Gel polish at home: a step-by-step guide for beginners

Gel polish at home is easy! Step-by-step instructions for applying and removing gel polish at home, as well as all the secrets and useful tips!

A revolutionary invention - gel polish - has changed the world of beauty forever. Just 10 years ago, the female half of humanity had no idea that a manicure could retain its original appearance for a month, but everything changed with the invention of gel polish.

Previously, nail correction had to be done approximately once every 4-5 days; the polish did not always lie smoothly and could peel and peel. But with the advent of gel polish, everything has changed; a woman gets a flawless and lasting manicure at an affordable price. Gel polishes are used by ladies of all ages, professionals in beauty salons and ordinary women at home.

Learning how to make gel polish yourself is not at all difficult, you just need to purchase special materials and tools, and you will also need a little patience.

In this article we will talk in detail about how to make a high-quality manicure with gel polish at home.

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Materials and tools for gel polish manicure

To make a high-quality coating of nails with gel polish, you need to prepare and purchase the following tools and materials:

• Base;
• Top or topcoat;
• Nail plate degreaser or alcohol (boric acid);
• Ultraviolet lamp;
• Colored gel polish;
• Pilaka buff;
• Spatula, scissors, cuticle nippers;
• Cuticle oil (almond, jojoba, castor);
• Orange stick;
• Primer;
• Bondex;
• Klister;
• Cotton wool;
• Foil;
• Nail polish remover;
• Lint-free wipes;
• Decoration products.

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Bases, tops, primers and gel polishes

These are the main components of a three-phase nail gel polish system.

• Bases

. There are rubber, regular and biogels. For thin and weakened nails, it is better to use biogel: it is thicker and more elastic. Regular bases will work for good nails. Rubber bases are easier to work with and self-leveling easily, but cost a little more.

• Tops

. Tops can be thick and flowing, with or without a sticky layer. The consistency should be chosen based on ease of application. Tops with a sticky layer are used to secure designs, sliders and other accessories. The non-stick topcoat is suitable for any other topcoat.

• Primers - enhance the adhesion between the nail plate and the color coating, respectively. The average wear of gel polish increases.

• Gel polishes. In order to choose the right gel polish brand for you, you will have to try some of them. They differ in thickness, fluidity, and color palette. We recommend reading reviews before purchasing.

There are also 3-in-1 or single-phase colored gel polishes. They do not require the application of foundation and top, as they are already included in their composition. Such materials have not gained much popularity, since they are still inferior in properties and brilliance to the three-phase application system.

Review of rubber base for gel polish

Step by step gel polish application at home

• First you need to prepare your hands and make a special warm bath to disinfect and soften the skin.

• Preparing the nail plate: doing a trimmed or untrimmed manicure. Apply remover to the cuticle to soften it. Next, we push back the cuticle with a pusher or an orange stick and treat the skin at the nail folds and get rid of the cuticle.

• Using a nail file, we make the desired shape and polish the nail plate with a buffer so that the surface of the nail adheres firmly to the base.

• We degrease the nail using lint-free wipes, thanks to which the coating is as even as possible.

• Apply primer (ultrabond) carefully, without touching the skin around the nail. The primer ensures strong adhesion of the base to the nail: the principle of its operation can be compared to double-sided tape. If nature has blessed you with strong, unbreakable nails, then this stage can be omitted.

• We cover the nail plate with a thin layer of base coat, seal the ends, and dry it in a UV-LED lamp. If the surface of the nail is not smooth enough, you need to make it smooth.

• Apply gel polish of the desired shade, seal the ends and dry again in a UV lamp.

• The final stage is applying the finish. The ends should be sealed well with a top coat, otherwise the gel polish may chip. Dry the top coat in a UV-LED lamp for 2 minutes 30 seconds.

• At the very end, do not forget to remove the sticky layer if necessary.

And now we will tell you about each stage in more detail.

A special bath will prepare your hands for a manicure

Stages of the procedure step by step

Gel polish for beginners is a rather complex procedure, since it contains many stages, each of which must be paid attention to and followed.

The technology for applying gel polish includes four main stages:

1. Preparing the nail plate for decoration.
2. Applying the base.
3. Performing a color design or a single-color coating.
4. Fixing the work with a top.

To ensure that the manicure looks well-groomed and remains in the same condition for up to 2-3 weeks, be careful when carrying out each stage, make sure that the work surface is clean while performing them.

Preparation

To ensure that the gel polish lays evenly on the nail bed and does not form bumps and detachments ahead of time, you should perform a rough manicure, which involves completely cleaning the nail.

