Technology applying gel polish developed in 1979 by the founder of CDN company Stuart Nordst. He also opened the first step-by-step training center for manicure and pedicure The Creative Academy.
General recommendations
The main features of the gel polish, thanks to which it is gaining popularity every day, are hidden in its physical properties:
- firmness, stays on the nail plate for 2-3 weeks;
- resistance to external damage. Gel polish does not fade, does not fade, does not scratch, does not crack, and is resistant to any chemical attack.
- Safe for health.
When choosing a color, in addition to the client's tastes, it is necessary to take into account his nail length, skin tone, season, situation. In addition, it should be remembered that depending on the consistency and texture of the gel polish, shades of the same color may look different.
Different colors of gel polishes, like hair, can give the skin an unpleasant yellowness, pallor, and redness. In order not to be mistaken, you should apply the varnish on the transparent tips in two or three layers, and then apply to the nail.
Each color has many shades, they are divided into scales. Be wary of the pink and beige range. For dark-skinned women, shades without yellowness are suitable, for pale skin - cold colors: pink and grayish-beige. For girls with golden skin, it is better to choose a delicate creamy palette or red shades.
Darker colors make the nail longer. Therefore, dark glossy gels are ideal for short nails. For example, dark blue, purple, cherry, chocolate, black.
On long plates, dark and bright colors will look too provocative and vulgar. Pastel and light will ennoble long nails.
Bright colors, catchy patterns or pictures are perfect for medium-length nails. Matte, holographic, sand, glitter, magnetic, thermo lacquers look spectacular at standard lengths. Classic French manicure suits both a formal business style and a gentle romantic look.
The season undoubtedly influences the choice of color and pattern of gel polish. For outdoor activities, summer parties, feel free to choose acid shades, holographic patterns, catchy inscriptions and pictures. In autumn, colors that are in harmony with nature will do. Winter is the time for light and classic varnishes, and in spring delicate floral tones will look just right.
Application technique
The application of gel polish is carried out step by step in the following way: hygienic cleaning, degreasing, applying a base, a colored layer, a final layer. Each layer must be dried.
When applying color, it is important to follow a certain technique that is different from applying a simple varnish. There are two options for applying gel polish to the nail. In the first, the brush is placed just below the base (2-3 mm) of the nail and under light pressure goes to the base, then to the tip. Further from the root, the lateral parts are painted over, after which it moves in shape to fix the end of the nail.
In the second version, on the contrary, a drop of varnish is placed 2-3 mm from the base, the brush moves up, then comes off and distributes the varnish on the right and left sides of the nail. The middle is painted over with the rest of the varnish. The undoubted advantage of a gel polish over a simple one is that it does not dry out, and it can be leveled for an unlimited amount of time.
Tools
To make a high-quality manicure and not damage the nail plate, you must use the following tools:
- Layer drying lamp. There are 3 types of lamps: LED or LED lamps, gas, ultraviolet. The latest device is the most popular. The ultraviolet lamp appeared on the market earlier than others, has a variety of designs and a wide price range. However, it works by using UV lamps, which dry out the skin and nail plate. They also burn out quickly with frequent use. In the salon, it will last no more than 3 months. Each UV lamp has a different wattage, which affects the drying rate. Craftsmen believe that it is safest to buy 36 W lamps. They dry the layer in 2 minutes. and cause minimal harm to the hands.
LED lamps are more expensive, but more durable than previous ones.
They dry the gel polish in 10-30 seconds, which significantly reduces the manicure time. Such lamps are much more convenient for home use, they are compact, do not cause discomfort and do not dry out the skin. You need to choose models in which lamps are located around the entire perimeter, otherwise the gel polish will dry unevenly.
Gas light bulbs combine LEDs and fluorescents and are characterized by low energy consumption and durability. It does not dry the skin and is suitable for all types of varnishes, but the drying time of the layers depends on the brand and varies from 30 to 180 seconds.
- Files. They are necessary in order to give the nails the desired shape and length. Glass or ceramic 180/240 grit instruments are best suited.
