeds up the process of removing the decorative coating from the nail plate.

Top coating and its types

This coating is the third phase in gel manicure. Top-end gel polish occupies the most important place in a beginner's kit. It not only fixes the colored fabric, but also helps to extend the period of wearing the coating. There are also tops that have an important decorative function.

In a large-scale sense, this coating is divided into two types. The first are gel polishes with a sticky layer, the second are without a sticky layer. Functionally, they do not have significant differences. The only thing that distinguishes them is that after polymerization of the top with a sticky layer, it must be treated with a special product. If this is not done, the owner of these nails will have the feeling that they were covered with tape, which was then torn off.

As for the topcoat without a sticky layer, it does not require any additional processing. This coating is also good for creating nail designs. Experienced experts advise buying a rubber-based top. It is available from such popular and affordable brands as Bluesky and KODI.

As for decorative tops, they are, of course, not required in a beginner's kit. This type of gel polish is usually used by experienced professionals. These finishing products can give your nails a matte or cat-eye look. They can also add shine.

Set of shellac varnishes

A shellac polish set that lacks a lamp and other necessary items is harder to find. More often they come in basic or professional configurations. In the first case it is 1-5 colors, in the second it is 5-10 shades plus other compositions needed for manicure.

BlueSky only has a set of 5 flower beds designed for making patterns.

Shellac polish set from BlueSky

It includes white, black, pink, gold and silver shades. There are sets for French makeup, which include 2 shades of shellac, a base and a top.

Inexpensive Chinese manufacturers offer larger sets of polymerizing varnishes, for example:

• HNM NAIL GEL POLISH – 4 flower beds, top and base coats;
• BUKAKI ZHG88 – 3 shades of varnish, glitter product, black gel paint, base and top;
• FAIRYGLO FG-7ML-S-ANY3 FG-7ML-BT – 3 colors of varnish, base, top, manicure accessories.

HNM NAIL GEL POLISH

Usually the volume of bubbles is 7 ml, which is very beneficial for beginners. But if you want variety, you should buy varnishes separately. Otherwise, with flower bed kits, you purchase items that you may already have at home.

Removing gel polish: means and steps

A properly applied coating allows you to walk around with well-groomed and beautiful nails from fourteen days to a month. Even if the gel still holds well, it still needs to be removed after a month of wear. Firstly, the overgrown part of the nail does not look aesthetically pleasing enough. And secondly, it’s time for the nails to breathe a little, because under the gel the air does not penetrate to the nail plate.

To remove the coating, you need five main elements: gel polish remover, cotton pads, foil, buff, orange sticks.

In order to speed up the removal process, you first need to buff off the top coat. After this, place a piece of cotton pad soaked in the product on each nail. Then wrap all your fingers with pieces of foil. In salons at this stage, as a rule, they use special clamps. But judging by the reviews of experienced craftsmen, the varnish comes off most quickly under foil. You need to sit in this state for ten to fifteen minutes. After time has passed, the foil or caps should be removed. The coating should crack a little, or maybe even come off the nail. Remaining varnish should be removed very carefully with an orange stick. But even after working with a stick, pieces of the base may remain on the nail. It can be removed using a buff - they need to be filed down. When choosing a gel polish remover, beginners should pay attention to products from brands such as Severina and Antishellac.

Gel polishes. Which ones should you choose for your palette?

Of course, your initial palette cannot do without classic shades: black, white, red. You also need to pay attention to both delicate shades and more juicy, bright ones. You need to review your assortment every month, keep track of current new products, and regularly replenish your stock with them.

You can choose a high-quality coating from this list:

• Brands that have proven themselves well: Gelish Harmony, In'Garden Color Couture, IBD Just Gel Axxium from OPI, Kodi.

Colored coatings

Color is where girls can go wild. For a beginner's set, gel polishes need to be chosen wisely. Here it is important to understand for what purpose the girl decides to engage in this activity. If for yourself, then just buy a few colors you like. If this is the start of a new business, then you should purchase several standard colors: black, white, pink and burgundy. Having this arsenal (albeit small), you can effectively work as a manicurist.

An important point in choosing color coatings is their manufacturer. Of course, not all beginners are ready to shell out more than five hundred rubles for one tube of varnish. Therefore, it is worth considering high-quality and affordable products:

1. KODI. The cost of one bottle is from three hundred rubles. Tubes come in different sizes. The smallest is seven milliliters, the medium is ten and the largest is thirty. A novice master can buy the smallest tubes for testing. This varnish does not cause allergies, has a thick consistency and lasts a long time on the nails.
2. Bluesky costs around two hundred rubles. The varnish holds up well, its palette completely copies the colors of expensive CND gel polish. They are quite difficult to remove, and there are cases when the varnish causes allergies.

These are the brands that are most suitable for creating a set of gel polishes for beginners. They will not dry without a lamp - this is very important to remember.

What does a manicurist need to apply gel polish?

If all your girlfriends are delighted with your nails, asking for a manicure with gel polish, and your soul is asking to go into business, you should think about additional investments.

Even if a friend needs a gel polish coating, you need to take care of further sterilization of the instruments; you can read about this in detail in our article (safe manicure: sterilization of manicure instruments).

You will also need disposable materials or a personal set for each client: files of different grits, brushes, wire cutters, pushers.

To this set we will add a manicure table or another convenient for you and the client, a client chair, a table lamp for better visibility when working, a disinfectant for the client’s hands, and disposable gloves.

The list of materials a nail artist needs can be expanded for a long time, but everything comes with growing professionalism and mastering the profession. Some tools and materials may be needed after the first courses, others you will simply want to have in your personal collection.