You need to start working by washing your hands and then drying them completely. This step can be replaced by using an antiseptic, as it ensures that moisture quickly drains from the skin.

The preparatory stage most often takes about forty minutes:

1. Adjust the shape of the free edge with a file.
2. Apply the remover to the cuticle.
3. After a minute, push back the cuticle with a pusher or an orange stick and lift it.
4. Use nail scissors or clippers to cut off the keratinized epidermis.
5. Polish the nail bed with buff.
6. Remove excess sawdust with a stiff brush.
7. Apply dehydrator to degrease the surface.

Keep in mind that all manipulations should be performed carefully, slowly, otherwise there is a risk of accidental damage to the periungual area, and a manicure with bruises will look sloppy.

Also, before applying the pigment, it is recommended to use a primer - a special product that increases the adhesion of the decorative coating to the nail. There are acidic and acid-free compositions that differ in the direction of action - the former remove the fatty film from the surface, tightly fixing the gel polish, and the latter strengthen the weakened surface, which also increases the long-term preservation of the work.

As a standard, the primer does not need to be dried in a lamp, but some acidic products need to be dried, so before using them you need to pay attention to the instructions prescribed by the manufacturer.

Applying base coat

The base is an important stage when applying dye, since when the pigment is distributed over a clean plate, there is a high probability that it will quickly begin to chip and come off. The base layer is the ideal medium for fixing the dye.

Apply the base evenly over the entire nail plate. The layer should not be very thick so that it can be dried in an ultraviolet or LED lamp for 1-1.5 minutes. Only after this can you apply the main gel polish, which will create the design of the manicure.

Keep in mind that sometimes you can use not ordinary bases, but self-leveling solutions. They not only create high adhesion to the pigment, but also smooth out the nails, eliminating minor cosmetic defects in the form of bumps and depressions that can interfere with the technology.

After distributing the base, you can apply colored shades of pigment in two middle layers to completely cover the natural manicure. Each stage is dried in a lamp for one minute. After drying two layers, you can create a unique design using simple nail design options:

• Stamping;
• Stickers;
• Rubbing;
• Foil;
• Stencils.

The applied design also needs to be thoroughly dried in a lamp.

Application of topcoat

To prevent the work from coming off prematurely, it must be fixed with a finishing coat - top. It is recommended to use all formulations of the same brand so that their active ingredients do not conflict with each other.

Pay attention to the technology of uniform distribution of the top:

1. Apply the mixture to the center of the nail.
2. Spread the solution on one side, moving the brush from the base to the free edge.
3. Repeat the manipulation on the other side.
4. Align the remaining product in the center.
5. Seal the end (to do this, run along the free edge of the nail) to prevent premature convergence of the work.
6. If the coating turns out uneven, turn the nail face down for a few seconds so that the topcoat flows to the center and spontaneously distributes over the nail.

It takes a little longer to dry the finish coat in the lamp - one and a half minutes.

Final stage

Most topcoats have a sticky layer after drying, so the final stage of the manicure is removing it. The standard way to do this is to use a lint-free cloth moistened with a cleaner, which should be passed over the surface 1-2 times.

If you don’t have a cleaner, you can use available materials (medicinal alcohol, acetone, liquid for removing regular varnish dye), but you need to be as careful as possible with them, because there is always a risk of accidental damage to the gel polish and deterioration of its visual condition.

Step-by-step instructions for applying gel polish for beginners at home

First you need to prepare your hands and make a special warm bath to disinfect and soften the skin.

If you add several components to it, the procedure will not only be pleasant, but also very useful for your nails. It is recommended to add a drop of shampoo, liquid soap or shower gel, 1 teaspoon of sea salt and lemon juice to a small container with warm water, mix all the ingredients and dip your fingers into the prepared solution.

After 15-20 minutes, rinse your hands with a brush and dry with a towel.

To soften the cuticle and make it easier to remove, you can make a bath based on any nourishing or medicinal oil, heated in a water bath, adding a few drops of vitamin E and lemon juice.

We immerse our fingers in the prepared solution for about 10 minutes, after which we thoroughly wipe each finger with a paper towel and begin processing the cuticle after a couple of minutes.

The cuticle has softened and now you can easily push it back with an orange stick and begin to remove the dead part and excess skin around the nail plate, but do not overdo it, because small cuts leave a sloppy appearance and also contribute to the possible introduction of infections into the nail bed. Before starting the procedure, you can treat your nails and skin with a disinfectant.

