The gel manicure and the gel nails are gel-based nail polish. Gel polish is known to be more durable when compared to your regular polish and can stay free from chips for many weeks. The gel manicure is also more sturdy and lasts longer. It is also beautiful to have gel polish on all kinds of nails, including the long and the super short nails.
You can also try gel nails at home. Below is some advice on the subject given by a professional and renowned nail expert and artist from the State of South Florida viz. Gena del Portillo. The expert provides the best ways of gel manicure and the do's and don'ts of the process to reduce your anxiety and make your home gel manicure endeavor successful.
Gel Nail Polish and Manicure at Home
The durable and long-lasting nature and the shine of the gel polish products (soak-offs) are well known to all of us. The gel polish products and the manicure are now also available for home use so that you need not go to the parlors for getting it done. The gel nail polish and their soak-off varieties are available easily both online as well as on offline beauty retail stores throughout the world. There are now more businesses in the segment. The increasing competition has led to a decrease in prices of this once exclusive (once only available at the salons!) and pricey nail polish and product.
You should be well informed of the procedure of gel polish before you start to use it at home. The below given "do's" and "dont's" provided by the expert will help you be more informed, knowledgeable, and well prepared for that new and innovative manicure and gel polish.
Do's of Gel Manicure and Polish
Some of the important actionable ideas for a gel manicure and polish are given below.
1.Research
You must research more on gel polish and the subject to have perfectly polished nails and fingertips. The Internet is an easily available medium that can be used for research. However, you should choose only official, authentic, and reliable online resources for tips, advice, and tutorials. You can find videos on gel manicure and polish procedures on the internet. Some of the leading brands may also post such videos to keep you more informed. You can also prepare some notes on the subject, which will help you carry out the gel manicure perfectly.
2.Nail Preparation
The fingertips and the nails should be prepared for gel polish, as it requires a dry and clean surface to adhere perfectly. It also ensures that your gel polish lasts longer. Below is a step-by-step procedure for nail prep for a gel manicure and fingertip polish.
- Push back the cuticles gently.
- File the fingernails to any desired shape you want.
- Rough surfaces will cause application and adhesion issues. Therefore, ensure that you obtain the hangers for nail edges and the underneath area.
- Use some extra fine buffer for buffing the edges and the surface of the nails (it will remove any existing shine).
- Now spray some approved cleansing alcohol. After a few seconds, wipe it dry so that all the debris is removed.
You can also apply the pH balance fluid or the primer before you apply your nail polish. It will be included in your gel polish and manicure kit.
3. Ensure that You have all the Supplies
You must ensure that you have all the products and supplies before you start the process of gel nail polish. If you touch anything later on unnecessarily, your nail tips may gather on the manicure. Below is the list of items that you should have with you before you begin your gel polish process.
- Acetone.
- Gel lamp.
- Gel polish (including base primer and top coat).
- Wipes (lint free).
- Cleansing alcohol.
- A brush (for clean-up).
- A paper towel.
4.Use a Proper Technique
If you carry out the process appropriately, it will ensure that the health of your fingernails is maintained. Acetone can cause the dehydration of the plate of the nails. However, a soaking-off nail gel polish can prevent any nail peeling. A file will help break gel polish's surface. Put some acetone on the wipes and wrap. Let the wrap sit for up to a maximum of 15 minutes and do not disturb it during the period Any remaining gel that exists on the nails can be removed by using an orange stick. If you find that some gel still remains, you can apply the wipes with acetone and the foil again for some minutes.
Don'ts of Gel Manicure and Polish
There are certain things that you should avoid and not do during the gel manicure procedure. This don'ts of the process is listed below.
1.Do Not Apply the Thick Layers
If you apply thick layers of gel polish, it will affect its adhesion and cure adversely. Thin layer application will provide for more smoother and desirable results. If a heavy and thick layer has already been applied, you can make use of the "dry brush" possess and technique. You can use a brush for wiping the excess gel polish and can drag it over the already gel-polished nail. Once the curing is done, you can have a maximum of up to 3 layers.
2.Avoid Washing Hands Before Gel Polish Application
Gel polish will be applied in the best way when the nails are super dry. That is why many dehydrating activities are carried out before polish.
3.Don't Allow Gel Polish and Skin Contact
The gel polish leftovers will begin to lift after the manicure is done. If some polish is still left to be cured after the application is done, it may also result in uneven and jagged sides.You can dip an angled brush within acetone and clean the nail sides and the cuticles to remove all the extra polish.
4.Avoid Picking
Do not pick after the application. Picking is the reason why the gel polish is said to damage the nail plate. Gel polish adheres firmly. Any picking may result in the lifting of the nail layers along with the gel layer. It may result in flaked nails, among other issues. Therefore, you mustn't pick after the application and give the nail the time to soak properly after application.
You can get a fabulous and authentic DIY gel nail polish application and manicure at your fingertips if you can follow the steps and the advice given above. However, also ensured that you have a quality gel nail polish kit with you along with all the necessary supplies before you start the process.