How to paint with gel polish at home. Gel polish for beginners, all about shellac coating

First, it’s worth explaining what it is. Shellac, or in other words gel polish, is a durable coating (alternative) that will stay on the nails from 2 to 4-5 weeks. It is worth considering that the recommended wearing time is no more than three weeks.

At the moment, almost every salon performs. The quality of the coating depends on many factors:

Professionalism of the master.
Quality of materials.
Individuality of the organism.

In this article, we will not dwell on this in detail, but will go directly to the list of necessary materials for applying gel polish at home.

Necessary materials

The shopping list will be quite impressive. Therefore, if you decide to make gel polish yourself, first think about whether these costs will pay off for you. With a one-time application, you will have to spend a lot more money than on a one-time trip to the salon. If you want to master the procedure yourself, you should purchase the following materials:

2. Equipment

To clarify, let's look at each point separately.

Tools

Tools should be purchased from a professional store. In ordinary cheap stores, the tools are not sharpened; their blades are too thick and they can easily rip the cuticle into blood.

We recommend purchasing only certified manicure materials, for example, from us :)

List of required tools

Lint-free wipes.

Orange sticks.

Degreaser.

Sticky layer remover.

When purchasing liquids, it is best to purchase products from trusted companies. These include popular manufacturers such as Kodi Professional, Severina or Domix.

Bases, tops, primers and gel polishes

The title makes it clear what will be included in this section. However, for convenience, let’s consider the types of materials:

Bases. They come in rubber and biogels. For thin and weakened nails it is better to use biogel. It is a thicker and stronger material. Rubber bases are suitable for good nails. They are easier to work with and self-level better.

Tops. Tops can be thick and flowing, with or without a sticky layer. You should choose the consistency based on your own convenience. Tops with a sticky layer are used to secure designs, sliders, etc. A topcoat without a sticky layer is suitable for finishing coat.

Primers - strengthen the adhesion between the nail plate and the color coating, respectively. The average wear of gel polish increases.

Gel polishes. Gel polish is a colored coating. In order to choose the most suitable gel polish brand, you will have to try some of them. They differ in thickness, fluidity, color palette, etc.

Materials for designs

Materials for designs are not required to be purchased, but you will most likely quickly get tired of wearing a plain coating. To do this, you can purchase various little things that will brighten up your manicure and make it individual. Here are just some of the possible options:

Sliders.

Kamifubiki.

Ribbons.

Gel paints.

Every day there are more and more new things on the market, so it is not possible to list all available products.

An important piece of advice that can be given to novice craftsmen is not to use cheap Chinese materials. This is especially true for liquids that come into direct contact with the skin and nail plate. Chinese materials very often cause severe allergies and can cause serious harm to the body.

Applying gel polish at home

Having dealt with the shopping list in detail, you can proceed directly to the application procedure. It is worth noting that before the procedure you should under no circumstances apply cream to your hands, otherwise the coating will very quickly come off the nail plate. Shellac includes:

1. Preparation of the nail plate (manicure).

2. Application of materials.

When preparing the nail plate, it is important to follow each step, otherwise the coating will not last long.

First, let's look at the manicure process:

1. Clean the nail plate from the previous coating or varnish using.

2. Shape the free edge of the nail using a nail file. In simple terms, we file our nails to the desired shape.

3. Buff your nails. We go over the nail plate with a buff, erasing the gloss from the nail. Be careful not to file your nails.

4. Pull back the cuticles using a pusher or an orange stick.

5. For a classic manicure, soak your fingers in warm water for several minutes.

6. When performing a hardware manicure, we process the cuticles using a cutter. Carefully, at 10-15 thousand revolutions, we pass the cutter along the cuticle, moving it away from right to left, and then turning on reverse from left to right.

7. Remove the cuticle from each finger using scissors or nippers.

Gel polish application technique

We follow the instructions:

1. Degrease nails using liquid and a lint-free cloth.

2. Apply a thin layer of primer to the entire surface of the nail plate and wait until it dries in the air (about 1 minute).

3. Apply a thin layer of base and dry in a uv-led lamp for 30-40 seconds.

4. Use the second layer of base to level the nail plate. For beginners this will be difficult to do, so you can simply apply a second layer of rubber base. Let's dry it.

5. Apply the color coating in two thin layers. Dry each layer in a lamp for 30 seconds.

6. If desired, we can make any design.

7. Cover the nails with a finishing coat (top without a sticky layer).

8. Carefully file the nail from below with a soft file, removing all excess.

Manicure with gel polish is ready. After the procedure, you should not tinker with hot water for a long time for two to three hours. Correction should be carried out when the coating becomes unpresentable or the nail grows too long. The most optimal time is three weeks.

Beautiful and well-groomed hands are the calling card of every woman. A neat manicure complements any look, and you can do it at home.
If you have all the necessary tools, then applying gel polish yourself will be easy. It is enough to prepare the nail plate, choose the appropriate design and learn how to care for your hands after the procedure.

Every beauty salon has masters who offer manicures using gel-based polishes. The peculiarity of this material is that it stays on the nails without chipping or cracking for at least two weeks. But you can purchase the necessary tools and perform the procedure at home. To process the nail plate and design you will need:

nail scissors;
pusher;
nail files;
wire cutters;
orange sticks;
primer, disinfectant and dehydrator;
base and top coat;
colored varnishes;
drying lamp;
milling cutter with attachments for hardware manicure;
design accessories;
lint-free wipes;
cuticle oil.

It is convenient to use nail scissors to trim the free edge of the nail in order to give them the desired shape. The pusher and orange sticks easily deal with the cuticle; you can trim it with cuticle cutters. The plate is polished with a buff and the keratin layer is removed.

After this treatment, the nails need to be degreased and strengthened. For cleaning, it is better not to use liquids to remove regular nail polish; dehydrators and disinfectants are suitable. The primer is applied for better adhesion of the nail surface to the colored coating. The base is used to level the plate and protect it from getting varnish into its structure. It provides adhesion to colored materials.

Using varnish you can perform a plain or colorful manicure.. For design, bouillons are used - small metal beads, rhinestones, gel paint, foil, stickers, patterned stripes, glitter, holographic or acrylic powder. The topcoat seals the color and protects it from chips and cracks, ensuring durability.