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Nail preparation

In order for the gel polish to lay evenly and adhere well to the nails, it is important to prepare them correctly. Wipe the nail plate with alcohol and polish with a buff. Use a polishing block to carefully remove the keratin layer, making sure that the entire surface of the nail is treated.

You need to apply the buff with the wide side to the nail plate; the direction of the cut when polishing is carried out along the nail plate and only in 2 directions: to the right and to the left.

When the surface of the nails is prepared, apply sunscreen to the skin around the nail plate so that the ultraviolet radiation during drying the gel polish in the lamp does not dry out the skin.

Applying base coat

In order for the gel polish to adhere better to the nail plate, a special base is needed. Therefore, when purchasing a base coat, choose a quality product, because the quality of the coating and the durability of your manicure will depend on it. The base is applied in a thin layer to the surface of the nail, then dried in a UV lamp.

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• “Fashion trends in manicure 2019-2020: new designs, ideas, photos”

Applying gel polish

Now you can apply any color gel polish to your liking. Gel polish is usually applied in 2-3 layers, and each layer should be as thin as possible, then the shellac will adhere perfectly. Excess gel polish from the skin around the nail can be easily removed with an orange stick.

Helpful advice! Before applying shellac, you can use regular Vaseline to create a protective barrier around the nail plate. You should carefully apply Vaseline to the cuticle and the skin around the nail, this helps coat the surface of the skin and prevents the varnish from penetrating into it.

After applying each layer, the nails are placed under a UV lamp to polymerize the varnish. If the color of the varnish is not saturated enough, you can repeat the procedure again. When the color coating has completely dried, you can begin the final stage - applying the top coat.

Applying top

The final coat or top is the final stage in creating a manicure. The top is needed to secure all the coatings that have been applied to the nail. Using a topcoat can prolong the durability of a manicure, protect it from mechanical stress, and add brightness, richness and depth to the color.

There are a lot of top options; manufacturers offer matte and glossy products with a characteristic shine, with or without a sticky layer.

The top is applied in a thin and even layer only to the material; after the color has completely dried, the coating is evenly distributed over the entire nail plate, including the end part, to seal it.

After applying the final coating, it must be dried under a UV lamp for approximately 2 minutes. If you have a top coat with a sticky layer, then after polymerization you need to remove it with a cleaner or alcohol. After that, all that remains is to rub in a special oil to moisturize and strengthen the cuticle and enjoy a flawless manicure.

As you can see, making gel polish at home is easier than it seems, and you shouldn’t be afraid of it.

Composition of gel polish

Gel polish has a polymer structure, it is quite durable and beautiful. The chemical composition of gel polish includes the following components:

• Film former;
• Photoinitiator;
• Methacrylates;
• Pigments;
• Silica;
• Thinner and other decorative fillers.

The film former in the gel polish ensures the strength and elasticity of the material by forming a hard film on the surface of the nail plate when exposed to ultraviolet radiation from a UV lamp. Thanks to this component, the gel polish does not deteriorate and is highly resistant even when in contact with active substances in household chemicals and other substances.

The photoinitiator reacts to ultraviolet radiation and promotes polymerization. The amount of this component affects the drying time, and the more of it in the gel polish, the faster the nail polish hardens.

Methacrylates create the desired consistency of gel polish. Silica prevents the appearance of pigment sediment at the bottom of the jar. Pigments determine the final color of the gel polish and its density. To obtain a variety of shades and new colors, shellacs can be mixed with each other. When creating a high-quality manicure, when mixing, it is better to use gel polishes from one manufacturer.

Other chemical components - additives and various fillers - may differ slightly from one manufacturer to another, because they also affect the quality of the final product, giving the coating its sophistication and individuality.

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All the steps to a perfect manicure

Coating your nails with gel polish is a procedure in several simple steps. By performing each step in turn, you end up with a neat manicure and a great mood from the result of your efforts.

The entire sequence of applying gel polish comes down to the following steps.

1. Process the cuticle and create the ideal nail shape for you with a file. This is a fairly important step, since the appearance of the final result will depend on your thoroughness and accuracy. Don't forget, gel polish can be worn on your nails for about a month. To ensure that your manicure remains presentable as your nails grow and does not peel off, pay enough attention to this point.

2. Polishing the surface of the nail plate with a special stone. This does not mean that you will cut off the entire thickness of the nail; a couple of movements with the bar are enough. This is done so that there is better adhesion between the natural nail and the artificial coating.

3. Degreasing the nail plate. Nails, like our entire body, release particles of fat to the surface; this is a natural process of the body. To prevent the coating from peeling off, do not forget to treat each nail.

