Gel nails are created by applying layers of gel acrylic to the nails. These combine and harden to form a solid nail. Depending on the formula use, nails are hardened with an ultraviolet light or under ordinary room lighting. Gels are among the most natural-looking of all nail enhancements and worth thinking about if you want nails that look like your own, only longer and stronger. Get a nail technician to apply your gel nails for you as doing it yourself is tricky. That said, the basic steps are outlined here to help you understand the process.
Method 1: Fibre wraps
ATTACH TIP
Natural nail surfaces are buffed and free edges filed to shape. A drop of nail adhesive is applied to the nail tip, which is held at a 45-degree angle. The top of the tip is placed at the free edge, rolled back, pressed down and held till secure.
TRIM TIP
The tips are trimmed with a special nail tip trimmer.
FILE TIPS TO SHAPE
The tips are shaped with a nail file and any rough edges are smoothed away.
BLEND TIPS
The tip seam is blended where it joins the nail and the free edge is shaped with a medium to fine file.
BUFF AND SMOOTH
Nails are buffed and smoothed carefully.
APPLY MICROFIBRE WRAP
The self-adhesive microfibre wrap is applied.
APPLY THIN ACRYLIC
One to two coats of thin acrylic gel are applied to the wraps and allowed to set.
BUILD CONTOURS
When dry, the remnants of the fibre wraps are cut away and any roughness file smooth. Thick acrylic gel is applied to build up the nail contours.
FILE AND BUFF
Once set, nails are filed and buffed, and topcoat applied.
TIPS
- Enhancement need 'filling' every two to four weeks, depending on how quickly your nails grow. The area next to the cuticle is filled by the technician to match the rest of the nail.
- When any enhancements are removed, your natural nails may be paper thin.
Method 2: Acrylic overlay
APPLY TIPSThe natural nail surfaces are buffed with a buffer to remove shine only, then the free edge of the nail plate is filed to shape. One drop of nail adhesive is applied to the nail tip, which is held at a 45-degree angle and positioned correctly by placing the top of the tip at the free edge. Then the tip is rolled back and pressed down, holding it in place for a few seconds until it is secure.
APPLY BONDING AGENTOne coat of acrylic bonding agent is applied to the natural nail only.
APPLY ACRYLICAcrylic is applied using the ball method: The brush is dipped into the liquid and pressed against the dish to release any excess. The tip of the brush is swept across the surface of the powder until it has gathered as much powder as it can hold, and is large enough to cover the entire nail. The ball of product is then applied to the centre of the nail.
FILL INWorking quickly while still wet, the acrylic is pushed back to fill in the cuticle area, toward the sides and forward to complete the nail overlay. The nails are tapped, and the nail technician listens for the clicking sound that will indicates that the product has completely cured.
FILE AND BUFFNails are filed and buffed, then completed according to your needs - basecoat, polish and topcoat. A drop of cuticle oil is applied to each cuticle.
Method 3: Sculpted acrylic
BUFF NAILSNails are buffed and sterilized, then sculpted using cutaway disposable paper forms or reusable metal forms.
APPLY BONDING AGENTOne coat of acrylic bonding agent is applied to the natural nail to help bond the keratin with the polymer.
FIT REUSABLE FORM The chosen form is fitted to each finger, ensuring it fits correctly. It is held securely in position during application. If a reusable form is used, it is slid onto the finger, making sure the free edge of the nail fits over it and it sits snugly.
FIT DISPOSABLE FORMIf disposable forms are used, one is peeled from its paper backing. It is bent into an arch to fit the natural nail shape, slid onto the finger and the adhesive backing is pressed to the sides of the finger. It must fit securely under the free edge and sit level with the natural nail.
ACRYLIC LIQUIDAcrylic liquid (monomer) and acrylic powder (polymer) are poured into separate glass containers. The brush is dipped into the liquid and pressed against the dish to release any excess.
WHITE POWDERThe tip of the brush is swept across the surface of the white acrylic powder until it gathers as much powder as it can hold, and is large enough to shape the entire free-edge extension.
PLACE FIRST BALLThe acrylic ball is placed on the centre of the nail form where it joins the free edge.
DAB, PUSH AND PRESSThe acrylic is dabbed, pushed and pressed to shape an extension using the middle portion of the brush.
CONTINUE SHAPINGSides are kept parallel and shaped continuously along the free edge.
SHAPING COMPLETEDA dabbing action creates a more natural-looking nail. (If the two-colour acrylic method is used, the natural free-edge line must be followed with the white powder to create a French manicure).
PINK ACRYLIC LIQUIDA second ball of acrylic is created using the pink acrylic powder.
PLACE SECOND BALLThe second ball of acrylic is placed on the natural nail next to the free edge line in the centre of the nail.
SHAPE ACRYLICThe ball is shaped by dabbing and pressing out to the side walls, making sure the product is very thin around all edges.
PLACE THIRD BALLA third ball of pink acrylic is placed at the cuticle area.
SMOOTH OVER NAILThe ball is smoothed over the nail, gliding the brush over the nail to remove any imperfections. The edges closest to the cuticle, sidewall and free edge must be very thin for the most convincing nails.
TAP NAIL FOR DRYNESSThe nails are tapped with the brush handle to hear if they make a clicking sound. This will indicate that the nails are completely dry.
REMOVE METAL FORMThe forms are removed once nails are thoroughly dry.
REMOVE DISPOSABLE FORMThe forms are removed once nails are thoroughly dry.
SHAPE NEW NAILSNails are shaped using a medium-grade emery board, then buffed until the entire surface is smooth.
APPLY POLISHNails are finished with a layer of basecoat, two coats of nail polish if desired, and a topcoat. Finally, a drop of cuticle oil is applied to each cuticle.
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3 comments:
Good Content.
Today while I was surfing the Internet, I came across several interesting articles talking about UV nail lamps and how to use them with gel nail application. I also happened to visit this site Gel-Nails and found amazing variety of UV lamps in American and European style. Some of these lamps also have a timer and a digital display which I think is really cool. And what’s best above all is the super discount that you can get which is 50% and more also for most of the products.
I guess this is a great offer to grab as there is free global shipping also over a minimum purchase order. So if you are looking out to save money after having spent on gel nails, then check out the great offers here. Maybe you may find much more than what you are looking for as I did.
Good Content.
Today while I was surfing the Internet, I came across several interesting articles talking about UV nail lamps and how to use them with gel nail application. I also happened to visit this site Gel-Nails and found amazing variety of UV lamps in American and European style. Some of these lamps also have a timer and a digital display which I think is really cool. And what’s best above all is the super discount that you can get which is 50% and more also for most of the products.
I guess this is a great offer to grab as there is free global shipping also over a minimum purchase order. So if you are looking out to save money after having spent on gel nails, then check out the great offers here. Maybe you may find much more than what you are looking for as I did.
Interesting content.
Just wanted to share some information that may help busy professionals caught up with work and who have less time to maintain their nails. You can try out gel nails which are now becoming a hot favorite as they are natural looking even without nail tips and the best way for nail enhancement. Also, if you are allergic to those strong smelling chemicals which you can experience with acrylic nails, then you should use gel nails as these are odorless.
However, when you are planning on gel nail application, make sure you approach a nail salon or a nail artist who is well versed with gel nails and is properly trained and mastered in gel applications. This will save you from problems that can arise with improper gel nail applications.
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