You can perform trimmed or hardware manicures at home. In the first case, the cuticle and nail plate are processed with scissors, a pusher and sticks. And in the second, a special device is used - a milling cutter. There are compact options in the form of handles that are easy to handle at home. More bulky ones are suitable for salons. With various attachments you can remove cuticles and rough skin and prepare your nails.

An important tool is a drying lamp. There are UV and LED tools. A device with a power of at least 36 watts is suitable for home use.

Application technology

Applying gel polish yourself is easy. You must follow the step-by-step instructions:

preparation of the nail plate;
applying the base;
use of colored shellac;
execution of design;
top coating;
removing the sticky layer.

First you need to remove the cuticle. To do this, you can make warm baths that will soften it. But you can’t keep your hands in water - your nails will absorb the liquid and become soft, which is why the polish won’t last long. It is better to push back the cuticle with a pusher or an orange stick, remove it with nippers, scissors or a router.

The “flame”, “cylinder” and “ball” attachments are suitable for this. First, the skin is carefully lifted and the pterygium is cleared from under it, and the side ridges are treated. The second attachment directly removes the cuticle. Baths should not be taken before using the router. It is easier to perform a manicure using hardware technology than using edged manicure.

After this, nail files are used to give the nails the desired shape. The plate is polished with a buff, moving in one direction. It is not recommended to use other tools for this. Use a brush to remove all small particles from the nails. Then you need to degrease them by wiping them with a cotton pad previously soaked in a special liquid.

For a better manicure, use a primer. It is better to purchase acid-free material, it is less aggressive. The manufacturer indicates on the packaging whether this layer needs to be dried in a lamp. After the primer you need to apply the base. It is used to level the nail plate, but cover it with a thin layer, sealing the ends. You need to dry it for no more than 1 minute.

Next, you can apply a color coating and complete the design. The first layer of varnish should be thin; for convenience, it is better to use a special thin brush. It is easy to distribute the material at the cuticle and on the sides. After drying, a second color layer is applied; it can be made thicker. It is also polymerized in a lamp and the design is made. Seal the manicure with a finishing coat. It must be applied correctly - to the entire surface of the nail and the end.

At the end of the procedure, remove the sticky layer with special lint-free wipes. It is also recommended to apply oil to the cuticles and side ridges to soften the skin after exposure to the lamp.

Possible mistakes

If a girl has not completed a manicure course, then she may have problems with how to apply shellac. Due to mistakes made, after just a few days the coating cracks or chips.

Unpleasant consequences arise due to various factors:

excessive moisture in nails;
poor cuticle treatment;
insufficient grinding of the plate;
lack of varnish and topcoat on the ends;
too thick layer of materials;
use of low-quality products.

You should not soak your nails in baths for a long time before removing the cuticle - they will be saturated with water and become soft. If you do not clean the pterygium, air will get under the varnish, causing the material to peel off in two to three days. A poorly polished plate will cause the gel to begin to chip.

The manicure will not be ideal even if the nails have not been well degreased. The ends must be carefully treated with primer or ultrabond and covered with base and top. A layer of varnish that is too thick will spread in the lamp when drying and will flood the sides and cuticles. For brittle nails, it is better to choose a strengthening gel, and you also need to level their plate with a base. It is advisable to use materials that need to be soaked rather than sawed off.

Single-phase coatings can harm nails; the best option is three-phase coatings. They practically do not peel off. The quality of materials must be high. Chinese varnishes are not the right choice. They are applied in the same way as expensive ones, but after a few days the coating will crack.

If your nails are thin, it is better to remove the length. The varnish makes them heavier, which is why they often break. When the plate is bent towards the finger, the long shape is also not recommended. It is important to monitor the position of your hand in the lamp. If you place it at an angle, the gel will flow onto the cuticles or skin. Fingers should lie flat; it is better to dry the big nail separately.

Do not mix varnish from different companies to create a unique shade.. It is better to perform a manicure with an ombre design or use material from one brand. You cannot rush during the procedure; each layer must dry for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, otherwise the varnish will not last long. There is no point in correcting overgrown polish; you need to remove it and do the manicure again.

Rules for handling nails

Some girls have problems with their polish due to the fact that they do not handle their nails correctly after the procedure. Any manicure requires some care and attention.

Regularly massage the cuticle and skin area around the nail with oils or moisturizing creams. Such care will have a positive effect on the condition of your hands and will prolong the wear of the gel polish. It is better to do all housework with rubber gloves. Prolonged contact with hot water, chemicals and products with strong colored pigment negatively affects the coating. This is especially true for light shades of varnish and matte topcoats. Lint-free wipes and alcohol will help clean your nails from dirt.

Do not file or trim the plate together with the coating. It's better to remove it and adjust the shape. If your nails begin to curl, you will have to reduce the length. Even strong plates need rest, so after every 3-4 designs you need to leave them unpainted for one to two weeks. During this period, you can arrange a course of paraffin therapy, spa treatment and moisturize your hands.

There are also several prohibitions regarding gel polish. It is recommended to limit contact of nails with aggressive household chemicals. Solvents, liquids containing acetone, and detergents corrode the coating, reduce shine and make it cloudy. You need to treat your manicure with care. Do not use your nails as a bottle opener, toothpicks or scrapers. The plates remain elastic even under varnish and are easily damaged.

It is not recommended to sunbathe for a long time under the sun's rays. The varnish underneath quickly fades and becomes dull. If acrylic can be adjusted pointwise, then this material cannot be added to the nails. Two weeks after the procedure, you need to change the design, instead of painting over the overgrown areas and sanding the varnish.

If the nails are so short that their edges do not extend beyond the fingers, then it is better to refuse to use the material. The fact is that the ends of the plate will constantly get dirty in the fat that the skin secretes.

Because of this, the manicure looks sloppy and quickly deteriorates. It is better to wait until the nails have grown a little and perform the procedure.

Removing gel polish

There are two ways to remove gel polish at home - soaking and using a machine. In the first case, you will need a special liquid to remove the material. A regular product containing acetone does not cope well with this task.