4. Apply primer and natural drying. You have already read about this tool above. If you purchased it, then use it before the next steps of manicure.

5. Applying bonder. As in the previous paragraph, it is not worth repeating. Just use it and dry it in the lamp for enough time.

6. Base coat, or base. Serves as a barrier between the living nail and the gel polish so that the coloring pigment does not penetrate the structure of the nail plate. In addition, the base levels the surface. Apply to the nail plate and seal along the open edge of the nail. For perfect application, many artists use an additional thin brush. It is more convenient to distribute the base to fully cover the entire nail. Apply and dry in a lamp.

7. Queue of colored gel polish. The application procedure is exactly the same as the base coat. If you decide to make several layers, then each of them is dried in a lamp separately.

8. You can decorate the colored coating in various ways. Rhinestones, water-based, adhesive or other stickers, special adhesive tapes, glitter and many other materials are great for this.

9. The final stage is applying the top coat. It is no different from applying the base; the ends of the nails are sealed in the same way. The top coat serves as a protective top layer from external influences and keeps the visual appearance of the manicure ideal for a long time. Today there is a glossy and matte topcoat. Combining them to create interesting gel polish manicure options is quite popular.

The sequence of these steps will lead you to excellent results for a long time.

Removing gel polish

Gel polish can be removed in 2 ways:

• by softening it with a solvent or dissolving it with a liquid;
• cutting off the gel coating using cutters.

First way

• To remove gel polish, you can buy a special liquid (remover), which can be either without acetone or containing acetone. You can use a classic nail polish remover containing acetone. Vodka or alcohol diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio is also suitable.

• It is necessary to cut the cotton pads into small pieces so that they cover the entire nail, soak them in solvent and secure the pad on each finger with foil, medical tape, or use special clips and caps . Now you need to wait about 10-15 minutes until the gel polish dissolves.

• Next, using an orange stick or pusher, try to remove the softened old coating in the direction of nail growth. Remove the remaining gel polish with a soft buff, take a bath, treat your nails and start a new manicure.

The second method of removing gel polish

Involves cutting off gel polish using machines and a cutter. Cutting off the coating with a device is a quick and convenient way to remove gel polish. Modern masters recommend removing gel polish using a machine - this method is safe and non-traumatic, even compared to classic filing, and especially with soaking the nail plate in an acetone solution.

You should be aware that filing of the coating is necessary before the base (it is easy to see by its characteristic glossy shine), so the cutter itself comes into contact only with the artificial material and cannot harm the nail plate. Beginners should choose a soft bit with a yellow belt. An experienced craftsman should choose the most suitable cutter for removing gel polish, ceramic with a blue or, less commonly, green notch.

Which brand of gel polish is better to choose?

Now on store shelves there is a wide selection of gel polishes from different manufacturers and at very different prices. Which company is better to choose gel polish?

• American and Canadian brands are considered the standard of quality: CND, Gelish, Kodi, Pnb, Luxio and others. The pioneer among them is still the CND , and their legendary creation Shellac has come to mean the entire family of gel varnishes (although this is not entirely fair, because shellac is CND’s ). The products of the American company CND can be classified as premium class for their impeccable quality, innovative formulas, compositions that are harmless to nails, and the most current and fashionable shades. The only drawback is the high price, approximately 1000 rubles per bottle.
• European manufacturers of gel polishes are less popular, although in terms of quality and other characteristics they are not inferior to products from the USA, for example, the German brand OPI and Grattol or the French brand Beautix have also won the love of masters. Simple and comfortable application, non-allergenic composition, pleasant smell, rich, highly pigmented colors and a varied palette. The price of gel polishes starts from about 800 rubles per bottle.
• Gel polishes from the Canadian brand Akzentz Luxio are distinguished by a win-win palette of elegant shades, increased durability, complete absence of odor and non-allergenic composition. Gel polish is easy to apply, and the drying time takes only 30 seconds, while the gel polish does not dry out or injure the nail plate. This is a 100% gel, so you need to apply it exactly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and use a powerful UV lamp, and the gel can only be removed with a device. Price: approximately 1200 rubles per bottle.
• Korean and Japanese products have gained particular popularity: brands Masura, Haruyama, Uskusi , which have high quality gel polishes, but at an affordable price.
• Chinese products: Cristina, Bluesky, Canni are always popular. Of course, they are not so easy to use and have a strong smell, but despite this, they look and wear no worse than their other colleagues. An affordable price, from about 100 rubles per bottle, and even lower, makes the Chinese product in demand, especially for nail salons and home use. You can buy inexpensive gel polishes on the official website: AliExpress, where there is free fast delivery.
• Gel polishes from Russian manufacturers: Bohemia, Dona Verdona, Aurelia, RuNail, Klio Professional, E.Mi and others are just beginning to conquer the market, but reviews about them are mostly positive, due to their good quality. Gel polishes are very durable, do not chip and do not become cloudy over time. Thick, manageable consistency, quite economical, some shades are applied in 1 layer, there is a large selection of different colors. Price from 350-600 rubles per bottle.

