This DIY gel manicure video provides a step-by-step guide on how to create salon-quality gel nails at home. The first step involves prepping your natural nails with a clean bed free of oils and hand cream. The process includes nail preparation, cleaning, applying a base coat, gel curing, applying a second coat, and/or a moisturizer. If you have gel polish on, cut cotton pads into four pieces and soak each with acetone. Buff the tops of each nail, then cover them with acetone.
Next, soak the cotton pads for 15-20 minutes before buffing them. After soaking, apply two coats of your desired color and cure both in a lamp for 30 seconds. To get close to the cuticle, slightly “paste” the nail with acetone.
To prepare the nails, start with bare polish-free nails filed to your desired length, with any surface shininess removed. Clean your hands with warm soapy water, apply cuticle remover on your nail bed, file and shape your nails, and use a nail buffer. Gently buff the surface of the Gel X nails and clean the nails with an alcohol wipe like acetone or nail cleanser to remove dust.
In summary, this DIY gel manicure video provides a step-by-step guide on how to achieve salon-quality gel nails at home. By following these steps, you can create a flawless gel manicure that will leave everyone thinking you’re a professional.
📹 Gel Manicure at Home on Natural Nails | SECRET to long lasting polish
I share my trick on how to do a gel manicure at home on natural nails. This trick has allowed me to have long last manicures!
How do I do my own gel nails at home?
To create gel nails at home, follow these 8 easy steps: 1) Prep your nails, 2) Push your cuticles back, 3) Buff your nails, 4) Wipe your nails with rubbing alcohol, 5) Apply Gel Base Coat, 6) Apply Gel Polish, 7) Apply Gel Top Coat, 8) Apply cuticle oil. This DIY nail art is similar to salon-style work, but requires the right equipment and patience to learn. It’s an enjoyable and effective way to create your own gel nails.
Is UV gel nail bad for you?
Gel nail polish, despite its popularity for its quick drying time, long-lasting durability, and minimal chipping, can cause skin aging and DNA damage, potentially leading to cancer. The process of curing gel under a lamp can also cause DNA damage, which can be harmful. Dermatologist Chey Ranasinghe, MD, advises against using gel nail polish, as it can cause skin damage and DNA damage, potentially causing cancer. Therefore, it is essential to take proper precautions when using gel nail polish.
Is it cheaper to do your own gel nails?
The cost of a gel manicure at a salon can be considered cost-effective, with prices typically ranging from $30 to $80 per visit. An at-home gel nail kit is comparable in cost and requires less than half an hour to complete. To ensure a beautiful manicure, it is essential to maintain smooth and hydrated cuticles, as dry ones can cause unevenness and hinder the durability of the polish.
How to make UV light with phone?
In order to obscure the flash, it is recommended that a blue marker be used to paint over it. Once this has been done, it is advisable to place another piece of tape over the marker and then proceed to color it with a blue marker. Ultimately, the flash should be colored with a purple marker, which will complete the process.
Can you teach yourself gel nails?
Practice makes perfect, and you will not be perfect at doing gel nails at home. Be patient and let yourself learn by doing it many times. Your nails may peel quickly the first few times, but with the right tools and practice, you can become an at-home gel nail queen in no time. Check out these posts: How to Curl Long Hair Fast and Keep Hair Healthy, and My Favorite Skincare That has Changed My Skin. Remember, you are not cut out for this hobby, so be patient and dedicated to your gel nail journey.
Do gel nails weaken natural nails?
The notion that gel polish has a deleterious effect on the strength of the nail is erroneous. When applied and removed correctly, the use of gel polish should not result in damage or weakening of the nails. When cared for and maintained correctly, gel polish can be a long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing, and healthy option. It is recommended that an appointment be scheduled with a nail professional at the earliest convenience.
What can I use instead of UV light?
Gel nail polishes are popular for their quick drying time and long-lasting wear, but curing them with UV light can be harmful. Alternative methods to cure gel polish with less UV exposure include using a non-UV gel polish, applying a drying agent, or soaking nails in ice water. Some nail polish brands now offer non-UV gel polishes that can be used at home, and they are applied similarly to regular gel polish. When purchasing a gel polish, ensure it is labeled as non-UV, as it likely won’t cure without a light or lamp. Ensure the polish does not require a UV light or LED lamp to cure.
Is it safe to do your own gel nails at home?