Cotton pads are cut into four parts and soaked in liquid. Apply the wet pieces to the nails and wrap the top with cooking foil. Special caps are sold in stores that can be put on your fingers. In this state, you need to leave the plates for about 20-30 minutes, during which time the gel polish will become soft. Then you need to remove the foil and remove the cotton pads. Most of the material will go with them; the remainder is removed with orange sticks and a sanding file.

Using a router to remove varnish is faster and more convenient. You will need special attachments - “cylinder” or “corn”. It is better to choose ceramic tools, they are less harmful to the nail plate. The device is turned on at 25-30 thousand revolutions, the coating is removed with quick but careful movements. The nozzle is guided from the cuticle to the free edge of the nail. First, one side of the plate is processed in the forward direction, then the milling cutter is switched to reverse and the second half is cleaned.

You cannot put pressure on the nail; the tool should only touch the top layers of the coating. The base remains intact and is removed with a file. Very carefully you need to treat areas near the cuticle and side ridges. You can also remove the length using the device.

Gel polish allows you to create a beautiful, long-lasting manicure at home. After practicing on themselves, girls can apply it to their friends and relatives. With proper care and handling, the coating will last 2-3 weeks without chipping or cracking.

Nowadays, getting a stylish manicure at home is not difficult. The stores offer a large assortment of special devices for performing manicures: varnishes, gel coatings, stencils, etc. Until recently, home manicures were distinguished by their fragility, the reason for this was the weak durability of the varnish. But now everything has changed, it has become publicly available gel polish or shellac. The main feature of this material is that it stays on the nails for more than two weeks.

What is gel polish coating in manicure?

The procedure for performing a manicure using gel polish is offered in almost every beauty salon. There are also a huge number of manicurists working at home. Recently, many girls began to buy all the necessary equipment to perform a manicure using a gel coating and, accordingly, do it at home. But nevertheless, when all the necessary materials have already been purchased, the question arises: “How to do a manicure?” We will answer this question by talking in detail about the technology for properly applying gel polish at home. Before you start creating a manicure, you need to understand what coating your nails with gel polish (shellac) is. The gel polish itself is a porous polymer that allows air to pass through. It has a number of advantages:

Lasts up to 4 weeks, which saves time on manicure, because even the best varnish does not last more than 5 days.
Does not require any special skills, application is quite simple.
Variety of color options. Every girl can choose a gel according to her mood.
Gel polish perfectly levels the surface of the nail plate.
Does not spoil the structure of the nail itself.

However, this manicure also has its drawbacks, which generally do not spoil the overall picture of its advantages. For example:

The procedure is expensive, especially if you get a manicure in a salon from a good specialist. Applying gel polish yourself at home also requires expenses for tools and materials (UV lamp, special acetone-containing liquids, etc.)
Wearing a manicure using shellac for a long time is harmful. Therefore, after 4-5 times of application, nails must be given time to rest and recover.
Difficulty in removing gel polish. Regular nail polish remover will not work for this. It is necessary to use only acetone-containing liquids and spend a sufficient amount of time on the procedure for removing the gel.

What is needed to create a manicure

To make a durable, high-quality shellac manicure, you need to have a certain set of tools and materials. Before covering your nails with shellac, they must be well treated; for this you will need the following tools:

. They are used to process the free edge of nails and give them the required shape.
. Necessary for getting rid of overgrown skin at the base of the nails.
. It is used for polishing the surface of the nail plate, as well as for removing the keratin layer.
. Used to align the free edge of the nail plate.
. Used to remove excess cuticle.
. With their help, you can easily lift and push back the cuticle.

After treating your nails with the above set of tools, you will need the following materials directly to perform a manicure: bonds, (acidic, acid-free), dehydrators. All these products are necessary to degrease and remove excess moisture from the nail plate. In addition, these products provide better adhesion of the nail to the gel coating.

. Used to disinfect nails and prevent the occurrence of various fungal diseases.
. Designed to level the surface of the nail plate, protect against penetration of gel polish into the nail structure, and provide good adhesion to artificial materials.
. Used directly to create colored manicure.
. The finishing coat, used to secure the color coating, ensures the durability of the manicure, preventing it from damage and chips.

And the main important tool, without which it is impossible to create a high-quality manicure using shellac, is. Used for polymerization (drying) of the gel coating. The quality and power of such a lamp will determine how well the gel polish dries and, accordingly, the durability of your manicure. A 36-watt lamp is perfect for home use.

UV lamp for drying nails

How to do a manicure using gel polish

The technology for performing the work includes several points:

First you need to, to soften it, you can first use warm baths. Then you need to give your nails the desired shape, the one that the girl considers the most harmonious.
Stage 1 - Soften the cuticle
Then take a buff and polish the nail plate, carefully working around the base of the nail and at the edge. Remove excess particles under the nails. This procedure will subsequently help the gel polish to better “adhere” to the nail.
Stage 2 - Grinding the plate

Important! We do not treat natural nails with a file, even a finely abrasive one.
Wipe the surface of the nail plate with a cotton pad previously soaked in a degreaser.
Stage 3 - Degrease the nail surface
Applying the base (gel polish base). It is important not to overdo it with the quantity, that is, you need to cover the nail plate with a thin layer, paying special attention to the edges of the nail, which will ensure that the manicure remains presentable for a longer period of time. Then place your nails under a UV or LED lamp for 30–60 seconds.
Step 4 - Apply base coat to the nail

Important! By leaving the nail too long, you can create a fragile coating that will collapse after 2 days.
Applying gel polish of the desired color. The coating layer should be thin. If the gel gets on the cuticle, you need to use an orange stick to remove it. Having carefully distributed the material over the nail, the girl can place it under the lamp for 1–2 minutes.
Stage 5 - Apply the first thin layer of gel polish

It is important to know how to apply gel polish correctly. Apply as shown in the picture. In the center, at the base of the nail, place a dot of polish, then, with a sharp but gentle movement, pull it to the free edge of the nail plate, and then run the brush along the sides of the nail in the same direction (from top to bottom). Next, carefully pass the brush along the free edge, sealing it (this will extend the life of the manicure). So, the nail is completely painted over.
Applying another layer of gel polish, but a little thicker. This will give the manicure greater saturation and make the color deeper. Then, similarly to the first layer, it must be polymerized under an ultraviolet lamp.
Stage 6 - Apply the second layer of gel polish
Using a top coat involves applying the product over the gel. Place your nails in the lamp for 40–60 seconds. Its main purpose is to create a protective layer, prevent chipping, in addition, the top makes the manicure glossy, neat, and more beautiful.
Stage 7 - Apply top coat
Repeating the action already done earlier: treating the nail with a degreasing liquid. It is performed in order to remove the sticky layer.
Step 8 - Remove the sticky layer with a cotton pad
At the end of the procedure, it is advisable to soften the skin at the base of the nail using cuticle oil.

