Gel Basics

August 18, 2017

Hey guys!! Just as a heads up, today, we will be doing gel nails. So if you don't have gel polish, or a gel dryer, then there probably won't be anything for you in this post. (sorry😕) But you can check out my previous post, which is about applying regular nail polish. But back to the subject at hand, if you do have those things, (those things being gel nail polish and a UV/LED lamp) or you're planning on getting them soon, then keep on reading!!

What you will need will be:

1. gel base coat

2. gel top coat (I’m using no wipe top coat. So if you don't have a no wipe top coat, then you will be doing different things when you put your top coat on)

3. the gel color of your choice. (i'm using Midnight Rendezvous by Sensationail)

4. a LED/UV lamp.

5. nail polish remover/Q-tips.

Now one thing to keep in mind, is that it’s okay to get it on your skin, but be sure not to cure (dry) it, until all the polish is off of your skin. It wouldn't be too harmful if some was there, but it does kind of hurt. So just be extra cautious about that. And now, it’s time to paint!!

We’ll start with base coat. Begin by putting a very small amount around the center of your nail. Then slowly and carefully push it back into the cuticle area (try not to get it on your cuticles.) Once the entire bottom half of your nail has been completely covered in a thin layer of base coat, you are going to take you brush, and just glide it up the rest of your nail. You might have to glide it up a couple times, once in the middle, and once on either side of your nail, because sometimes it’s hard to get into the edges. But it must be done!

Once you are done applying, cure (dry) it for 30 seconds under a UV/LED light.

After you've done that on every finger, you’re going to put on your color!

And just like with the base coat, start in the center, push it to the back, and then glide it to the front. And one other thing that I said in my last post, don't worry if you get any on your skin. While you’re still applying the polish, just forget the rest of your finger is even there. Just cover the entire nail. And once that's done, then you can clean up around the edges. But with gel, (unlike regular polish) you should clean your skin before curing your nails. Otherwise it will be very difficult (and kind of painful.) Alright, once you've painted your nails in your desired colors, just cure it for 30 seconds

Then apply your second coat. I remember that when I started doing my nails, I hardly ever did a second coat, I thought it was just a big waste of time, but then one day I finally decided I’d give it a try, and it just gives you a MUCH richer color. And it makes it look a lot more professional. Okay, so once you've put on you second coat, give it another 30 second cure!

Now we have to put on top coat!

And, just like the other two, start in the middle work you way back, and then bring it forwards. And with the top coat, be sure to get absolutely everywhere on your nail. It will be visible where you missed. So be generous in how much you put on, because you can always clean up the skin around your nail.

And then cure it for 60-90 seconds.

And there you have it! Once you get the principles down, you can really just let your imagination go wild, you can do almost anything with your nails once you know the basics. So I encourage you to just be creative and have fun with it!

And in future posts I will show you how to do more intricate designs, but until then, just keep practicing, and having fun!

Bye-bye!!