You can buy gel polishes at an excellent price/quality ratio in the following online stores

• Official website OZON
• AliExpress official website

Lesson No. 5: How to properly coat clients’ nails with gel polishes

In the client's understanding, a manicure service is hygienic cleaning + coating.
You will be faced with the fact that making an appointment for a manicure will constitute just such a complex, since the thirst for beauty never leaves women and gel polish allows housewives to forget about unpainted nails even with difficult work. We have already successfully learned how to make a salon-quality manicure and pedicure, so this lesson will be devoted exclusively to covering nails with gel polish systems. The online lesson material will teach you:

• Sequences of actions when working with gel polish systems (different brands);
• Proper preparation of the nail plates of the hands and feet, without harm to them;
• Select the necessary tools and tools;
• How to apply the gel so that it lasts for a long time;
• How to apply each component;
• How to quickly assemble flower sets;
• What you need to know so that the client is satisfied with the coating.

To cover your client's nails with gel, you will need:

1. coating system (degreaser, base, pigment (gel polish), top);
2. liquid for removing the dispersion layer (if necessary, if required by the system);
3. ultraviolet lamp with timer for convenience;
4. orange stick;
5. file 180/240 (if you did not give the free edge a shape at the time of manicure);
6. buff for the natural surface of the nail (180/240);
7. cotton swabs or pads;
8. a thin manicure brush for painting (made of synthetic fibers, they interact perfectly with the gel, unlike natural ones) and decorating materials;
9. cuticle oil;
10. hand cream.

Types of nail plates - and their corresponding gel structure:

Nails are different in structure, as is the density of the gels, so each plate has its own. To ensure that the coating you make is worn for a long time and not damaged, match the gel and the plate, then the result of the wear will also be ideal. If you talk to your client, she will tell you that different professionals she used, using different brands, gave different results. It is a mistake to think that the same gel suits everyone. It's all about the density of the nail.

The normal type of nail plate is neither thin nor thick, rarely flakes, quickly recovers and grows, it is a pleasure to work with this type. It has a light, uniform, but not transparent pinkish tint, which means that there is a sufficient amount of vitamins in the body, and the diet contains mainly health benefits. It does not require any special nuances; standard approaches are ideal for it. It will wear well on gels of all densities, including glitters.

The thin type of nail plate is brittle and bends when touched with any force. It has a translucent, uneven color with a pink or beige tint. Most likely, this condition is due to vitamin deficiencies and weakened immunity. You should not use too hard gels for this type of nail; it is better to use medium-dense or soft ones. Since nails bend, they are easier to separate from the coating from the slightest touch (for example, when washing dishes, if you help remove leftovers from the plates with your nail), as a result the nail will be broken and the coating will be chipped. But if you take a gel that slightly follows the movements of the nail, then its wearability will be 2 times better.

Dense nail plate - strong, usually grow quickly, bend with difficulty. They have a pink color along the plate and a slight yellowness along the free edge. Sometimes such compaction is caused by hormonal imbalances, but this is not a fact; perhaps this is a normal condition of the nail. All thick and medium-density gels are suitable for such nails, but soft ones that replicate flexibility - no, they do not last long in interaction with this plate.

How to choose a UV lamp for drying gel polish at home

When choosing a UV lamp for home use, you need to know what it is for and how much you are willing to spend on this purchase.

There are different types of UV lamps for manicure

UV lamps are:

• By size: you can dry one or two hands at the same time.
• By type: LED and fluorescent.
• According to the ignition circuit.
• By power: the power of the lamp determines the drying time of the gel polish; the higher it is, the faster the polymerization of the coating occurs.

For home use, a UV lamp with a power of 9 W to 54 W is suitable. Lamps of different wattages contain different numbers of bulbs.

For example, a 36 W lamp has 4 light bulbs, and a 54 W lamp has as many as 9 light bulbs.

Remember that drying the varnish in a UV lamp is necessary after applying each layer. The lamp has a power of 36 W - it takes 30 seconds to dry the base, and 2 minutes to dry the color and topcoat.

The higher the power of the UV lamp, the shorter the drying time, and, conversely, with low power, the polymerization time of the coating increases.