Possible mistakes when applying gel polish

Covering nails with gel polish is famous for its strength and durability, in theory this is true if you know all the intricacies of applying gel polish. However, in practice, due to lack of knowledge in this area, girls doing manicures at home make a number of mistakes, which can subsequently shorten the life of the manicure and lead to cracks and chips of the coating. To avoid these unpleasant consequences, we will tell you about the mistakes that should not be made when applying shellac:

Before treating the cuticles, some masters soak their nails using a bath, so, it is important not to overdo it, otherwise this can lead to excessive moisture in the nail plate, and you will have to resort to the help of a dehydrator.
If you do not properly treat the cuticle and do not thoroughly clean the nail from the pterygium, then air can get under the gel polish, which will subsequently lead to peeling of the artificial coating.
If you do not sand the nail plate well enough before applying shellac, especially in the cuticle area and free edge, this can also lead to premature peeling of the polish.
Insufficient degreasing of the nail plate using special means also shortens the life of the manicure.
Neglect of treating the end and sides of the nail with special products (primer, ultrabond) that ensure good adhesion of the gel coating to the nail plate.
Applying too thick a layer of gel polish. Each layer should be thin to avoid insufficient drying.
It is also important to seal the cut (end) of the nail with each subsequent layer. This way the manicure will last longer.
If your nails are thin and often break, then it is better not to neglect the use of strengthening gel and leveling the nail plate with a base. It is better to use a soluble gel to avoid cutting off when removing the manicure.
It is very important to take seriously the choice of products such as base and top, because they are responsible for the quality of your manicure and ensure its durability. Under no circumstances should you skimp on these materials.
The use of single-phase coatings is also undesirable. Use three-phase gel polishes, then it will be much easier to avoid premature peeling and chipping.
Avoid using gel polishes, which can only be removed by filing. This procedure can often result in damage to the nail plate. Use coatings that require soaking.

If you follow these simple rules for applying shellac, you will be able to please yourself and those around you with your beautiful nails much longer.

Is it possible to remove gel nail polish at home?

Nails coated with gel polish do not require any specific care or maintenance rules. However, getting rid of an “overgrown” manicure is more difficult than getting rid of regular polish. You need to purchase gel polish remover (Shellac) from a specialized cosmetic store.

Removing gel polish from nails at home

So, they need to moisten cut cotton pads (Fig. 2), apply them to the nail plate and wrap each nail with foil so that the product does not evaporate (Fig. 3). After waiting about 20 minutes, remove the foil and cotton pads, the gel will come off with them (Fig. 4), its remnants can be removed using an orange stick and filing with a sanding file (Fig. 5).

You can read more about removing gel polish, including using a device, in the article:

Using gel polish for manicure is the most reasonable solution. In order for it to please you for a long time, you need to use rubber gloves during prolonged contact with water and household chemicals.

Video: Technique for applying gel polish at home

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Everyone knows what its main feature is - long-term wear. But not everyone knows how to get the most out of gel polish. That is why, when girls fall into the hands of an amateur master or start trying to cover their nails themselves, problems begin.

In order to save a little, or start making money on it themselves, girls began to leave their salon specialists en masse and try to carry out the procedure at home. In the best case, they go to one-day courses and learn a short course on “Coating nails with gel polish” for relatively little money. In the worst case, fashionistas try to reproduce the actions of the master from memory. Without understanding the essence of most of the actions of a manicurist, you can devalue one or another stage, not attach importance to it, or, simply, not notice the details. This is where mistakes begin.

You will need:

Is this remedy harmful?

There is an opinion that gel polish strengthens nails. This is not entirely true.

Indeed, the nails do not break under the gel and grow long. But this happens not because the product formula contains useful microelements and vitamins, but due to the dense multi-layer coating.

A regular monochromatic coating requires a minimum of 4 layers of preparations.

It is important to know that during pregnancy, lactation, or during exacerbation of certain diseases, problems may arise in wearing gel polish: chipping, “sliding,” cracking.

Sometimes, in such cases, the coating is easily removed from the nail with a film, without much effort. It’s worth repeating the attempts several times over time, trying to apply gel polish from another specialist, experimenting with brands. If the result does not change, it is better for you to abandon the idea and come to terms with the fact that this method of decorative coating is not suitable for you due to the individual characteristics of your body.

Things to consider

The price of such a manicure varies and can differ significantly in salons of different classes. In any case, the cost is several times cheaper if you produce it yourself.

Inconveniences that may arise if you plan to cover it yourself:

It is inconvenient to perform the procedure yourself.
A lot of time is spent: while one hand is drying in the lamp, we cannot do anything with the other and just wait. And if we dry one nail at a time separately, it will take quite a lot of time.
You immediately need to purchase materials for a decent amount.
Lack of novelty. Masters constantly take master classes, where they learn the latest trends in this industry and offer fashionable new items to clients;
You won't be able to relax and enjoy the procedure in the salon. It is also impossible to make claims. Now you are two in one: both the master and the client.
Most material will go past its expiration date before you use it. This is a sad fact.

Required Tools

So, if you decide to cover your nails with gel polish yourself (and remove it later), you will need:

Lamp with ultraviolet light;
set of coatings: colored gel polish, base coat, top coat;
degreaser;
lint-free wipes;
several nail files;
brush;
cotton pads;
alcohol;
cuticle oil;
acetone/removal agent;
foil/special caps for fingers.