Nail design

Once your fingers are decorated with a classic finish, you can think about their design. You can decorate your nails in several ways:

1. Painting with a brush. Beginners who decide to try to paint a monogram on a surface should give preference to brushes with long bristles. Another important point in this method is the use of the most dense varnishes. Inexpensive and fairly thick gel polishes are representatives of the IRISK brand.
2. Sliders. This method of decorating a coating is quite simple. Simply cut the slider to the shape of your nail, hold it for a minute on a wet cotton pad, detach the top thin layer from the thick paper layer and apply it to the nail. At this stage, there are several features of laying sliders. If the artist uses varnish with a sticky layer, then the slider should be applied directly to it, then covered with a base and dried in a lamp. If the specialist uses a top coat without a sticky layer, you must first coat the nail with a base coat, then apply the slider. After baking in the lamp, the slider is covered with another layer of base. Next comes the top coat, and a picture of any theme is already painted on the nail.
3. Stickers. They are the easiest to apply. It is enough to stick the selected element, cover it with a top coat and dry it.

In addition to these methods, experienced specialists use volumetric elements. These include broths, fimo and 3D stickers.

Tops for the novice master

The final coating is an equally important step. The top must be resistant to damage and must not change color (turn yellow).

Uno, Gel Polish Top Coat – Super Shine is one of the most popular top coats. It has a liquid consistency and excellent gloss after polymerization. Does not have a sticky layer.

Klio Professional, Brilliant UV/LED Top Coat – has a medium consistency and is compatible with any brands of bases and flower beds. It has a self-leveling function and is resistant to chips and scratches. No sticky layer.

Lovely, Top for gel polish with a sticky layer - a top that will maintain its gloss throughout the entire wear of the gel polish. This option is suitable for some types of designs, as it has a dispersion layer. Stickiness can be removed with a degreasing agent.

ruNail, Glossy topcoat for gel polish TopСoat without a sticky layer is a budget option, the price-quality ratio will definitely not disappoint you. It has a good gloss and is not susceptible to chips or scratches.

The choice of bases and topcoats must be approached wisely. Even a novice master should have several options for these coatings in order to make the right choice during a manicure, choose the base and top for the type of nail plate.

Vogue Nails, Matte top coat for gel polish – the top coat, which can be called a design. The velor effect gives the manicure an airy feel. After drying it must be degreased.

Monami, Super Shine top MILKY WAY – Top for gel polish Super shine with sparkles is another top option for design. A slight shimmer will give a festive look to even a single-color coating.

Gel polish palette for a beginner master

In order to please every girl, you need a good and thoughtful set of colored gel polishes. We have created a selection of shades that will make your palette trendy and in demand among clients.

Vogue Nails, Gel Polish – Black Lord No. 102 is one of the main shades that can be used both independently and in designs. It has a thick consistency and covers tightly in 2 layers.

Monami, Gel polish No. 001 – white color is also one of the most important – self-coating, design, French manicure. Shade 001 applies in 1-2 layers without gaps or bald spots.

Monami, Lux Gel Polish No. 004 – creamy shade with microshimmer. Suitable for lovers of light and delicate shades. It has self-leveling properties and is easy to use.

Bloom, Gel Polish – Raffaello – a “delicious” beige color that will be one of the most popular in your palette. Gel polishes from this company have a medium-thick consistency and are very easy to apply.

Gloss, Gel polish No. 114 – optimal beige shade. Moderately dense and easy to apply.

Haruyama, Gel Polish No. 446 – another “delicious” color – dark chocolate. It has a dense consistency and high pigmentation, which can cover up another shade.

Bloom, Gel Polish – Calm – delicate peach shade. Has no glitter or shimmer. Most popular in the warm season.

P NB, Gel polish color No. 005 Tender – beige-pink translucent shade. It is one of the most popular at this time.

Lianail, Gel Polish – Nude Factor ASW-068 No. 18 – nude pink. A universal color for lovers of calm shades, as well as for office workers (dress code).

Klio Professional, Camouflage Base – Tea Rose – a nude camouflage base that will reduce your working time.

Bloom, Gel Polish – Tender Age – soft pink. It has a creamy consistency and is applied in 2 thin layers.

TNL, Gel Polish No. 005 – Hot pink – a shade for the brave. Similar colors are popular in spring and summer.

Tips for extending the wear life of gel polish

Why do girls now prefer gel coating? First of all, this is, of course, the longevity of its service. But there are cases when the aesthetics of the coating loses its beauty after the first week, or even after two days. So, to avoid unpleasant situations, you need to know and use the following life hacks:

1. Gel polish should be applied to medium-length or short nails. On long ones, the gel coating is subject to chips and other impacts much more often.
2. When applying, do not get it on the cuticle. Gel polish dried on it, as a rule, provokes detachments. To prevent the cuticle from being rough, you should regularly moisturize it with a special oil.
3. Nails must be dry before coating.
4. The coating should be protected from serious exposure to water and chemicals.
5. No need to bite your nails.
6. Do not file the free edge. The master, when applying the coating, usually seals it.

By following these simple rules, even a beginner can make a coating with a long service life. It is worth remembering that if the technique for applying gel polish is not followed, even these tips will not save the situation.

Types of gel polish application

Gel polish can be applied in three ways:

• Single-phase system - base, color and top coat are in one bottle (3 in 1). Suitable for home use. This type of application will last no more than 1-2 weeks.
• Two-phase system - color coating and top or base. This type of application is more durable than single-phase.
• Three-phase – base, color coating, top. Each coating is applied in a separate layer, ensuring a longer wearing period of the manicure.

The most popular is the three-phase system. This is exactly what you will be offered in any salon. It is suitable for everyone, unlike single-phase. One or two phases of applying gel polish are not recommended for brittle, brittle nails.