DIY gel nail kits are safe under certain conditions. First, one needs patience for the nail prep, application, and removal processes, which can take hours. Rushing the job can lead to nail damage and allergies. Second, one must be able to paint the nails of their dominant hand with their non-dominant one. If unconfident, gel polish kits should be avoided. Traditional nail polish can be practiced until the technique is developed enough to avoid repeatedly hitting the skin around the nail.
Third, a reputable gel kit from a reputable provider is recommended. Irish brand 14 Day Mani offers a Signature Gel Starter Kit with a compatible lamp, while Mylee The Full Works Complete Gel Polish Kit is a recommended option.
Can you do gel nails at home without UV light?
Non-UV gel polishes are a popular category of at-home gel manicures that do not require UV light to dry. This feature contributes to their long-lasting quality, which is comparable to that of traditional UV gels. Select a color that aligns with your aesthetic preferences and prepare your nails by carefully reviewing the product label. Once a non-UV gel polish has been selected, it should be applied to the nails using the provided implements. This process will facilitate the creation of an aesthetically pleasing manicure, obviating the necessity for UV light.
Is a Russian manicure?
The Russian nail method is a popular manicure technique that involves meticulous cleaning and preparation of the nail beds to remove dead skin and imperfections. This dry process involves filing, cutting, and removing the cuticle with electric drill bits, ensuring a clean look and feel. The Russian manicure prevents dry cracking of cuticles or hangnails, extending the manicure’s longevity. When properly done, a Russian manicure or pedicure lasts around three weeks.
The process involves several steps, including removing existing nail polish, cleaning the skin surrounding the nails, and using Nail Cleanser Prep pads to wipe away dust and oils for a long-lasting, chip-free gel manicure. This method is ideal for those who desire a clean beauty aesthetic.
What equipment do you need to do your own gel nails?
The process of applying gel nails at home necessitates the use of specialized equipment and products. These include an LED or UV lamp, a nail file, a buffer, cuticle oil, orange wood sticks or stainless steel cuticle pushers, rubbing alcohol, cotton pads, and UV gloves. The process is analogous to that of a professional nail salon, but it necessitates the acquisition of the requisite equipment and a certain degree of patience to become proficient. While it is an enjoyable and effective method of creating nail art, it is important to note that it is only successful if done correctly.
📹 DIY Gel Nails! how to do gel nails at home
Use a nail file instead of a buffing block to remove shine, it will help your nails last longer by helping the gel adhere to your nail …
THE perfect tutorial I was looking for, I put on 1.75 speed and captions to condense the content. Removing overgrown cuticle and pushing or clipping the eponychium (nobody recommends the latter) can go awry easy so be super gentle anyone who is reading. I never understood putting oil on a surface that’s about to be bonded with polish, but your evaporator seems to have fixed that. Happy Nailing!
Great tutorial. As a nail tech two suggestions. First don’t use cuticle oil to push back your cuticles, use cuticle remover and buff your nails after. Second: Seal the free edge first and then polish your nails. That’s what we do in the salon and what I do at home. Your just doing it backwards. If you do the free edge first, you won’t have such a big bulky edge. Use cuticle oil at the very end of the manicure. Great job. I am extremely Impressed by your tutorial and how well you polish your nails. You so a great job. Also. Many people pay to have long nails like your natural nails. You have great nails.
My bestie spends 60$ every week to get nails done. I cant afford that. I dont work as I am on hopsice/palliative care and mostly on the couch. I do my own hair(color and streak)(my fiancée helps me). Even tho i am sick, i still like to look nice. I am grateful for all the info you have given me. I am going to see if you have a article for true beginners. One question? Can i use the gel polish for my toenails too?
Thanks for this! I just started the DIY nails journey and my first set didn’t last 😢 but your article has given me the confidence to try again! What times were you curing under the lamp for each step? I’m also thinking because of the shortness of my nails the capping was harder but I will give it another go! Thank you!!
Never use cuticle oil until the very end of the manicure. The most important part of doing a gel manicure that will last is that the nails need to be prepped properly as well as dry as possible. I’ve been a nail tech for 20 years and the best product to use to push your cuticles and remove all the pterygium (skin that sticks on your nail bed) is alcohol…..it allows softening of the cuticles so they can be pushed back and, it loosens the pterygium for removal and it aids in dehydrating the nail bed for better adhesion I know the oil was wiped off but to not use it at all would ensure the longevity of the gel manicure I hope these tips help ☺️ oh! Also, capping the free edge of the nail with the polish will seal the nail to help avoid any chipping ……good luck!
