Although I’m always up for a spa appointment, and checking my worries at the salon door for an hour, the convenience of doing my own mani pedis at my leisure, while catching up on my latest show binge or podcast works best for my lifestyle (and saves significant $$)
Over the last 12 years I have done regular at-home manis (with a few salon trips mixed in) and through trial and error I have gained tips and tricks of how to make them last! I bought a professional UV light when I first started, but now there are so many affordable options, with great reviews.
I was blessed with oily nail beds, and dry cuticles (the worst possible combo for gel manis! ha) but I have learned to navigate how to make gel manis work. I am by no means a professional nail tech, but I will share all the tea of what has worked for me!
- File + Buffing: Choose a style that works best for you, and file accordingly. (You could always add tips and buff (or drill) them smooth before applying the gel!)
- Optional: Use cuticle remover, and push back and clean up cuticles.
- Cleanse nails with a nail cleanser, or swipe of alcohol (avoid washing with soaps that contain oils.)
- Apply pH Bond to cleanse the nail and remove natural oils.
- Apply Protein Bond to create sticky surface for gel to adhere to.
- Apply one coat of Gel Base Coat. Cure for 60 seconds.
- Apply 1-3 coats of Gel Polish, cure for 30-60 seconds each.
- Optional: Apply Designs – I just ordered this set to branch out to different designs. An angled brush makes doing French manis really simple!
- Apply a no-wipe Top Coat, and cure 60 seconds.
- Apply cuticle oil and hand lotion daily.
To Remove:
- Soak nails in acetone, or apply nail wraps with acetone (avoid peeling gel polish off, I’ve noticed it makes my nails weak)
**My number one tip when using gel polish (base, top & color) do not go all the way to the cuticle, or get any gel polish on your skin. This prevents the gel from lifting, and lasting longer.
I just ordered these Spring hues, and brushes and tools to try new designs!
