With practice and the right tools, a flawless gel mani can be (literally) at your fingertips.
“This includes knowing how to properly apply and cure gel polish and safely remove it.
Buff and File Your Nails
Ashley Rebecca
A long-lasting gel manicure lies in yourprep work.
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This includes buffing andfiling your nailsand taking care of your cuticles.
Filing down the nailbed allows for the gel to better adhere to the nail.
Stick to a traditional file for this step (like I did here).
Ashley Rebecca
“If you use a drill incorrectly, it’s easy to damage your nails.”
You’ll also want to pay special attention to your cuticles.
To clean up my nails, I used alcohol prep pads.
Ashley Rebecca
I used OPIGel Colorin Cajun Shrimp, $20.
You’ll want to go slow and steadywhile you paint.
“Take your time and be patient,” says Ogawa.
Ashley Rebecca
“Rushing through the process can result in mistakes and uneven utility.”
“Invest In high-quality gel polishes and tools,” Hanna recommends.
Capping the free edge will help prevent premature chipping.
Ashley Rebecca
Then, “use a clean-up brush to fix any mistakes before curing,” she says.
“A clean-up brush can help you achieve a salon-quality manicure at home.”
Once your second coat has been applied, cure it under the LED lamp for another 60 seconds.
Ashley Rebecca
Once your nails have been cured, wipe them with another alcohol wipe to remove any excess residue.
“If you skip these steps, your nails will chip and lift earlysometimes even immediately after system.”
Making this a regular practice can promote the longevity of your manicure.
Ashley Rebecca
“Moisturize your nails and cuticles regularly to prevent dryness and lifting,” recommends Hanna.
I used Butter LondonQuick Slip Cuticle Oil($22) around my cuticles.
“Instead, ensure proper removal by soaking your nails in acetone.”
Ashley Rebecca
You know you’ve soaked long enough when the polish comes off with gentle scraping.
(Your soaking time was insufficient if you have to force the polish off, says Hanna.)
I use the Bask LASteam Pro($100) to remove my at-home gel manicures.
Ashley Rebecca
Lifting can create pockets where water gets trapped under the nail, potentially leading to fungal infections.”
Yes, it’s possible for you to be allergic to gel manicures.
Ashley Rebecca