Thanks for sharing this super detailed article! I’m tired of paying all that money and never leave nail salon happy! Either too thick or too thin. I’m ordering a kit on Amazon ASAP and will follow your tips! This is a way to pamper myself on a Sunday without the huge price tag. I love to paint my nails, but also so doing dishes which is why I started doing gel, because it lasts longer. But I’m excited to start saving money. Thanks for sharing w all of us. 🌺🤗
I love this article and thank you so much! I was a person that got my nails did every two weeks faithfully but my nails start to have an indenture so I stop getting them done. I have bought the stuff to do poly gel nails and gel nails. I will try your technique and let you know how well I did . Thanks again!
My gel nail polish usually doesn’t last after the first 2 days especially after doing house work. I did house work the day after using your tutorial to apply my gel and it hasn’t lifted yet. It has started peeling at the edges but it’s rather small compared to the method I used to do. I guess with practice the gel will last longer and I’ll be able to correct my technique ❤ Thank you ❤
Pro tip: before you start everything, get the color and shake it for a good 20-30 seconds to make sure its thoroughly mixed. And then by the time you are ready to polish all the air bubbles have risen to the top. I thought you did a really good job explaining the steps. But in the future… Shellac is a BRAND, not the product. Gel polish is what you’re applying. Shellac was the very first brand of gel polish invented back in 2010 by CND (creative nail design)
Maaaaan thank you so much for this! I’ve been a serious nail biter my entire life and nail extensions have been the only thing that’s stopped me from biting, whenever my nails finally grow out and I think I’m ready to have natural nails, I do a terrible job painting them with gel and end up going back to biting. This is the first time in my life I’ve ever successfully painted them!! You’ve helped me become x1000 more confident to show off my hands thank you!!
At the end of this article, you said your gold stickers went dull after next day. I use a lot of water decals and stickers on my natural nails but get fed up of the design after a week. So I don’t have to keep changing my gel manicure every week, I do the colour and finnish with the gel topcoat and remove sticky layer if it has one. I then put my stickers on or do water decals on nails, but use an ordinary clear nail polish to finnish off. That way when you are fed up with design you simply remove with acetone and it doesn’t your gel manicure. Hope this helps people.
I’m definitely going to invest in these products. I literally just paid $30.40 for everything you just did at home (which I find to be quite expensive for polish with out fake nails added . Including the fact that the salon work only lasts about a week give or take a couple days. I believe I can do this myself and save money.
First, I’m so thankful I found you! I tried a home gel nail kit two years ago, and a few of my nails started peeling after two days. Now that I’ve watched this article, I’m ready to try again. Great tips, too. Second, bless you for answering every comment (at least what I read). Subscribed already and looking forward to more of your articles! ❤
i love gel nails cause my polish always chips and my nails are so thin, but i don’t wanna spend sm money on a mani every couple of weeks 😭 ty for this article!! also side tip for anybody wanting nail oil for cheap: jojoba oil is one of the best oils you can use! i get a small bottle from trader joe’s and use it on nails + hair. i’ve had it for over a year and haven’t run out yet! u can also buy refillable nail oil syringes for cheap on amazon. i have three that i keep in my purse, bedside, and in my travel bag. none have run out and ive been using them for about 6 months (:
you did a great job ! perfect nails with & without polish ! irritated that everyone has so much to say about your work, forgetting part of the luxury of taking care of ourselves at home is being able to do what we want and what we’re comfortable with ! thank you for sharing with the world. keep it up and keep going ! never mind the world full of professionals 💕
Girl, you have saved my sanity. I have been trying to do this for over ten years. I bought a kit and threw it away. I just got another big kit for my birthday. I was getting ready to sell it. I didn’t know that after I cured the base coat under the lamp that it would still be tacky/wet. I was ready to sell all 30 of my gel polishes and the lamp. I’m going in again. Wish me luck.
