Beginners guide to gel manicure
Salons charge a bomb for nail care services like spas, manicures, nail extensions and nail art. But, what if we say that you can do these things at home without spending a bomb? Get ready for a nail care DIY!
Here is a step-by-step guide to a gel manicure:
Material needed:
A LED lamp
(this is a one-time investment, they are available in markets andon ecommerce sites); Gel polish Gel base coat
Gel top coat (some companies also offer a primer with the set) Steps:
1 Buff your nails and shape them — gel doesn't stick well on shiny nails or oily surfaces, hence this step is important.
2 Dust off after buffing and wipe the nails with an anti-septic wipe — these are easily available at pharmacies or online. They will take off the residue from your nails and protect your nails from infections.
3 Now, line up all the products that you need. Don’t crowd your workspace.
4 Start with the primer — if there’s one. If not, then the base coat. Take little on the brush, small quantity goes a long way. Work on one hand at a time. After applying the base coat, cure (dry) it with the help of a LED lamp. The curing time is generally mentioned on the product. If it isn’t, then a minute or so works if it’s a heavy-duty LED lamp (like 30W and above). For lesser watt lamps, curing time will be longer. Gel polish doesn’t dry off naturally like nail polish, hence a lamp is a must.
5 Now, it’s polish time! Pick the colour of your choice and repeat the above procedure.
6 Once the polish is done, apply the topcoat and repeat the LED lamp procedure.
7 To remove the polish, soak cotton in acetone and wrap it around your nails with a foil. There are also ready nail foils available
in the market for removing gel polish. Leave the foil on for 10-15 minutes. Once you take the foil off, the polish will be easily peelable.
8 YouTube to the rescue, if you need guided assistance!
(Note: Gel polishes don't come off with a nail polish remover, so you need acetone. There are also brands offering gel polishes that don't need to be cured using LED lamp, but those are normal polishes giving a gel-like effect. If you want your manicure to last long, then you need to go for an authentic gel polish.)