Rating of the best lamps for drying gel polish

To choose a quality product, experts recommend purchasing a UV lamp from trusted manufacturers.

After studying a huge range of offers, we chose 7 devices that differ from analogues in their increased quality and better performance.

This rating includes:

1. TNL Professional;
2. Planet Nails;
3. Runail 36 W 818;
4. Kodi LED 9W;
5. Kosmekka LED NL-003 9W;
6. Sun 9S UV/LED 24W;
7. Nova CCFL/LED 48W.

Why is it necessary to apply a base?

The base coat is the basis of any manicure using gel polish.

Main functions of the base coat:

• Nail protection;
• Alignment;
• Strengthening the adhesion of the subsequent layer to the nail plate;
• Protection and strengthening of the nail from the chemical components of the varnish.

If you do not apply a base coat under gel polish, even the most expensive and high-quality shellac will lie unevenly on the surface of the nail and will peel off. The base is an indispensable material for high-quality manicure; any gel polish requires the mandatory application of a base coat.

Leveling technology

1. First layer. The applied first layer of base coat must be cured in a lamp if:
   Nails are thin or damaged, and applying too much material can burn them. Apply the base using trampling movements. When leveling healthy nails, there is no need to dry the first layer, it remains damp;

   Several bases are being connected: the plastic one is used first, and the more rigid one is covered on top;

2. Drop installation. At an angle of 45 degrees, the drop is placed on the nail with a brush and pulled to the sides towards the lateral sinuses and downward according to the “left-right-center-down” pattern. The result should be a beautiful, even funnel;

3. Contraction of volumes. As soon as a funnel is formed, we begin to pull the material from the funnel area to the free edge of the nail plate;

4. Marigold flip at an angle of 45 degrees to the parallel of the table so that the distributed material is collected at the apex, the highest point of the natural nail.

5. Polymerization in a lamp.

For the leveling process, you can replace the base coating with biogel and follow the same scheme. It is also important when distributing the material to move the brush over it gently, without pressing.

Biogel and its properties for strengthening, building, health and growth of nails

Why is it necessary to apply topcoat?

The top coat is the final stage in creating a manicure. It protects the color coating and gives the manicure a glossy shine.

Main functions of the top coating:

• Alignment;
• Drying;
• Protection and preservation of coating color;
• Strengthening.
• Shine and volume.

The top coat must be applied in a thin and even layer, so you should take the exact amount of product onto the brush that is needed to treat one nail.

The top coating is available in several types, each of which, in addition to durability, can provide special effects, for example, additional decoration in the form of sparkles. Topcoats also make nails super shiny, matte or give a sandy texture.

You can also buy base and top coats on the Ozon and Aliexpress

Applying gel polish has its own characteristics

Drawing

If desired, various images are applied on top. For each drawing, it is important to follow the technology and do the steps without rushing. For work, brushes with natural bristles are used. You can also use tape, foil, stencils, rhinestones and different colors of varnish for drawings. Images are applied at the end after drying and applying a top coat or during the procedure.

Correct application of manicure

Scotch tape or tape

The material is intended for the production of geometric designs. Strips are glued onto the nail and a layer of varnish is applied on top. After drying, the strips are removed with tweezers. The result is a beautiful manicure with a pattern. An example is shown in the photo.

Scotch tape for applying designs to nails

Rhinestones

Decoration is usually done on one or two claws. For rhinestones, a wax pencil is used, which perfectly transfers grains of sand to the claw. Then the coating is coated with top (fixing) varnish.

Rhinestones on nails

Foil

The material is pressed against the gel polish, which is not completely dried in the lamp. The nails must be coated twice with shellac and dried for no more than two minutes. Then apply the foil and tear it off sharply. The finished drawing is covered with topcoat. The result is shown in the photo.

Foil drawing

Brush

Working with this instrument does not require art education. Using a brush, various patterns, dots, and even transitions from one color to another shade are drawn.

Drawing with a brush

To work, you need to have several bottles of shellac of different colors. After each layer, the varnish should be dried in a lamp.

Stencil

To work, you will also need several bottles of varnish. The first base coat of varnish is applied to the prepared nails. Then it is dried in a lamp. A stencil is applied to it and gel polish is applied again on top of it.

Drawing on nails using a stencil

After drying, the stencil is removed from the surface. A protective layer is applied on top, and drying is carried out again in the lamp.

cat's eye

To get this manicure, you don’t need to draw a cat’s organ of vision on your nail. This name was given to the gel polish due to its unique perfect shine and inimitable shimmer. Outwardly, these nails really resemble the eyes of a cat.

