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.
How to paint your nails so that the polish lasts a long time
In addition to the quality of the product itself, durability may also depend on how exactly the varnish was applied to the nails. There are several secrets that you can use to extend the “life” of your manicure for as long as possible:
- Do not neglect applying the base and top clear coat. This not only makes it easier to remove the polish in the future, but also improves the durability of the applied product;
- Before applying the first layer, you need to degrease the surface of the nail. To do this, it will be enough to walk over it with a disc soaked in nail polish remover;
- when preparing the nail plate, it needs to be sanded with a soft file - the coating will lie more evenly on such a surface and will last longer;
- when applying colored varnish in several layers, each of them must be thoroughly and completely dried, this usually requires at least 10 minutes;
- the ideal number of color layers is two, this ensures dense color coverage and does not create a too “vulnerable” manicure;
- you need to apply the composition to the nails in three confident movements: the first is a line in the middle of the plate to the very free edge, the second and third are narrower stripes for painting on the sides;
- It is better to paint your nails after all the housework has already been done, since initial drying requires at least a couple of hours, and 10-12 for complete drying;
- There is one more rule - the stronger the nails themselves, the longer the varnish lasts on them. Therefore, experts recommend resorting to various measures to comprehensively improve the condition and strengthen the nail plate;
- when applying varnish, you should not allow it to come into contact with the cuticle skin - after drying, the paint in this place will begin to rise, which will lead to the rapid formation of chips;
- If you want to quickly dry the applied coating, you should not use hot air; a cold environment, for example, air from a fan or ice water, into which you need to briefly dip your fingers, would be ideal to speed up the process.
By following the recommendations listed, you can achieve maximum durability of the coating on your nails, even using a regular product.
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.
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.
Reviews
Ekaterina: “Dries faster than regular varnish. I didn’t see any special differences from gel polishes that dry under a lamp. But you can’t easily remove it with regular nail polish remover. You have to apply cotton wool to make it come off better.”
Julia: “I use gel polish without drying it in a lamp. Longevity is good and applies smoothly. The main thing is to prepare your nails correctly and don’t forget to apply topcoat.”
Victoria: “I’m not very happy with the result. On the third day, small chips appear, and by the fifth day the gel polish is very peeling around the edges.”
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.
The best gel nail polishes
Gel manicure, due to its brightness and intense shine, looks very impressive, but with regular wear it damages and dries out the nail plate. An excellent alternative to this coating are varnishes with a gel effect. Thanks to their dense texture, rich pigmentation and glossy shine, the result of their use is truly similar to shellac. At the same time, the manicure itself can be worn without chipping for up to 14 days.
Kinetics SolarGel Up To 10 Days – perfect manicure for up to 10 days
5
★★★★★
editorial assessment
100%
buyers recommend this product
A gel-effect polish from Kinetics is used together with a top coat of the same name, which guarantees the durability of the manicure for up to 10 days. The fluid, creamy texture applies tightly and evenly with a petal brush, requires no layering and dries in 10 minutes. The product does not damage the plate and visually thickens fragile nails.
When used together with the SolarGel Up topcoat, the manicure acquires incredible durability and a brilliant shine that does not fade for up to 5 days. The Kinetics collection has many basic and trendy shades with different finishes, among which even the most picky person will find the perfect option.
Advantages:
- High durability;
- Excellent pigmentation;
- Dense and bright coverage in one layer;
- Pronounced shine;
- Rich palette of finishes and shades;
- Convenient brush.
Flaws:
- Requires the mandatory use of Kinetics SolarGel Up top.
Kinetics gel effect polish is especially recommended for girls with fragile nails, as it does not damage the plate at all and even has protective properties.
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel – rich coverage that lasts two weeks
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
93%
buyers recommend this product
Gel-effect polishes from Sally Hansen are highly pigmented and last for two weeks. The product is used together with the top coat of the same name, which gives the manicure an amazing shine and prevents chipping and rubbing of the tips.
The varnish has a dense, highly pigmented texture and is quickly spread over the plate using a wide spatula brush. Two layers of the product provide a uniform and rich coating that masks minor irregularities in the plate. But keep in mind that a manicure with this varnish hardens only in sunlight, forming a pronounced glossy shine.
The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polish collection features nude and vibrant shades with pearlescent and glossy finishes that are ideal for everyday wear and special occasions.
Advantages:
- Wide selection of colors and textures;
- Durability up to 2 weeks;
- Convenient brush;
- Masks unevenness of the nail plate;
- Easy to apply;
- Does not flow under the cuticle.
Flaws:
- Requires the mandatory use of a top coat;
- Freezes in sunlight.
Gel-effect polish from Sally Hansen is an ideal option for active girls who do not want to waste time on regular manicure correction, because it can be worn without chipping for up to 14 days.
Essie Gel Couture - the perfect couture manicure
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
90%
buyers recommend this product
In 30 pastel, bright and dark shades with a glossy finish, any girl can easily find the right product. The elastic texture of medium density, but with high pigmentation forms a uniform and rich coating in just two layers. For comfortable distribution of the product, a wide brush with a rounded edge is provided.
The nude shades in the collection deserve special attention, because they do not streak or flow under the cuticle, unlike similar varnishes from other manufacturers. A manicure created with Essie Gel Couture dries in 10 minutes, although it does require a final coat of top coat. But by renewing the fixative every 2 days, you can enjoy the perfect look of your nails for up to 2 weeks.
Advantages:
- Universal color palette;
- High durability;
- Pronounced shine;
- Excellent texture, no hassle during application;
- Convenient brush;
- No bleeding.
Flaws:
- Claimed durability is achieved only when using Essie Top-Coat sealer.
A product with a gel effect from Essie - suitable for those who have decided to take a break from shellac, but cannot come to terms with the low durability of conventional nail polishes.
