Okay, so you wanna know how I do my gel nails at home? Buckle up, it’s a whole process, but totally worth it to save some $$ and have nails that last!
First things first, I prep. And I mean REALLY prep. I start by pushing back my cuticles – gotta get that skin outta the way. Then I lightly buff the surface of my nails. Not too hard, just enough to rough ’em up a bit so the gel has something to grip onto. After that, I use a dehydrator. This stuff is key, it removes any oils from your nail bed so the gel adheres properly. I skip this step sometimes when I’m lazy but I always regret it lol.
Next, base coat! I apply a thin layer and cure it under my UV lamp. Usually like 60 seconds, but check the instructions on your specific base coat. Don’t overload on the base coat or it will peel off. I’ve done that way too many times.
Now for the fun part: color! I usually do two coats of whatever color I’m feeling. Each coat gets cured under the lamp. Again, thin layers are important. Thick layers = wrinkly gel. Nobody wants wrinkly gel. Also, be sure to seal the edges! Wipe the brush along the tip of your nail to prevent chipping. This is a HUGE TIP!
Alright, color’s done. Now, top coat! Same deal as the base coat: thin layer, cure under the lamp. Some top coats require you to wipe them with alcohol afterwards to remove the sticky residue, so check your bottle. If it’s no-wipe then you are DONE!
Last but not least, hydration! Gel polish can be drying, so I always apply cuticle oil after I’m finished. Keeps my nails and skin looking healthy.
Pro Tip: Don’t get gel on your skin! If you do, wipe it off before you cure it. Otherwise, it’ll lift and peel. And that’s a recipe for disaster (and hangnails!).
Another Pro Tip: Invest in a good quality UV lamp. A cheap lamp might not cure the gel properly, leading to chipping and peeling. I learned that the hard way!
- Push back cuticles
- Buff nails
- Dehydrate
- Base Coat (cure)
- Color (2 coats, cure each)
- Top Coat (cure)
- Cuticle Oil
And that’s it! At-home gel nails. It takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, it’s so easy and satisfying. Plus, you get to pick whatever color you want, whenever you want! Good luck and have fun!
Dealing with Peeling?
Oh and I forgot! If you are having issues with peeling it’s probably one of these things:
- Not prepping well enough. Really scrub and dehydrate!
- Getting gel on your skin. Keep it clean!
- Your lamp isn’t strong enough or old. Replace the bulbs or get a new one.
- Using cheap gel. Some gels just don’t last!