Cat eye gel polish

To achieve the cat eye effect, you will need a certain shellac with glitter and a magnet. First, the varnish is applied, and then a magnet is brought in, which shades it. It can be applied to any place. If you don’t like something, the nail is repainted, the magnet is brought closer again and the result is secured with drying and a top coat.

Good to know! The technology for making drawings can be seen in the video.

Secrets of smooth application of gel polish

Most gel polishes have a sticky structure, so it is not always possible to apply them evenly to the nail plate.

Manicurists share some secrets for smooth application of gel polish:

• Each layer must be applied evenly, being careful not to touch the cuticle and sealing the edge.
• For your first manicure, choose a clear, nude or pastel shade and apply it in one layer. You should switch to bright shades when your hand has already trained, since carelessly applied gel polish can ruin the entire manicure.
• Choose good materials from trusted manufacturers. Poor quality material will never make a flawless manicure; bubbles, unevenness, and chips may appear.

Primer, Bondex, Cleanser - what's the difference?

Perhaps a beginner who is doing gel polish for the first time is not familiar with these names.

• Primer is needed to prepare the nail plate for joining, but it itself does not take part in this process. It normalizes pH, degreases the nail and cannot be dried under a UV lamp.

• Bondex - needed to connect the nail plate with gel polish. Prevents peeling of the nail plate and ensures the strength of the coating that is applied to the nail.

• Klinser is a solution consisting of an alcohol base and some oils. Used at the final stage to remove the sticky layer from the surface of the nails. Klinser can be used instead of a primer, as it is an excellent antiseptic.

Experts advise buying products from the same brand to avoid chemical incompatibility of components and durability of the adhesion.

Differences between primer, bondex, and clinser from each other

Shellac terminology is full of unfamiliar words, the meaning of which a novice manicurist can only guess. At least some of them should be considered. Below is a step-by-step comparison of three key shellac products.

• The primer is used to prepare the nail for adhesion, but it does not adhere anything, but only removes everything unnecessary on the plate. It can be compared to priming walls for wallpaper. It restores the pH of the nail plate, cleans everything so that the product adheres as correctly and firmly as possible. The degreasing primer does not require additional drying under an ultraviolet lamp.
• Bondex is a gel-like substance used to increase adhesion between the nail plate and shellac. Thanks to this product, the nails do not peel off, and the artificial material stays on the nail plate for as long as possible. Its action can be compared to double-sided tape, when it tightens both the nail and the shellac. Bondex should not be applied to the skin or cuticles; if the product gets on your fingers, they should be washed with running water. These two products (bondex and primer) are often confused.
• Klinser is a water-alcohol solution with fragrances and oils. Removes the sticky layer at the very end of applying gel nail polish at home, a fixative, although it can replace the primer if necessary, since it is a good antiseptic.

These three different manicure products are a must-have for any woman who takes care of her nails and doesn't mindlessly try to grow them. If possible, you should purchase them from the same brand, for example, Ingarden, Bluesky, to avoid chemical incompatibility and deterioration of adhesion. Proper care guarantees healthy nails and a beautiful appearance of shellac.

Features of applying shellac to extended nails

You can apply gel polish to extended nails, if you take some points into account. Applying gel polish to extended nails can make them look more voluminous, so all layers should be as thin as possible so that the manicure does not look too bulky.

The procedure for covering extended nails is carried out according to the classic scheme of applying gel polish to the nail plate.

The extended nail is also polished with a special file, degreased and a thin layer of base is applied. After this, it is dried in a UV lamp and a color coating is applied, dried again and a second color coating is applied, polymerized again, a top coat is applied, dried, and the sticky layer is removed.

Applying gel polish to extended nails at home is quite simple, but removing it is problematic. Shellac is the same gel as extended nails, so you can remove it. Keep this in mind if you decide to apply a coating to gel or acrylic nails.

A step-by-step guide will help you understand: how to make gel polish at home

How to beautifully paint your nails with black polish?

Black nail polish is a favorite among many women. This is because it suits nails of almost any shape and fingers of any length and thickness. Black varnish gives mystery and special brutality to its owner. Applying black polish can be tricky simply because it tends to stain the skin around the nail.

