How can I get my gel manicure to last longer?

If you are a new user of Gel Nail Polish, please don’t be disheartened if your first few manicures don’t last as long as expected. There are many tips and tricks to applying Gel Nail Polish that make the difference between a long-lasting application and an application that doesn’t last long enough (i.e. chips easily or peels). Often, new users of Gel Nail Polish make small mistakes during the application process that cause premature chipping or peeling. Once you've mastered your Gel Polish application, you'll enjoy flawless, long-lasting manicures time and time again. Practice really does make perfect!Please be patient, read our Application Guide carefully, and take note of our tips and tricks. Make sure you are using Gelous brand Base Coat, Colour Coat, Top Coat and Gel Nail Lamp. Gelous Gel Nail Polish and the Gelous UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp are designed to be totally compatible, with the UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp operating at 365-405nm and the Gel Polish curing within this wavelength. Though we use a reasonably generic curing wavelength, we do advise against using different polishes with our lamps, different lamps with our polish, or different brands polishes with our polish, as they may not be compatible. Incompatibility could result in under-curing which can cause serious damage to your hands or nails. Ensure your nails are strong enough for a gel manicure. If your nails are too weak, they can bend and cause the Gel Nail Polish to pull away from the nail. Nourish your nails with products such as Cuticle Oil, Moisturiser and Nail Defense to improve their strength, and consider adding a Builder Gel into your manicure routine.Nail prep is very important and will directly influence the longevity of your mani or pedi. Before applying your Gel Nail Polish, gently buff the entire surface of each nail. Make sure to buff in one direction and remember, you are trying to rough up your nails not make them smooth, so the whole nail should appear dull from the buffing (not shiny). You need to be very thorough with the buffing, paying particular attention to the sides of the nails and around the cuticle, as this is where lifting may occur if not buffed correctly.Make sure to clean your nails thoroughly after buffing, as any residual buffing dust, oil or other contaminants will reduce adhesion of the gel and affect the longevity. To clean, simply apply Nail Polish Remover to a Lint Free Wipe and thoroughly clean the surface of your nails, including the area under your nails and around the cuticles.Use Nail Primer before your Base Coat to prime and dehydrate the nails.Don’t apply your coats of Gel Nail Polish too thick and make sure they are an even thickness. Pay attention to the cuticles and the sides, as this is where Gel Polish can get thicker if you have too much Gel Nail Polish on the brush. To achieve a thin application, remove excess Gel Nail Polish from the brush by circling it around the inside of the bottle neck, pressing it off.Cap every coat of Gel Nail Polish by running the brush horizontally over the free edge of your nail. View capping diagram here. If you have shorter nails, start each coat by using a Nail Art Brush or the tip of your bottle brush to cap the free edge. When applying, start in the middle of the nail then ‘push’ the Gel Nail Polish gently towards the cuticle without it touching. It is important to leave a thin gap between the edge of the Gel Nail Polish and your cuticle when applying. If the Gel Nail Polish is applied to the cuticle, it can separate and lift as your nail plate grows. Aim to avoid getting any Gel Nail Polish on your skin or cuticle, however if you do, remove it with an Orangewood Cuticle Stick, Nail Art Brush or Lint Free Wipe before curing. In terms of aftercare, avoid washing dishes or using cleaning products without gloves, use Cuticle Oil regularly to help your nails looking fresh for longer, and if you get a snag, file this down so it does not catch and cause further damage.

Gel Nail Polish Removal Guide

Soak Off Removal

Using the rough 100 grit side of the Gelous Nail File, gently buff the surface of the Gel Nail Polish to break the seal and remove the shiny Top Coat.
Soak a Lint Free Wipe in Gelous Gel Nail Polish Remover and place it on top of your nail.
Clip on the Gelous Nail Polish Removal Clips, pressing down once your finger is inside. It is easiest to do the pointer finger and thumb of your dominant hand last, or do one hand at a time.
Leave on for 15 minutes (approx.), then remove Gelous Nail Polish Removal Clips and Lint Free Wipes.
Gently remove the Gel Nail Polish from your nails by using an Orangewood Cuticle Stick to push, or Gel Nail Polish Removal Tool to pull the Gel Nail Polish off. Go in the direction your nail grows, from right above the cuticle to the tip, taking care not to press into the nail. If the Gel Nail Polish doesn’t come off easily, you may need to soak your nails for longer. This could be because the nails weren’t buffed enough, or the layers of Gel Nail Polish were quite thick.
Lightly buff your nails with the fine 180 grit side of the Gelous Nail File to smooth the surface of your nails.
It is totally fine to still have some Builder Gel remaining on your nails after your removal process. If you wish to remove it completely, please take care not to buff the natural nail too much, as this can thin the nail plates and cause sensitivity.
Apply Gelous Cuticle Oil to your nails and surrounding skin to nourish and moisturise.