This list includes only fixed assets and appliances. There are many auxiliary fluids that are used in specific individual cases. Don't be shy about asking sellers for advice. Thus, especially brittle or bending nails require additional liquids to be applied to the nail. They provide rigidity to the nail plate.

The best manufacturing companies

Today there are dozens of competing companies. The most famous to the general public are: “Kodi”, “Creator”, “Naomi”, “Harmony”, “Fox”, “My nail”, “Le vole”, “Yre”, “Shellac”.

The most convenient to use, practical to wear and rich in color options is the American-made CND gel polish. Shellac."

His name was the first to resound loudly in the CIS countries and for many became synonymous with the concept of “gel polish”. Due to the high cost, not all masters could afford it. There are many options that differ significantly in price. It was then that this procedure began to gain momentum in the salon business.

There are really many analogues. There are very worthy competitors. But, nevertheless, in some ways each of them is inferior. And, if you ask any nail technician what material he would prefer to work on, his answer, of course, will be “Shellac”.

Application rules

Thorough hygienic manicure. It is necessary to remove irregularities and excess formations on the surface of the nail plate. If we make mistakes at this stage, all further work will not bring us the desired result. If you find it difficult to complete this step, go to the master.
We remove the top layer of the nail plate with a file of the most gentle abrasiveness. You just need to remove the “gloss” of the nail. There is no need to be afraid of damaging your nail; if you do everything correctly, it is completely harmless.
We thoroughly brush away all the smallest specks of dust after sawdust. You can wipe your nails with a lint-free cloth moistened with alcohol. Then we apply a degreasing and dehydrating agent (bonder/primer). There are many varieties of them, each brand offers its own version. A sales consultant will help you make the right choice.
Apply the first layer. This will be the base coat, that's what it's called. It is a transparent viscous substance. It must be applied in a thin layer. We place the brush just under the cuticle and the sides of the nail.
Cover with a colored layer. Everything happens exactly like the previous stage. But, colored gel has a more liquid consistency, you need to take this into account and control the drop on the brush. Distribute the layer evenly.
Two things depend on how liquid and rich in color pigment a particular varnish is.
First: how many layers to apply?
Second: cover all the nails of one hand at once or one or two at a time. If we see that the varnish spreads quickly and is difficult to control, apply it to one nail at a time and send it to dry in a lamp for 2 minutes.
If the color is very translucent, be prepared that you may need to coat the color not 2, as in most cases, but 3 times.
We fix the color with a top coat. This is also a transparent substance. The consistency is more similar to colored gel polishes. It will protect your color layer from environmental influences and give an amazing shine. Only after this stage does the color truly reveal itself and begin to play and shimmer in the sun.
Remove the sticky layer. To do this, just wipe your nails with alcohol using a napkin.
Rub in nourishing oil. At the same time, the cuticle skin is saturated with useful elements, and the coating begins to shine even more.

How to use it sparingly

Buy bottles of small packaging and with a maximum shelf life. The big ones will disappear, you won’t have time to use them.
Do not leave open bottles in direct sunlight. UV light will begin to dry the substance, as a result of which the gel polish will lose its uniformity and lumps and plates will appear. You can safely throw it away.
Change the bulbs of your dryer lamp periodically. Masters with a large flow of clients do this once every six months. Well, you can do this once every year and a half.
Avoid getting debris into bottles and brushes. Cover exposed materials, carefully remove dust after washing, and wipe the necks of gel bottles.
Don't skimp on lint-free wipes. If the brush “collects” lint and hairs, you will never be able to catch them from the bottle.
It is very economical and much more convenient to apply all types of coating used in the procedure using special flat brushes. Each type has its own brush. They are washed in a special liquid after each use.
Pour the products used in small drops onto the palette. The bottles can be tightly closed and completely eliminate any adverse effects on the products.

Secrets of long-term wearing

Under no circumstances should we touch the skin when applying layers. If this happens, wipe everything off with a lint-free cloth and do the procedure again. If this is not done, then the next day the gel polish will begin to lag behind the skin and pull the entire layer with it. The skin constantly produces water and oil, which will repel the coating.
We massage the hands using cream only at the very end, when all the layers have dried in the lamp. In a classic manicure, this stage precedes the coating of the nail with color. After the massage, the nails are simply wiped with alcohol and varnish is applied.

It is very important to “seal” the free edge of the nail. That is, when the plate is already evenly covered with any of the layers, run the brush along the tip before sending it into the lamp.

After the procedure, it is advisable not to wet your hands for 2 hours. During this time, all layers achieve maximum adhesion to each other.
Protect your nails from strong impacts. If they are long enough, you can not only damage the integrity of the coating, but also break the nail itself.

Do not file a nail covered with gel polish. This way the layers become open to air, moisture and other influences. The integrity is broken and detachments begin.

We do not use abrasives or aggressive detergents without gloves.
We make the correction on time. Gel polish wear lasts 2-5 weeks, individually. During this time, the nail grows significantly. This type of nails does not bring aesthetic pleasure. Our goal was to maintain a beautiful manicure. In addition, girls whose nails break when they reach a certain length have a chance to simply break their nails without waiting for correction.
Correctly and carefully remove the coating during correction.

If during correction you notice a yellowish tint to the nail plate, you should take a break (breath) between coats. Over the course of a month, regularly rub in healthy oils and make homemade “sea water” baths.

If your nails under gel polish still look quite presentable, but the only thing that bothers you is the lack of their previous shine, you can wipe your nails with alcohol, a degreaser, dry them in a lamp and apply a base coat.

A revolutionary invention - gel polish - has changed the world of beauty forever. Just 10 years ago, the female half of humanity had no idea that a manicure could retain its original appearance for a month, but everything changed with the invention of gel polish. Previously, nail correction had to be done approximately once every 4-5 days; the polish did not always lie smoothly and could peel and peel. But with the advent of gel polish, everything has changed; a woman gets a flawless and lasting manicure at an affordable price. Gel polishes are used by ladies of all ages, professionals in beauty salons and ordinary women at home.

Learning how to make gel polish yourself is not at all difficult, you just need to purchase special materials and tools, and you will also need a little patience. In this article we will talk in detail about how to make a high-quality manicure with gel polish at home.

