Step-by-Step Guide To DIY Gel Manicures At Home
Have you ever wanted gorgeous, long-lasting, glowy gel manicures at home rather than taking a trip to a salon?
Well, you’re not alone. Pursuing the perfect nail has always been at the forefront of desirable results for the beauty and cosmetic space.
But going to the parlor is both time and monetarily devouring. Here’s where the charm of DIY gel manicures at home starts.
The gel manicure brings professional salon results home, giving you that coveted two weeks of perfect glossy polish to flaunt on those long summer evenings.
Whether you’ve become a seasoned pro or are a beginner, this post will walk you through each step to perfect your DIY gel manicure and leave you with nails that look fabulous.
Materials You’ll Need For DIY Gel Manicures
You will need several materials before performing a DIY gel manicure.
But there’s one downside to buying all these items one by one. It’ll take you a lot of time and money.
And so you can invest in a gel nail kit — a package with several tools for completing your DIY gel manicure at home.
It includes material like:
- PRO LED/UV nail lamp,
- Top coat,
- Base Coat,
- Three colors of Your Choice,
- Cleanser Wipes,
- Nail File, and
- Buffer
This product lets you achieve spa-like gel manicures and pedicures in your home.
Step-by-Step Guide To DIY Gel Manicures At Home
Step 1: Prepare Your Nails
It is imperative to prepare your nails as it determines how successfully your UV Gel polish will stick onto your nails and how long it’ll hold.
Here’s how to do it:
- Trim and shape your nails: A nail file can help you shape your nails to the desired length and design.
- Push back and remove cuticles: Remove overhanging skin with a cuticle stick.
- Remove old polish and oil: Use acetone with a swab or cotton pad to remove old polish or oil from the nail and finger.
After doing all these steps, you’ll have well-shaped, clean nails to move on to the next stage of your gel manicure.
Step 2: Prepare The Nail Surface
The second step in your DIY gel manicure is pre-treating the nail for improved gel adherence. This step is necessary as it provides an even surface for the gel nail polish to adhere to.
Here’s how to do it:
- Buff your nails: File them coarsely, then buff them with a buffer. The buffing process removes any ridges or humps from the nail surface that may cause inconsistencies in the gel polish.
- Brush your nails: Using a nail brush removes dust and grime after buffing. Clean and brushed fingernails will help ensure no debris gets trapped in the polished layers.
Once done with this, your nails will have a good finish, and you can proceed to your next step of the gel manicure.
Step 3: Apply The Gel Polish
Now comes the fun part: applying your gel polish.
Here’s how you can apply it:
- Pick one of the gel nail kit colors and shake the bottle before you open it.
- Use a thin, even gel base coat (to protect your nails from harsh chemicals) over all your nails except on the cuticles.
- Get nails cured with UV or LED lamps for their prescribed duration, typically around 30 to 60 seconds).
- Paint your picked nail shade with a thin and even coat over the base coat. Cure in the light bulb as long as necessary.
- If desired, do the second layer and cure it again.
This top coat will increase the opacity of the gel polish, covering any unevenness from the first coat.
Step 4: Apply the Gel Top Coat
This step provides a protective seal and gloss. It is also vital as it offers long-lasting, strong, and resilient nails to reduce the likelihood of breakage or chipping.
Here is how you can apply it:
- Top coat with a thin and uniform application of clear gel over the color coat.
- Then, brush the edges of your nails with the product. It will extend its lifetime and prevent cracking.
- Apply light treatment, either UV or LED, to fix your nails as per their suggested duration, and you’re free to go.
The light will cure the gel top coat, making it high gloss and toughen it up nicely.
Step 5: Finish and Maintain
Finish off by removing the stickiness around your nails after curing by using nail polish remover or alcohol wipes.
Both work well and leave no streaks in your design, which means less stick and more glow for your desired nail trend.
To do this, you can:
- Dab a drop of nail or cuticle oil onto each nail and massage it into your cuticles. It feeds the nutrients into the nail’s cuticle, giving it a lustrous appearance.
- Protect your nails from harsh substances and high temps to preserve your gel manicure. Wear gloves while performing house cleaning chores or garden work.
Conclusion
This DIY gel manicure guide makes applying gel nails at home easy and comfortable. With these tips, you can prevent common failures to create beautiful gel nails that will last you for two to three weeks. So, follow this guide and perform a gel manicure with ease.