- Soft brush. It is required after each stage of nail treatment. Removes dust, nail and skin particles.
- Orange stick. With their help, you can safely move the cuticle, remove excess gel polish or apply patterns.
- Pusher. Can be used instead of an orange stick: gently pushes back the cuticle and removes excess skin.
- Nippers. Must be made of surgical steel. This will protect the cuticle and burr removal.
- Buff or soft file. The abrasiveness of these tools is 160/180 grit. Needed for polishing or removing the top layer.
- Brush kit for applying various varnishes and patterns.
The application of gel polish is carried out step by step using a variety of auxiliary materials: napkins, antiseptic, gloves, a medical mask, oil for moisturizing the cuticle, degreasing composition, and a means for removing the sticky layer. After each use, all instruments need thermal or chemical treatment.
Which one is suitable for long-lasting manicure
The health of the nail plates and the beauty of the manicure depend on the choice of the brand of materials.
Gel polishes are divided into:
- single-phase, when the base, color gel polish and top are already mixed. Usually applied in one or two layers;
- two-phase, when the base already has color and is strengthened by the top;
- three-phase, when a base, color gel polish, top is applied to the nail;
Single-phase coatings are the easiest to use and significantly reduce the time for manicure. However, the quality of this varnish is worse than the others. It is more difficult to align and lasts less time.
The use of a base when applying a two-phase gel polish increases the service life, levels the nail plate, prevents the color pigment from penetrating the nail or flowing under the cuticle.
Three-phase gel polish is considered professional. It must be applied step by step: degrease the nail, then apply the base, color and top (top coat). Further, this is all treated with a special liquid to remove the sticky layer. Three-phase varnish requires a special application technique, but it looks better and more presentable.
The table shows the most popular brands of gel polish, their features and disadvantages:
| Brand | Features: | disadvantages |
| CND | Provides a bright and rich color after the first application. |
|
| In'Garden So naturally | The composition contains medicinal natural ingredients. Easily adheres to the nail and has a rich color after 1-2 layers. | Difficult to remove. It must either be cut down or kept in a special solution for a long time. |
| Color couture | Has a wide palette of 140 colors. Perfectly aligns the nail. | Little known brand. |
| Jessica geleration | Convenient for single-colored coating, has a positive effect on the health of nails. | Very liquid consistency. Drawings and patterns will flow. |
| Axxium OPI | It is considered one of the best coatings. Protects the nail well, does not break, scratches, does not crack. Apply only to healthy, solid nails. | Dries for a very long time - up to 5 minutes. In this case, it may swell. Stays on nails for up to 10 days. |
| Bourjois paris | Created on the basis of regular varnish. Thick enough. | By all quality characteristics it is inferior to the classic gel polish. |
| Grattol | It is easily applied to the nail and does not need additional alignment. Has a large palette of colors. There is practically no smell. | It has contraindications for allergy sufferers, you need to study the composition. |
| Gel Color OPI | Used in salons around the world, has received several awards from the American Beauty Association. Has a safe composition, rich color, several color collections. Dries no more than 30 seconds. | High price. |
| ruNail | Easy to apply and remove, does not spread over the nail. Has a rich palette of colors. | Lasts less than 3 weeks. |
| Masura | Large selection of colors and effects. Bottles of different sizes from 3.5 to 35 ml! Safe composition and low cost. | May be difficult to apply. |
| Bluesky | Has a varied palette of colors and shades, medium viscosity and pigmentation, easy to apply. | Has a pungent odor, dull - must be applied in several layers, |
| LUXIO | Easy to apply, odorless, flat brush that regulates the distribution of varnish over the nail. There are color collections with over 160 shades. | High cost, contraindicated for allergy sufferers, you need to study the composition. |
| Kodi Professional | Has a safe composition, is evenly distributed over the nail, bright enough. Large selection of shades, bottles of 8 and 12 ml. | High price. |
| TNL Professional | Easy to apply and remove, a wide range of colors that are constantly growing. Low cost. | May cause allergies. |
| Canni | Safe composition, do not have pungent odors. Large selection of colors and handy brushes. | |
| Lovely | Persistent, have a bright color, economical to use. |
If the manicure is done in good faith, then the shellacs will meet all the above characteristics.