E-File Removal

Ensure the Gelous E-File Pen is fully charged prior to use. To charge, insert the USB-C end of the cable into the the Gelous E-File Pen USB-C Port & insert the USB-A end of the cable into a computer port, laptop port, power bank, or 20W wall charger. The LCD Display will flash until it is fully charged.
Rotate the Twist Lock fully to the left, insert the Drill Bit, then rotate the Twist Lock fully to the right.
Turn it on by holding the On/Off/Increase Speed Button down for 2 sec. Increase speed by pressing the On/Off/Increase Speed Button.
Make sure the Drill Bit is rotating in the correct direction. It should be rotating in the opposite way to how you are moving down the nail (from cuticle to nail tip) to create traction. Press the Forward/Reverse Button if you wish to change direction. If it is set to the wrong direction you will feel it bouncing off at the end of the nail - this is the incorrect way to use the drill and can cause damage to your nails.
To remove your Gelous Gel Nail Polish, move in light, even strokes from the cuticle to the nail tip. Take care to apply minimal pressure and ensure the Drill Bit is rotating in the correct direction.
Stop once you have removed the desired amount of Gelous Gel Nail Polish. Ensure that the E-File is never used on bare nails.
Turn it off by holding the On/Off/Increase Speed Button down for 2 sec.
Switch off before cleaning.
While the Drill Bit is still in, lightly dust with the Gelous Dust Brush.
Wipe down remaining dust with lightly dampened cloth & leave to air-dry.

Tips & Tricks

Use compatible products

Use all Gelous products (Base Coat, Colour Coat, Top Coat, and Gel Nail Lamp) to ensure compatibility.

Careful preparation

Gently buff your nails to create a dull, slightly rough surface, then clean and dehydrate them with Nail Polish Remover before application for ultimate adhesion.

Apply away from sun

Apply your Gel Nail Polish away from sunlight and your Gel Nail Lamp when turned on to avoid it curing on the brush.

Apply thinly

Apply your Gel Nail Polish in thin, even coats, leaving a gap between the Gel Nail Polish & cuticle to prevent lifting.

Avoid skin contact

Remove any Gel Nail Polish on your skin before curing to prevent reactions or allergies.

Use a strengthener

Use Builder Gel or Rubber Base Coat if your nails are weak or flaky.

Cap your coats

Cap every coat of Gel Nail Polish by running the brush horizontally over the free edge of your nail.

Practice aftercare

Avoid washing dishes or using cleaning products without gloves, and use Cuticle Oil daily.

FAQ's

If you are a new user of Gel Nail Polish, please don’t be disheartened if your first few manicures don’t last as long as expected. There are many tips and tricks to applying Gel Nail Polish that make the difference between a long-lasting application and an application that doesn’t last long enough (i.e. chips easily or peels). Often, new users of Gel Nail Polish make small mistakes during the application process that cause premature chipping or peeling. Once you've mastered your Gel Polish application, you'll enjoy flawless, long-lasting manicures time and time again. Practice really does make perfect!

Please be patient, read our Application Guide carefully, and take note of our tips and tricks.

Make sure you are using Gelous brand Base Coat, Colour Coat, Top Coat and Gel Nail Lamp. Gelous Gel Nail Polish and the Gelous UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp are designed to be totally compatible, with the UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp operating at 365-405nm and the Gel Polish curing within this wavelength. Though we use a reasonably generic curing wavelength, we do advise against using different polishes with our lamps, different lamps with our polish, or different brands polishes with our polish, as they may not be compatible. Incompatibility could result in under-curing which can cause serious damage to your hands or nails.
Ensure your nails are strong enough for a gel manicure. If your nails are too weak, they can bend and cause the Gel Nail Polish to pull away from the nail. Nourish your nails with products such as Cuticle Oil, Moisturiser and Nail Defense to improve their strength, and consider adding a Builder Gel into your manicure routine.
Nail prep is very important and will directly influence the longevity of your mani or pedi. Before applying your Gel Nail Polish, gently buff the entire surface of each nail. Make sure to buff in one direction and remember, you are trying to rough up your nails not make them smooth, so the whole nail should appear dull from the buffing (not shiny). You need to be very thorough with the buffing, paying particular attention to the sides of the nails and around the cuticle, as this is where lifting may occur if not buffed correctly.
Make sure to clean your nails thoroughly after buffing, as any residual buffing dust, oil or other contaminants will reduce adhesion of the gel and affect the longevity. To clean, simply apply Nail Polish Remover to a Lint Free Wipe and thoroughly clean the surface of your nails, including the area under your nails and around the cuticles.
Use Nail Primer before your Base Coat to prime and dehydrate the nails.
Don’t apply your coats of Gel Nail Polish too thick and make sure they are an even thickness. Pay attention to the cuticles and the sides, as this is where Gel Polish can get thicker if you have too much Gel Nail Polish on the brush. To achieve a thin application, remove excess Gel Nail Polish from the brush by circling it around the inside of the bottle neck, pressing it off.
Cap every coat of Gel Nail Polish by running the brush horizontally over the free edge of your nail. View capping diagram here. If you have shorter nails, start each coat by using a Nail Art Brush or the tip of your bottle brush to cap the free edge.
When applying, start in the middle of the nail then ‘push’ the Gel Nail Polish gently towards the cuticle without it touching. It is important to leave a thin gap between the edge of the Gel Nail Polish and your cuticle when applying. If the Gel Nail Polish is applied to the cuticle, it can separate and lift as your nail plate grows. Aim to avoid getting any Gel Nail Polish on your skin or cuticle, however if you do, remove it with an Orangewood Cuticle Stick, Nail Art Brush or Lint Free Wipe before curing.
In terms of aftercare, avoid washing dishes or using cleaning products without gloves, use Cuticle Oil regularly to help your nails looking fresh for longer, and if you get a snag, file this down so it does not catch and cause further damage.