Gel Nails at Home

I have a hobby of picking up and trying different hobbies. I know sounds weird, but during my endless travel of looking for new hobbies to try, I found gel nails. It’s one hobby that’s kept my attention the longest. Its also the most cost effective one as I no longer have to spend money on going to nail salons. Gel nails can sound difficult, but don’t worry I’ve done the research and I will share my knowledge, so everyone can have magnificent nails too.

The materials needed for this are LED lamp, a nail buffer, nail file, cuticle oil, rubbing alcohol, base coat, top coat, and of course the most important gel polish colors. All of these items can be found on Amazon. As that’s where I bought my gel kit.

Step 1: Prepping the Nails

During the prepping step using the nail file shape the nails to a desire shape. That being almond, square, pointed. Any shape works! The prepping stage is very important as this can’t be done after applying the gel polish.

Step 2: Add Cuticle Oil

Next apply the cuticle oil on the cuticles to help push the nail bed back. Using the point of the nail file gently push the cuticles back. Then go ahead and wash away the cuticle oil as we don’t want to get any on the nails itself. The oil can cause the gel polish to lift.

Step 3: Clean Nails Using Nail Polish Remover

Use the nail buffer as nail buffing is used to smooth out the surface of the nail. As this helps the gel polish to apply easier without any blemishes and to make the polish last longer. Using the roughest part of the buffer gently buff the nail surface. Its important to make sure to not over buff as to not make the nail to thin. Buffing the nails can cause a lot of dust. Using the rubbing alcohol rub the nails clean from the dust. Afterword’s wash hands with warm water and dry using a towel.

Step 4: Apply Base Coat

Apply the base coat as this step helps keep the gel polish to stay on the nail. Make sure the base coat is evenly applied on the nail. If there are places the base coat isn’t applied the gel polish wont stick to it. Cure the base coat for 30 seconds using the LED lamp. Don’t worry if the base coat is sticky. It’s actually supposed to do that.

Step 5: Apply Gel Polish

This is my favorite step! Finally, it’s time to apply the gel polish. Using a thin layer of gel polish evenly apply it over the nail. Go ahead and apply it to all fingernails. Using the LED lamp cure for 30 seconds. If the gel polish ends up looking patchy do a second thin layer of gel polish. Cure the nails again for 30 seconds.

Step 6: Apply Top Coat

Apply a layer of the top coat over the gel nails. The top coat is what protects the gel manicure this is a necessary step to help the gel polish last longer. This is the last layer applied to the gel process. Make sure only a light layer of the top coat is used. Then go ahead and cure with the LED lamp for 30 seconds.

Step 7: Last

Lastly massage cuticle oil around the nails to help refresh them. Using the cuticle once in while helps help the nails healthy and helps the skin from drying. Especially during colder months its important to keep the nails hydrated!