Gel polishes simplified the life of women, they began to go to the nail salon less often, but at the same time, their nails remained in order. However, the cost of applying such a coating cannot be called cheap. To save the budget, we suggest you consider the option of manicure with gel polish at home. We will consider step by step how to make a gel coating of nails on your own and what you need for this.
Starter kit for a manicure
If you are just starting to paint your nails yourself and still do not know whether you will do this constantly, it makes sense to buy a budget mini-kit:
Lamp. For gel polish choose LED-lamps. They can be of various capacities - from 9 to 36 watts. The most powerful is considered the most powerful. With it, gel polish polymerizes quickly and becomes more wearable;
Degreaser. Wet and greasy nail plate will quickly tear off the coating;
Base and top. The first is needed for alignment, it helps protect the plate from staining and ensures perfect application. Top coating completes the procedure, protects gel polish from chips and scratches;
Gel polish remover. It is often saved on it, preferring to quickly cut off the color layer with a nail file, but if you are interested in healthy nails, it is better to spend time on competent removal;
Gel polishes. Of the tools, for a manicure, you will need nail files, scissors, orange sticks. In general, everything you need for a preliminary manicure.
Set for shellac
For those who are already familiar and even maintain friendships with gel polish, an extended version of the set for a home manicure is offered, including items for decorating: stamping stencils, brushes, dots, sliders and stickers, rhinestones, marmalade for nails, powders for a mirror shine. The assortment is huge.
The step-by-step technique for applying gel polish
At home, a manicure with gel polish will not differ much from a salon. If the master already applied a gel coating to your nails, we suggest recalling how this is done.
We start with a manicure. Give the desired shape to the nails, process the cuticle, polish the plate with a buff file.
Wipe the nails with a degreaser using a napkin. If the remedy is not at hand, a normal nail polish remover or alcohol will do.
We apply the base. We take this step as efficiently as possible, without missing a single millimeter, without even forgetting about the inside of the nail. At the same time, we try not to overdo it - the layer should be thin. The base coat should be dried under the lamp for about two minutes.
Apply color varnish. The first layer should be thin, even if the coating seems uneven, transparent. When it comes into contact with the skin, gel polish is removed with a pointed orange stick. Dry the nails in the oven for about 5 minutes.
The second layer can be applied in a denser layer. Its task is to make the color bright, saturated. It is also dried for 5 minutes.
Optionally, you can decorate your nails with drawings, stickers or rhinestones. Then proceed to the final layer - the top. They are stained with a plate as if sealing a nail from the outer to the inner side. 2 minutes will be enough to dry the top coating.
Using a napkin dipped in a degreaser, remove the sticky layer. Done! Now treat the cuticle with oil and the pens with nourishing cream.
Experimenting with a nail design
If the monophonic coating seems boring to you, you can diversify it with the help of design. 50 photos of nail design with shellac will help to be inspired by creative manicure ideas.
To keep abreast of modern trends in nail decoration, we will talk about the main ones:
- drawings - the most popular design. It is carried out using a thin brush with multi-colored varnishes. It is convenient to make geometric round shapes with dots - a special tool designed for polka-dot design;
- stickers and sliders - the former differ from the latter in that they initially have an adhesive layer. Sliders are soaked in water, getting rid of paper, after which the film is transferred to the nail and sealed with the top;
- rhinestones - can be classic silver or colored;
- dust - a special coating that allows the gel polish to shine with various shades. Dust can decorate both one and all nails at once. It is applied with a fan brush;
- foil /- a great option when it comes to design in gold or silver. The foil can be placed in a chaotic manner or layout a specific pattern;
- stamping - printing on nails with a special plate. Stamping stencils are acquired by lovers of complex patterns.
The creation of a monophonic coating and complicated design, in fact, is easily amenable to a beginner. The application technique will be the same, with the exception of one nuance - the top is used not after the second layer of color, but after drawing, gluing rhinestones or sliders.
How to remove gel polish yourself
Gel varnish coatings are removed using a remover - remover fluid. At the same time, for some brands of varnish, cutting off the top layer will be required, otherwise, the product will not be able to soften the top. We moisten the cotton pads in liquid and apply to the nail, fixing the structure with foil or special nozzles. After 15-20 minutes, you can proceed directly to the removal - we pry off the softened coating with an orange stick. Try not to tear off gel polish, if you feel difficulty, it is better to help yourself with a nail file.
After all procedures, the nail is wiped with a degreaser and lightly buffed with irregularities.