• Try to apply black polish first to your right hand and only then to your left.
• Do not put too much polish on the brush - it will spread and leave unsightly stains on the nail.
• Apply the first layer very thin and the second thicker to give the color depth.
• Use a special corrector or a toothpick wrapped in cotton wool soaked in acetone to remove errors from an inaccurate manicure.

black matte varnish

Simple nail design with gel polish at home

We have already looked in detail at how to do a manicure with gel polish at home step by step. Of course, a simple monochromatic manicure in a fashionable color looks attractive. But in addition to a single-color coating, you can add small accents in the form of light drawings and patterns on the nails, which consist of simple lines, dots, curls, and this is a skill that any girl can do.

To do this, you only need a few bottles of gel polish of different colors, 2-3 brushes, a little imagination and the desire to experiment.

Let's look at several simple and concise nail design options at home.

Gel polish drawing: hieroglyph

Drawing a hieroglyph on your nails is not difficult. Painting nails with hieroglyphs is suitable for girls who love the East, mysterious representatives of the fair sex. The background of the design should be chosen from red to white and transparent. After completing all stages of the main manicure, use a thin brush to apply the image onto the nail with strokes.

Before applying a hieroglyph, carefully study its meaning. The most common characters used in the beauty industry are Chinese characters.

Classic French

Classic French gel polish

French is always in fashion; it looks neat, gentle on nails and traditionally remains a classic option for any occasion. French is suitable for women of any age, both a young girl and a business woman. A classic French manicure is not particularly difficult for an experienced master; you only need a brush.

But if you are a beginner, you can use special strips and stencils.

After the base color has dried, the next step is to draw the smile line using a brush. The stencil will help you create a perfectly straight smile line, which you can complement with patterns, rhinestones or sparkles, so you can easily make French gel polish at home.

Gradient

Gradient (ombre) on nails with gel polish

The gradient is a very common and delicate pattern, representing a smooth transition between color shades. This type of coating appeared relatively recently, but is already very popular among fashionistas, and also looks good on any length of the nail plate. The gradient can be smooth (ombre) or clear, even geometric, consisting of identical stripes or shapes of different shades.

It looks good to use different shades of the same color. The modern technique of applying gel polish - a gradient - gives a wide range of imagination, while you can combine not only solid shades, but also a wide variety of bright colors.

Beginners can start with simple drawings from simple dots circles or master a simple technique of painting on wet gel polish; you can use a stamping kit or stickers.

To make more complex and naturalistic drawings, which are created with the smallest details with a brush and using volumetric modeling, it is quite difficult to do without experience.

Lunar manicure

Lunar nail art

The lunar type of manicure has already become popular. In this case, the entire nail plate is covered with varnish of one color, and the hole at the base of the nail is treated with varnish of a different color. To correctly choose the right color solutions for you, you need to take into account the features of other components of the image.

Contrasting color combinations – for example, black and white – look quite advantageous. But you can also opt for more extravagant combinations - for example, black and red.

Matte manicure

Matte manicure with gel polish

This manicure looks very stylish and elegant. To create a matte finish, special varnishes are used that provide a perfectly smooth and beautiful finish. The matte finish looks great in dark colors - purple, black, burgundy and blue. You can choose a variety of colors - it all depends on the characteristics of your composition.

Cat eye manicure

"Cat-eye"

This type of varnish allows you to get a long-lasting manicure with a beautiful effect. The varnish used for this type of manicure contains tiny metal particles. It is possible to achieve an amazing pattern after painting under the influence of a special magnet. This results in an incredibly beautiful shine and voluminous three-dimensional patterns reminiscent of a precious stone.

Making a beautiful gel polish manicure yourself and creating an unusual design at home is not difficult, but even interesting. The main thing is to be patient, prepare the necessary materials and devices that are needed for a home monochromatic manicure or for creating nail art. After all, now you can admire a new manicure more than once a month, which will be flawless in a variety of incarnations.

How to beautifully paint your nails with two colors, photo

Two-color manicure is extremely popular. Depending on the season, its colors may be different, but nevertheless, it does not lose its relevance. Painting your nails with two colors is not too difficult. There are two main ways:

Combination - you combine two colors on one finger. It will take time to create such a manicure. Apply the first coat of varnish in an even layer, wait until it dries completely. Now, depending on your design, apply a second color of polish. You can use special stickers or simple tape to give your nails special shapes and patterns.

Semicircular stickers, like for a French manicure, can be glued not only to the top part of the plate, but also to the bottom, creating a hole. Scotch tape can be used to create many stripes and geometric shapes that, when removed, will reveal a beautiful design.

two-color manicure

Alternation - for this it is proposed to paint all the nails with one color and only certain fingers with a completely different one. You can pursue the French manicure style by creating a stripe in the vertical part of the nail with a second color, or you can not do this at all. Everyone will pay attention to your manicure.

two-color manicure