Gel manicures have changed the world, and we are here for it. Gel nails are durable, seldom chip, and are easy to apply. Although gel nails are expensive to get regularly done in salons, investing in a reliable gel nail kit can save you a lot of money. Let me assure you, that you will not regret investing in a gel nail kit with UV light. But first, let’s understand what gel nails are.
What is a gel manicure?
In gel manicures, nails are plastic enhancements made of nail gel. To understand gel manicures better, let’s understand nail gel.
Nail gel is a liquid slimy formula derived from resin. It also contains monomer, which is used in acrylic nails. While the mixing of acrylic powder and monomer is done at the table, in gel nails, the products are mixed at the manufacturing company.
Benefits of Gel Nails:
- Long-lasting (usually last 2-3 weeks)
- Natural Look
- Protects natural nails
- Takes less time than acrylics
- Fewer equipment
Disadvantages of Gel Nails:
- Repeated use may cause skin damage due to UV
- Peeling of nail gel
- Cracking of gel nails
How often should you get your gel nails done?
While people can safely have gel nails every few weeks, dermatologists recommend keeping the nails bare for at least 1–2 weeks in between manicures. This helps to strengthen, repair, and rehydrate the nails.
Without further ado, let’s see how to do gel nails at home for the perfect DIY Gel Nail Manicure:
Tools Required:
- Gel Lamp (UV or LED lamp)
- Sunscreen (to protect skin from damage)
- Nail Polish Remover or Gel Polish Remover
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Cuticle Pusher (not compulsory)
- Base coat (Gel base coat)
- Top Coat (Gel top coat)
- Gel polish (high-quality gel polish)
- Brushes
- Hard Gel (optional)
Step 1: Nail Prep
Start with cleaning the nails off old nail paint or debris using acetone or gel polish remover. Then push the cuticles back, clip them, and file to get the desired shape. A nail buffer can be used to smoothen the nail surface. Check out our DIY guide to nail prep for detailed nail care tips.
Step 2: Sunscreen
Apply sunscreen on the hands to protect them from UV lamps. Alternatively, wearing UV gloves offers additional safety precautions.
Step 3: Base Coat
Apply a very thin layer of gel base coat evenly on your nails and cure it under the UV or LED lamp.
Step 4: Gel Polish
Now comes the fun part! Apply a thin layer of gel polish. Mind you, it should be very thin. The first layer will be sheer. Then cure it and apply more layers using the same process till it’s opaque. Cure it for 45–60 seconds under the UV lamp.
Step 5: Top Coat
Finally, apply the gel top coat and make it even with the brushes. If you have hard gel, apply it before the top coat with a thick brush. Cure it to finish.
There it is! Your perfect DIY gel manicure is so easy, cost-effective, and time-saving to achieve. Using the best gel nail kit ensures creative, healthier, and more resourceful results without frequent trips to a nail salon. Don’t forget to keep good ventilation for safety and maintain nail care between sessions to avoid potential skin damage.