Hunni, it’s MUCH faster to pour a small amount of acetone in a bowl and let it soak 15 mins and you’re done! 🙌🏾 I wear my own nails as well. This past November made 1 year. Best thing I ever did was do away with the acrylic. I love my nails so much more without it. I get mine done every 2 weeks cause they grow up like yours did, but within just 2 weeks!! I eat a lot of yogurt. So I think all the calcium is what makes mine grow so fast. I would love to drop from 2 weeks to once a month but it’s simply not possible. But your article is very accurate. My nail tech does mine just like this. Awesome article!
hey so i’m not sure if you’ll respond, but how do you know the polish is dry? what do you do when it just won’t dry? if it’s sticky and a little bit of colour is going off, but not much is it okay or do i need to start over? i’m not sure if my polish is shitty or am i inexperienced. i am talking about just polish, right after taking it out of the lamp.
Omg, THANK YOU! I have been so confused about the base coat part. Every single article says to apply a thin coat of base coat, and then they always proceed to apply a huge coat lol… it’s never a thin coat. So I have been confused like is it a thin coat or a thick coat?! One site I read said to barley coat it, and brush should almost be dry. Yours looks like a thin coat, but not insanely thin. So tired of influencers saying to use a thin coat, but for articles, they glop it on, confusing everyone. Thank you for the clear article.
This was a great tutorial!!! The “cuticles” you cut aren’t really your cuticles, what you cut is the proximal nail fold. The cuticle is the hard stuff on the nail and the oil isn’t a good choice to remove this. Also, I wouldn’t recommend mixing brands of gel base/top coat and color. Some formulas aren’t compatible and will not create a lasting mani. I’d also recommend cleaning the nails with isopropyl alcohol before the prep and base coat to ensure they’re clean from all oils and dust.
I hope this works for my next Painting, I just painted them and they already coming off . I noticed when I was applying the base coat and top cost it was drying ” Weird ” but Do I have to use the same brand for everything? Maybe is because the base coat and top coat are different brands from the GEL color.
1. cuticule oil (wipe off with acetone) 2. gel primer (basically dehydrator; viscose liquid) 3. base coat (from the top drag down the tip); feels sticky, don’t touch it (cure) 4. colour coat (from the top drag down); 2 coats if needed (cure after each layer) \t- second coat trick: start at the top, drag down, at the end build extra “layer” near the edge of your nail (dab it on) 5. top coat (swipe across the tip too) (cure)
Hello, this article was helpful. Question though… I cleaned my natural nail.. then applied gel polish, then applied gel top coat, cured it and 20 mins later, I could peel the polish off and it all came off like a sticker. Am I always supposed to apply primer first then base coat then polish for it to stay for weeks?
Used the polishing method as a first time gel polish user. Great advice, I’m grateful! I know this is an old article, but I will say that using oil to push back cuticles is awesome, just want to leave out cutting them, bc it leaves us open to infection. It’s a protective barrier. Otherwise, this was so helpful!!❤
So the primer and the base coat aren’t the same? I just got gel polish and a lamp and I followed all the steps but for some reason one nail chipped the next day. It’s stayed alot better than normal nail polish but it still chipped the next day. I don’t know if it’s the polish or if I did something wrong..
You know what, this actually seems super intuitive. I recently had acrylic nails French tip and when I got home it bothered me so much that the free edge wasn’t painted white too. I was like, if I did my nails I would do this so it looks better. I am going to start doing my own gel mani/pedis at home to save money! Thank you for the amazing tip and all around helpful article! ❤
I have so many questions still. I am a big fan of the sally Hansen insta dry because its about the only thing that doesn’t wear off in a matter of hours for me.Thats 3 coats of extava-grey. I work construction, do a lot of mechanic work, and other hands on things. Years ago I did my own acrylic nails and I will never do that again. So I guess Im just wondering if I should go the gel route. If the gel lasted 10 days I would be happily amazed! Please let me know your thoughts! 🙂 🙂
Thank you for the tutorial. I’ve been doing my gel nails for a little while when I soak my nails I just put them. I had seen somebody else do this and I thought it was great. I put a bowl with water in the microwave and then I put in a plastic bag, acetone and soak one hand, as you first file, it comes out and I proceed with the steps you showed us. I’ve never used a primer, but I thought that would be beneficial. left hand I can always do my left hand well right hand a little bit iffy so I have to take my time and doing it ha ha ha ha thank you ❤
You are literally the first person I’ve ever heard say that you don’t have to cut your cuticles 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 You’re so right. In fact, you don’t even have to push them back. There aren’t any health benefits whatsoever for cutting and/or pushing back your cuticles. In fact, dermatologists argue that you shouldn’t mess around with your cuticles. It can cause more harm than good (infections) and it’s something that nail technicians do solely for aesthetic purposes. The most I do (sometimes) is push back my cuticles gently when my nails are free of the gel products, ready for reapplication. My nails are healthy, strong and growing rapidly so I must be doing something right 🥰
shouldnt you apply cuticle oil after the gel polish application? Because the oils prevent the gel to stay on the nails and doesnt last long if theres some sort of oily substance on the nail. ok so I typed this before I watched the rest of the article but you use oil to cut your cuticles?? why not soak your nails in water after applying cuticle remover?