Materials and tools for performing gel polish manicure

To make a high-quality coating of nails with gel polish, you need to prepare and purchase the following tools and materials:

Base;
Top or topcoat;
Nail plate degreaser or alcohol (boric acid);
Ultraviolet lamp;
Colored gel polish;
Pilaka buff;
Spatula, scissors, cuticle nippers;
Cuticle oil (almond, jojoba, castor);
Orange stick;
Primer;
Bondex;
Klister;
Cotton wool;
Foil;
Nail polish remover;
Lint-free wipes;
Decoration products.

A special bath will prepare your hands for a manicure

Step-by-step instructions for applying gel polish for beginners at home

First you need to prepare your hands and make a special warm bath to disinfect and soften the skin. If you add several components to it, the procedure will not only be pleasant, but also very useful for your nails. It is recommended to add a drop of shampoo, liquid soap or shower gel, 1 teaspoon of sea salt and lemon juice to a small container with warm water, mix all the ingredients and dip your fingers into the prepared solution.

After 15-20 minutes, rinse your hands with a brush and dry with a towel.

To soften the cuticle and make it easier to remove, you can make a bath based on any nourishing or medicinal oil, heated in a water bath, adding a few drops of vitamin E and lemon juice. We immerse our fingers in the prepared solution for about 10 minutes, after which we thoroughly wipe each finger with a paper towel and begin processing the cuticle after a couple of minutes.

The cuticle has softened and now you can easily push it back with an orange stick and begin to remove the dead part and excess skin around the nail plate, but do not overdo it, because small cuts leave a sloppy appearance and also contribute to the possible introduction of infections into the nail bed. Before starting the procedure, you can treat your nails and skin with a disinfectant.

Nail preparation

In order for the gel polish to lay evenly and adhere well to the nails, it is important to prepare them correctly. Wipe the nail plate with alcohol and polish with a buff. Use a polishing block to carefully remove the keratin layer, making sure that the entire surface of the nail is treated. You need to apply the buff with the wide side to the nail plate; the direction of the cut when polishing is carried out along the nail plate and only in 2 directions: to the right and to the left. When the surface of the nails is prepared, apply sunscreen to the skin around the nail plate so that the ultraviolet radiation during drying the gel polish in the lamp does not dry out the skin.

Applying base coat

In order for the gel polish to adhere better to the nail plate, a special base is needed. Therefore, when purchasing a base coat, choose a quality product, because the quality of the coating and the durability of your manicure will depend on it. The base is applied in a thin layer to the surface of the nail, then dried in a UV lamp.

Interesting article on the topic:

Applying gel polish

Now you can apply any color gel polish to your liking. Gel polish is usually applied in 2-3 layers, and each layer should be as thin as possible, then the shellac will adhere perfectly. Excess gel polish from the skin around the nail can be easily removed with an orange stick.

Helpful advice! Before applying shellac, you can use regular Vaseline to create a protective barrier around the nail plate. You should carefully apply Vaseline to the cuticle and the skin around the nail, this helps coat the surface of the skin and prevents the varnish from penetrating into it.

After applying each layer, the nails are placed under a UV lamp to polymerize the varnish. If the color of the varnish is not saturated enough, you can repeat the procedure again. When the color coating has completely dried, you can begin the final stage - applying the top coat.

Applying top

The final coat or top is the final stage in creating a manicure. The top is needed to secure all the coatings that have been applied to the nail. Using a topcoat can prolong the durability of a manicure, protect it from mechanical stress, and add brightness, richness and depth to the color. There are a lot of top options; manufacturers offer matte and glossy products with a characteristic shine, with or without a sticky layer.

The top is applied in a thin and even layer only to the material; after the color has completely dried, the coating is evenly distributed over the entire nail plate, including the end part, to seal it.

After applying the final coating, it must be dried under a UV lamp for approximately 2 minutes. If you have a top coat with a sticky layer, then after polymerization you need to remove it with a cleaner or alcohol. After that, all that remains is to rub in a special oil to moisturize and strengthen the cuticle and enjoy a flawless manicure.

As you can see, making gel polish at home is easier than it seems, and you shouldn’t be afraid of it.

Composition of gel polish

Gel polish has a polymer structure, it is quite durable and beautiful. The chemical composition of gel polish includes the following components:

Film former;
Photoinitiator;
Methacrylates;
Pigments;
Silica;
Thinner and other decorative fillers.

Film former as part of gel polish, it ensures the strength and elasticity of the material by forming a hard film on the surface of the nail plate when exposed to ultraviolet radiation from a UV lamp. Thanks to this component, the gel polish does not deteriorate and is highly resistant even when in contact with active substances in household chemicals and other substances.

Photoinitiator reacts to ultraviolet radiation and promotes polymerization. The amount of this component affects the drying time, and the more of it in the gel polish, the faster the nail polish hardens.

Methacrylates create the desired consistency of gel polish. Silica prevents the appearance of pigment sediment at the bottom of the jar. Pigments determine the final color of the gel polish and its density. To obtain a variety of shades and new colors, shellacs can be mixed with each other. When creating a high-quality manicure, when mixing, it is better to use gel polishes from the same manufacturer.

Other chemical components— additives and various fillers may differ slightly from one manufacturer to another, because they also affect the quality of the final product, giving the coating its sophistication and individuality.

Removing gel polish

Gel polish can be removed in 2 ways:

by softening it with a solvent or dissolving it with a liquid;
cutting off the gel coating using cutters.

The first way to remove gel polish . To remove gel polish, you can buy a special liquid (remover), which can be either without acetone or containing acetone. You can use a classic nail polish remover containing acetone. Vodka or alcohol diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio is also suitable. It is necessary to cut the cotton pads into small pieces so that they cover the entire nail, soak them in solvent and fix the pad on each finger using foil, medical tape, or use special clips and caps. Now you need to wait about 10-15 minutes until the gel polish dissolves. Next, using an orange stick or pusher, try to remove the softened old coating in the direction of nail growth. Remove the remaining gel polish with a soft buff, take a bath, treat your nails and start a new manicure.

