Are you a manicurist, or do you just want to explore the application of gel nail polish? Either way, you need to know the nitty-gritty of gel nail polish. The gel is incredibly long-lasting as compared to regular nail polish. It is a liquid formula that is directly applied to your natural nails.
This guide will help you in determining the best way to apply gel nail polish which is a process that could be very useful for a manicurist. Therefore, let’s walk through some of the basics as we wrap our heads on all about gel nail polish.
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7 Steps to Perfectly Apply Gel Nail Polish:
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Preparation
Before you begin applying Gel Nail Polish, you need first to prepare everything. Assemble all the tools first before you go to the nails. You can purchase bluesky gel from the bluesky cosmetics UK since they are one of the best cosmetic vendors.
The best results of Gel Polish are realized when the nails are clean and dry. Therefore, you must thoroughly prepare your nails by washing your hands well, scrubbing the nails, and getting them nice and dry.
1. Cut and file your nails
Trim your nails to your preferred shape and size with a nail clipper. After that, round out your finger’s edges using a nail file to create a smooth application.
2. Apply cuticle oil
It would be best if your nails were well hydrated to be in perfect health. Therefore, apply cuticle oil daily even before applying gel nail polish. In most cases, the cuticle works best when used with a combination of gel polish.
Push your nail’s cuticles backward, making more visibility and exposure of your nails. With the cuticle pusher, remove dead skin from your nail plate to maintain even cuticles. After that, apply cuticle oil to nourish the skin surrounding your nails.
3. Buff the nails
Nail buffing is necessary to ensure that your nail’s surface is smooth and primed enough for bond application well with gel. Therefore, buff your nails after you push your nail’s cuticle down and apply cuticle oil.
4. Clean your nails
Rub a cleanser or alcohol thoroughly for the polish to adhere to your natural nail directly and for your nails to be clean. Any impurities like the remaining dust particles or cuticle oil can make the polish prematurely lift.
5. Apply base coat
For your first polish layer, use a gel base coat to ensure that the polish properly adheres and lasts for a long time. Apply a thin coat over the entire nail as you cure every nail under an LED light or a UV lamp to make it dry. The base coat could be cured for 30 seconds and a minute before ensuring it has dried thoroughly.
Additionally, ensure that you cap the free edge or seal the open edges. Capping the free edge means painting over your nail’s edge for the protective layer to provide your nail with a chip-free finish. Ideally, the process should be done on every layer to ensure it has the strongest hold.
6. Gel polish application
Before applying polish, thoroughly shake your polish to ensure a proper formula mix. From the point where your nails begin to grow, apply every layer in a thin coat towards your nail’s edges. Only be careful not to stray towards the skin.
This process requires skill and art because you will need your gel polish application as close to your cuticle as possible but not touching it or the skin. If you make that mistake, don’t panic, though, since you can always wipe off the polish that strayed onto your skin before you start curing. If you don’t wipe off the stray polish early enough, it will become dry and harder to remove. Nail technicians usually recommend at least two coats of color.
The more you apply color coats, the more you will get your application opaque. The first one could appear streaky but thin layers will be more effective than the thick uneven ones. In between every coat, cure your polish as you place your nails under the lamp for 30 seconds each.
7. After applying your preferred nail colour, apply a top coat to seal the color. The topcoat will also give your nails a characteristic and incredible shine. It is also essential to cover the whole of your nail with a top coat as you cap the edges for a perfect seal. After that, ensure your nails are cured one last time for close to a minute to confirm they are perfectly sealed and dried.
Final thought
Gel nail application is essential because it gives you nail strength, along with a beautiful appearance. Under UV light, the gel hardens, and thus, you will not get the strong fumes that you would get during the application of acrylics. Every layer needs to be set under the UV light for two to three minutes, creating a chemical bond connecting the gel to the nails.