Hi, where did you get the orange buffing block? Not sure if I use the wrong one but my nails are kind of smooth after I buff them. And how do I know if the old base coat is completely off? It’s clear so I can’t tell if it’s been removed by the acetone. Is it ok to leave a thin layer of the old base coat on my nail? I am not sure why my gel polish never last more than one week. Please help.
Great tutorial on how to paint nails with gel polish. I didn’t I hear how long you allow your nails to dry each time, so was curious on that information? I noticed you use a UV lamp in your description; the lamp I purchased is a combo UV/LED lamp, so wondering is the drying time recommended for my lamp different? From what I’ve read it’s a shorter drying time, but your nails look great, so now thinking I should have gotten a UV only lamp.
Before the primer you put on acetone on your nails and then you said alcohol? Did you apply both of them to your nails before the primer? Sorry I’m just trying to follow along. I did my nails the first time with gel polish and it lasted less than one week I prefer dip powder, but I also would love to know how to do gel as well.❤
was painting over nail edges before seeing this article as well, but in my case, the edges rub off before week one os over, then start peeling at around end of week two. but, i do wash my dishes by hand (small household doesn’t need a dishwasher), i wash my hands probably at least 10 times or more during the day, then also hand creams, desinfectants, washing body (bath, shower) and washing hair, etc. unfortunately, it doesn’t help gel nails to stay longer but, i always painted the edges because a white egde’d just look a little strange to me. wish it helped for manicure to stay longer too (maybe it does? maybe without it, it’d peel in a week 🤔)
Hello 🙂 I tried applying the stickers before the top coat but the polish is sticky so it won’t stick 🙁 any suggestions? Also, after your done with curing the last time (with top coat), how long does it take to actually have fully dried nails? This is my first time doing gel. Thanks for your amazing article 🙂
How I do gel nails: 1. soak nails in warm water + hand soap 2. Push back cuticles 3. file/buff nails 4. Apply Primer to nails 5. place nails under UV lamp 6. apply whatever color gel polish 7. place nails under UV lamp again 8. repeat steps 6 and 7 until you get the shade of color you want (The more coats, the darker the color) 9. Apply top coat to nails 10. Place hands under UV lamp AND I’M DONE! (I forgot to add, apply base coat after your primer had dryer with UV lamp)
For everyone doing diy nails at home or practicing on self. Make sure not to over expose your skin to the products I’ve done nails since June I went way over board taking product off after one two and three days to keep up with posting and I’ve contacted an allergy to all products gel polish poly gel and acrylic which sucks !!!! I was careful not to get monomer or gel on my skin and still I broke out super bad a week ago after trying New acrylic set hoping once they’ve healed up it’s not too late. A lot of diyers like me didn’t research allergies to products I heard in tutorials about contact dermatitis I thought oh that’ll never happen to me then bam I’m stuck with it. Just be super aware of the products your using and get a practice hand rather than doing multiple sets a month on your own hands !!! I wish I’d done more research on all aspects of nails before going nuts on my own nails.
I enjoy all your articles and especially your ideas. I have concerns about the affects of gel & curing my nails for myself. Years ago, I did acrylic nails from a professional manicurist 1 time. My body’s reaction was negative & couldn’t wait to get them off. It took two years to get my nails and fingers back on course, heal and healthy. So I hesitate to anything that’s not plain nail polish. This article makes me want to try, then my sensitivity stops me. Thank you for sharing.
Hey Gabby, once i tried to do my nails at home (my first time) and i cured them around 2-3 mins per layer, but in the end my nail polish was so soft and peeled off. my all nail products are essence. Maybe is it about putting thick layers everytime? Cause thats why i did but im not sure. would be very nice if you can explain!