I’ve had gel nails for the past year, and I love them. It’s not cheap to get gel polish done once every two weeks, so I want them to last as long as possible. Here are my tips on how to get gel nails that last.
How to get long lasting gel nails
People are often confused about the difference between gel and acrylic nails. The truth is that it’s all a matter of chemistry, and there are a number of different types of each. Acrylics are usually done using an acrylic powder mixed with a liquid monomer to form a paste that is then applied to your nails. Gel nails are made with a gel polymer mixed with either powder or liquid monomer. They can be applied just like acrylics, but they can also be applied as a polish that is then cured under an LED lamp.
Gel nail products have improved significantly over the past few years and are now much stronger and more flexible than they used to be. But like any kind of enhancement, they must be properly cared for to look their best and last as long as possible. Here are some tips on how to get gel manicures that last longer:
1. Prep your nails
You will achieve the best results if you start with clean, dry nails that have been properly shaped. Most people like rounded tips, but you can choose whatever shape you prefer (squoval, square or oval). If you want them to look very natural, make sure there is no excess cuticle or dry skin around your nails before you
1. Push back your cuticles.
2. Apply a thin coat of base gel polish to your nails, avoiding the cuticle area and only applying it to the nail plate. This helps adhere the gel polish to your nail and protect your nail from discoloration.
3. Apply the first layer of colored gel polish and cure under LED light for 30 seconds or 1 minute in UV light (depending on the lamp).
4. Apply a second coat of colored gel polish, cure, and repeat until you have achieved desired coverage.
5. Seal in color with a high quality gel top coat, cure, and wipe nails clean with rubbing alcohol or nail cleanser to get rid of sticky residue on top of nails.
6. Enjoy your gel nails that last up to two weeks without chipping!
7. When you want to remove your gel polish: Dip cotton balls into acetone and place them on top of each nail, wrap each finger in aluminum foil, and let sit for 15-20 minutes before wiping off remaining gel polish with cotton ball soaked in acetone.
The latest nail trend is here to stay: gel powder nails. After the gel manicure, another innovation hit the market. Gel powder nails are a huge improvement over the traditional gel manicure. Gel powder nails not only last longer, but they also look more natural and feel stronger.
So what exactly are gel powder nails? Basically, you can think of it as an acrylic nail alternative. The main difference between them is that these are made using a brush-on hardening gel and then dipped in colored powder. The process is repeated until you get your desired thickness and length of your nails.
Convinced? Here are 7 tips on how to get gel powder nails:
1. Nails should be free of polish, natural oils, and debris.
2. Gently buff the nail surface to ensure good adhesion of the gel.
3. Apply a thin layer of Base Gel on the surface of each nail from cuticle to free edge and cap your free edge. Cure for 45 seconds in a 36 watt UV light or for 1 minute in an LED light.
4. Apply a thin layer of Pink Gel on the surface of each nail from cuticle to free edge and cap your free edge. Cure for 45 seconds in a 36 watt UV light or for 1 minute in an LED light.
5. Apply a thin layer of White Gel on the surface of each nail from cuticle to free edge and cap your free edge. Cure for 45 seconds in a 36 watt UV light or for 1 minute in an LED light.
6. Apply a thin layer of Top Gel over all five nails, capping the free edges with Top Gel as well. Cure for 45 seconds in a 36 watt UV light or for 1 minute in an LED light
7. Wipe the top surface with Gel Cleanser to remove uncured gel residue and increase gloss and smoothness of finished nails
1. Prep the nails