The second method of removing gel polish: Involves filing off gel polish devices and a cutter. Cutting off the coating with a device is a quick and convenient way to remove gel polish. Modern masters recommend removing gel polish using a machine - this method is safe and non-traumatic, even compared to classic filing, and especially with soaking the nail plate in an acetone solution.

You should be aware that filing of the coating is necessary to the base (it is easy to see by its characteristic glossy shine), so the cutter itself comes into contact only with the artificial material and cannot harm the nail plate. Beginners should choose a soft bit with a yellow belt. An experienced craftsman should choose the most suitable cutter for removing gel polish, ceramic with blue or, less commonly, green notches.

Which brand of gel polish is better to choose?

Now on store shelves there is a wide selection of gel polishes from different manufacturers and at very different prices. Which company is better to choose gel polish?

American and Canadian brands are considered the standard of quality: CND, Gelish, Kodi, Pnb, Luxio and others. The pioneer among them is still the company CND , and their legendary creation Shellac came to mean the entire family of gel varnishes (although this is not entirely fair, because shellac is a signature varnish CND ). Products of an American company CND can be classified as a premium class for its impeccable quality, innovative formulas, compositions that are harmless to nails, and the most current and fashionable shades. The only drawback is the high price, approximately 1000 rubles per bottle.
European manufacturers of gel polishes are less popular, although in terms of quality and other characteristics they are not inferior to products from the USA, for example, the German brand OPI and Grattol or the French brand Beautix also won the love of the masters. Simple and comfortable application, non-allergenic composition, pleasant smell, rich, highly pigmented colors and a varied palette. The price of gel polishes is approximately 800 rubles per bottle.
Gel polishes of the Canadian brand Akzentz Luxio They are distinguished by a win-win palette of elegant shades, increased durability, complete absence of odor and non-allergenic composition. Gel polish is easy to apply, and the drying time takes only 30 seconds, while the gel polish does not dry out or injure the nail plate. This is a 100% gel, so you need to apply it exactly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and use a powerful UV lamp, and the gel can only be removed with a device. Price: approximately 1200 rubles per bottle.
Korean and Japanese products have gained particular popularity: brands Masura, Haruyama, Uskusi , which have high quality gel polishes, but at an affordable price.
Chinese products: Cristina, Bluesky, Canni always popular. Of course, they are not so easy to use and have a pungent smell, but despite this, they look and wear no worse than their other colleagues. An affordable price, from about 100 rubles per bottle, and even lower, makes the Chinese product in demand, especially for nail salons and home use. You can buy inexpensive gel polishes on the official website: AliExpress, where there is free fast delivery.
Gel polishes from Russian manufacturers: Bohemia, Dona Verdona, Aurelia, RuNail, Klio Professional, E.Mi and others They are just beginning to conquer the market, but reviews about them are mostly positive due to their good quality. Gel polishes are very durable, do not chip and do not become cloudy over time. Thick, manageable consistency, quite economical, some shades are applied in 1 layer, there is a large selection of different colors. Price from 350-600 rubles per bottle.

You can buy gel polishes at an excellent price/quality ratio in the following online stores

Official website OZON
Official site AliExpress

How to choose a UV lamp for drying gel polish at home

When choosing a UV lamp for home use, you need to know what it is for and how much you are willing to spend on this purchase.

There are different types of UV lamps for manicure

UV lamps are:

By size: you can dry one or two hands at the same time.
By type: LED and fluorescent.
According to the ignition circuit.
By power: the power of the lamp determines the drying time of the gel polish; the higher it is, the faster the polymerization of the coating occurs.

For home use, a UV lamp with a power of 9 W to 54 W is suitable. Lamps of different wattages contain different numbers of bulbs. For example, in a 36 W lamp there are 4 light bulbs, in a 54 W lamp there are as many as 9 light bulbs. Remember that drying the varnish in a UV lamp is necessary after applying each layer. The lamp has a power of 36 W - it takes 30 seconds to dry the base, and 2 minutes to dry the color and topcoat.

The higher the power of the UV lamp, the shorter the drying time, and, conversely, with low power, the polymerization time of the coating increases.

Rating of the best lamps for drying gel polish

To choose a quality product, experts recommend purchasing a UV lamp from trusted manufacturers.

After studying a huge range of offers, we chose 7 devices that differ from analogues in their increased quality and better performance.

TNL Professional;
Planet Nails;
Runail 36 W 818;
Kodi LED 9W;
Kosmekka LED NL-003 9W;
Sun 9S UV/LED 24W;
Nova CCFL/LED 48W.

You can order and buy a UV lamp costing from 400 rubles

A UV lamp costing from 110 rubles is available on the website Aliexpress

Why is it necessary to apply a base?

The base coat is the basis of any manicure using gel polish.

Main functions of the base coat:

Nail protection;
Alignment;
Strengthening the adhesion of the subsequent layer to the nail plate;
Protection and strengthening of the nail from the chemical components of the varnish.

If you do not apply a base coat under gel polish, even the most expensive and high-quality shellac will lie unevenly on the surface of the nail and will peel off. The base is an indispensable material for high-quality manicure; any gel polish requires the mandatory application of a base coat.

Why is it necessary to apply topcoat?

The top coat is the final stage in creating a manicure. It protects the color coating and gives the manicure a glossy shine.

Main functions of the top coating:

Alignment;
Drying;
Protection and preservation of coating color;
Strengthening.
Shine and volume.

The top coat must be applied in a thin and even layer, so you should take the exact amount of product onto the brush that is necessary to treat one nail.

The top coating is available in several types, each of which, in addition to durability, can provide special effects, for example, additional decoration in the form of sparkles. Topcoats also make nails super shiny, matte or give a sandy texture.

Applying gel polish has its own characteristics

Secrets of smooth application of gel polish

Most gel polishes have a sticky structure, so it is not always possible to apply them evenly to the nail plate.

Manicurists share some secrets for smooth application of gel polish:

Each layer must be applied evenly, being careful not to touch the cuticle and sealing the edge.
For your first manicure, choose a clear, nude or pastel shade and apply it in one layer. You should switch to bright shades when your hand has already trained, since carelessly applied gel polish can ruin the entire manicure.
Choose good materials from trusted manufacturers. Poor quality material will never make a flawless manicure; bubbles, unevenness, and chips may appear.

