Can I do my own Gelous gel manicure at home?
You can quickly and easy do your own Gelous gel nails from the comfort of your own home! We've created a one-stop-shop for beautiful at home gel manicures. Why not pamper yourself while learning to master the art of a beautiful DIY gel manicure or gel pedicure? Keep reading for all our tips and tricks so you can use your Gel Nail Polish Kit to create the perfect DIY gel manicure experience!
How do you prepare your nails for a Gelous gel manicure?
To start with, make sure your nails are in good condition. Nails that bend and move too much can cause your Gel Nail Polish to peel away from your nails. It's easy to take care of this by applying our Cuticle Oil to strengthen and nourish your nails. We recommend doing this until your nails feel noticeably stronger and have minimal bend when you push down on them.
Preparation is incredibly important if you want a manicure that lasts long, feels strong and looks like it's straight out of a salon. Before applying your first layer of Gel Nail Polish, make sure to lightly buff the surface of your nails using our Nail File. Buff your nails in one direction, paying close attention to the sides of your nails and near the cuticles, as these are often the areas that start to lift first if not buffed enough. The aim is to ensure the surface of your nail looks dull, not shiny. The roughness of your nail surface will help the Gel Nail Polish grip to your nails for a long-lasting gel manicure.
Once your nails have been thoroughly buffed and prepped, it's time to completely clean them to ensure there is no leftover dust, oil or other debris. Dust off your nails with our Dust Brush, then apply your Nail Polish Remover to a Lint Free Wipe and clean on top of the nails, around the cuticles, sides, and even under your nails - get right in there! Make sure that there is nothing that could hinder a smooth application of your Gel Nail Polish. Removing any residue on your nails can make an amazing difference!
How long does Gelous Gel Nail Polish take to dry?
To dry Gelous Gel Nail Polish, you simply cure each coat under the Gelous UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp for 60 seconds. As soon as your final coat is cured your nails will be hard and perfectly dry. Everyone hates smudging your nails after finally completing your manicure - with Gelous Gel Nail Polish this is a thing of the past!
Once your Base Coat, Builder Gel and Colour Coat layers are cured, they will remain slightly tacky so that when you apply the following layer, it sticks to the layer below. Unlike these layers, your Top Coat layer will be hard, dry and perfectly cured after you have cured your nails under the UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp for 60 seconds.
How do you apply Gelous Gel Nail Polish?
Set your manicure station up somewhere comfortable, clean and away from any pets - you don't want any hairs on your Gel Nail Polish! To apply every coat of your UV/LED Gel Nail Polish, start a bit above the cuticle and ‘push’ the Gel Polish gently towards it, leaving a thin gap between the edge of the Gel Polish and your cuticle. After this, pull one stroke up the center, one up each side and then ‘cap’ the nail by running the brush horizontally over the tip. Ensure you are applying thin, even coats of your Gel Nail Polish. This allows your Gel Polish to cure thoroughly and reduces the likelihood of any peeling or chipping. Don’t forget to avoid getting any Gel Polish on your skin or cuticle - if you do, remove it with an Orangewood Cuticle Stick or Lint Free Wipe before curing.
Start with applying your Base Coat, then cure it for a minute under the UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp. If you have flaky, weak, thin or splitting nails, we recommend using a Rubber Base Coat instead of your regular Base Coat to give you a thicker, more even surface your your next layer of Gel Polish to bond to. If your nails are on the thin side, you will want to follow this with an application of Builder Gel (also known as BIAB or Builder in a Bottle), curing it for 60 seconds under the UV LED Gel Nail Lamp. Builder Gel will give your manicure additional strength as well as reducing any nail bending. Following this, you can apply your Gelous Colour Coat. We recommend 2-3 thin coats of your Colour Coat for maximum cover, curing each coat for 60 seconds with the Gel Nail Lamp. For your final Top Coat layer we have a range of finish options, including Matte Top Coat, Glossy Top Coat and Shimmer Top Coat. With these, you can slay your gel manicure in whichever way you want!
Remember, an added bonus with Gel Nail Polish is that it only dries when cured under the UV Gel Nail Lamp, so you can ensure each layer of your UV/LED Gel Polish is perfect before curing it.
How should I properly care for my nails after a Gelous gel manicure?
There's a few more key things that will really bring that gel manicure up to salon-quality. Make sure to use our Cuticle Oil and a good quality hand cream regularly to moisturise your hands and cuticles, keeping your nails looking fresher for longer. It's important to try to avoid washing dishes or using cleaning products without gloves as well - this can sometimes decrease the longevity of Gel Nail Polish. This aftercare really does make all the difference when taking your at-home gel manicure from good to great!