We have selected several online stores for you where you can buy everything you need for a gel polish manicure at home.

— the largest range of attachments from well-known world manufacturers for hardware manicure and pedicure in Russia and Europe. Including diamond, carbide, steel, corundum, sand, felt, silicone.
— more than 20,000 products for Nail and Hair care. The assortment is selected carefully. Large warehouse program, excellent quality and 100% availability.
I'll take it is an online store that offers products from different stores. Bonuses, promotions and discounts, sometimes goods can be purchased much cheaper than from competitors.
Aliexpress— an online store that provides the opportunity to buy goods from manufacturers from China at low prices.

In them you will find a huge range of products for both beginners and professionals. Beginners should not go out and buy the most complete sets possible. To get started, it is enough to purchase a minimum selection of essential tools and materials. Subsequently, you can always supplement it with things that simplify the procedure, but are not necessary. The simplest kit for beginners includes: base, color and finish, means for removing the sticky layer and the gel varnish coating itself, degreaser and a lamp for drying the applied layers.

Primer, Bondex, Cleanser - what's the difference?

Perhaps a beginner who is doing gel polish for the first time is not familiar with these names.

Primer– is needed to prepare the nail plate for joining, but it itself does not take part in this process. It normalizes pH, degreases the nail and cannot be dried under a UV lamp.

Bondex– needed to connect the nail plate with gel polish. Prevents peeling of the nail plate and ensures the strength of the coating that is applied to the nail.

Klinser- a solution consisting of an alcohol base and some oils. Used at the final stage to remove the sticky layer from the surface of the nails. Klinser can be used instead of a primer, as it is an excellent antiseptic.

Experts advise buying products from the same brand to avoid chemical incompatibility of components and durability of the adhesion.

Features of applying shellac to extended nails

You can apply gel polish to extended nails, if you take some points into account. Applying gel polish to extended nails can make them look more voluminous, so all layers should be as thin as possible so that the manicure does not look too bulky. The procedure for covering extended nails is carried out according to the classic scheme of applying gel polish to the nail plate. The extended nail is also polished with a special file, degreased and a thin layer of base is applied. After this, it is dried in a UV lamp and a color coating is applied, dried again and a second color coating is applied, polymerized again, a top coat is applied, dried, and the sticky layer is removed.

Applying gel polish to extended nails at home is quite simple, but removing it is problematic. Shellac is the same gel as extended nails, so you can remove it. Keep this in mind if you decide to apply a coating to gel or acrylic nails.

A step-by-step guide will help you understand: how to make gel polish at home

Simple nail design with gel polish at home

We have already looked in detail at how to do a manicure with gel polish at home step by step. Of course, a simple monochromatic manicure in a fashionable color looks attractive. But in addition to a single-color coating, you can add small accents in the form of light drawings and patterns on the nails, which consist of simple lines, dots, curls, and this is a skill that any girl can do. To do this, you only need a few bottles of gel polish of different colors, 2-3 brushes, a little imagination and the desire to experiment.

Let's look at several simple and concise nail design options at home.

Gel polish drawing: hieroglyph

Drawing a hieroglyph on your nails is not difficult. Painting nails with hieroglyphs is suitable for girls who love the East, mysterious representatives of the fair sex. The background of the design should be chosen from red to white and transparent. After completing all stages of the main manicure, use a thin brush to apply the image onto the nail with strokes. Before applying a hieroglyph, carefully study its meaning. The most common characters used in the beauty industry are Chinese characters.

Classic French

Classic French gel polish

French is always in fashion; it looks neat, gentle on nails and traditionally remains a classic option for any occasion. French is suitable for women of any age, both a young girl and a business woman. A classic French manicure is not particularly difficult for an experienced master; you only need a brush. But if you are a beginner, you can use special strips and stencils. After the base color has dried, the next step is to draw the smile line using a brush. The stencil will help you create a perfectly straight smile line, which you can complement with patterns, rhinestones or sparkles, so you can easily make French gel polish at home.

Gradient

Gradient on nails with gel polish

The gradient is a very common and delicate pattern, representing a smooth transition between color shades. This type of coating appeared relatively recently, but is already very popular among fashionistas, and also looks good on any length of the nail plate. The gradient can be smooth (ombre) or clear, even geometric, consisting of identical stripes or shapes of different shades. It looks good to use different shades of the same color. The modern technique of applying gel polish - a gradient - gives a wide range of imagination, while you can combine not only solid shades, but also a wide variety of bright colors.

Beginners can start with simple drawings from simple dots circles or master a simple technique of painting on wet gel polish; you can use a stamping kit or stickers. To make more complex and naturalistic drawings, which are created with the smallest details with a brush and using volumetric modeling, it is quite difficult to do without experience.

Lunar manicure

Lunar nail art

The lunar type of manicure has already become popular. In this case, the entire nail plate is covered with varnish of one color, and the hole at the base of the nail is treated with varnish of a different color. To correctly choose the right color solutions for you, you need to take into account the features of other components of the image. Contrasting color combinations – for example, black and white – look quite advantageous. But you can also opt for more extravagant combinations - for example, black and red.

Matte manicure

Matte manicure with gel polish

This manicure looks very stylish and elegant. To create a matte finish, special varnishes are used that provide a perfectly smooth and beautiful finish. The matte finish looks great in dark colors - purple, black, burgundy and blue. You can choose a variety of colors - it all depends on the characteristics of your composition.

Cat eye manicure

"Cat-eye"

This type of varnish allows you to get a long-lasting manicure with a beautiful effect. The varnish used for this type of manicure contains tiny metal particles. It is possible to achieve an amazing pattern after painting under the influence of a special magnet. This results in an incredibly beautiful shine and voluminous three-dimensional patterns reminiscent of a precious stone.

Making a beautiful gel polish manicure yourself and creating an unusual design at home is not difficult, but even interesting. The main thing is to be patient, prepare the necessary materials and devices that are needed for a home monochromatic manicure or for creating nail art. After all, now you can admire a new manicure more than once a month, which will be flawless in a variety of incarnations.