How to do it at home
Regardless of the type of gel polish (single-phase, two-phase, three-phase), all hygiene and application rules must be observed.
- Hygienic manicure. This is the preparation of the nail plate, namely, the removal of the cuticle, burr, and shaping. Next, you need to disinfect and degrease your nails. Preliminary preparation is responsible for the quality of the future manicure.
- Base coat application. It is called the “first coat” and is applied using the “base”. This is necessary to strengthen and align the nail. First, apply on four fingers, except for the thumb, then dry. The same is done with the thumb. This sequence of application is necessary for even drying of the base.
- Then colored varnish is applied. It is applied in a thin layer in several layers, constantly drying. This will help prevent uneven application, blistering, and nail polish.
- Pattern, rhinestones and stickers applied to the dried color layer. No special techniques are needed here. Of course, if this is not the application of patterns or combined painting.
- The final layer is the application of the top. It sets the varnish and makes it glossy and shiny. With the final layer, it is important to properly fix the ends, otherwise the gel polish may come off ahead of time.
Applying gel polish step by step guarantees long-term wear and preservation of healthy nails.
Master class for one-color manicure
Monochromatic manicure will never lose its popularity. You don't need to paint your nails the color of the rainbow to be trendy. One color is enough to look stylish.
- First, you need to prepare the nail plate, namely to give it a shape, cut the cuticle and overgrown skin. Then, using a brush, carefully remove all dust from the nails and degrease. This is done with a special degreaser or dehydrator on all nails at the same time; they do not need to be dried in a lamp. In some cases, the nails are polished with a buff.
- Base application is necessary to protect the nail plate from the active components of the gel polish. In addition, the base evens out the nail and gives it the correct shape. To prevent it from spreading, it is first applied to four fingers (except for the thumb) from top to bottom and dried. Then the thumbs are painted. Do not allow the base to get under the cuticle or on the edges. It is imperative to seal the end of the nail.
- Monochrome gel polish is applied and dried according to the same principle as the base. Depending on the brand, the color gel is applied alternately in several layers.
- Next, a top coat is applied and dried in a lamp. It is this that strengthens the nails and prolongs the wearing period of the manicure.
Master class with simple patterns and drawings
To make an original pattern, you can use any everyday objects: masking tape, sewing needles, foil, sponge, toothpick. Stickers have long been invented for drawings. And more complex patterns are made using special brushes, stencils, tools.
The simplest pattern is geometric. From straight lines, triangles and circles, you can depict winter drawings (snowflakes, snowmen, Christmas trees), spring flowers, autumn thaw. Simple lines in a chaotic manner can also look stylish, the main thing is to choose the right colors and not overdo it.
Patterns and designs are applied to gel polish before final coating. Smooth lines are easy to apply with masking tape. It will prevent colors from mixing, will not harm gel polish and will peel off easily. So you can make a two-tone manicure: stick a piece of scotch tape on the colored layer, and cover the rest with another varnish.
It is more convenient to apply the points with a toothpick or needle. Ethnic patterns can be made from straight lines and dots. They perfectly dilute a monophonic manicure and create a unique look.
Pieces of foil can be laid out on a colored nail and painted over with white varnish. Removing the foil leaves colored stripes on a white background.
Gradient manicure is done with a sponge or sponge. Dry shadows of various shades are applied to the base, fixed on top with a top. It's pretty easy to draw flowers. A thick gel polish drips onto the base or color layer. This drop is then pulled out with a needle or toothpick, taking the shape of a petal.
Master class with decor
Simple decor on the nails will suit any woman, regardless of age, social status, race. The easiest way to do it is with stencils.
- The selected stencil is carefully placed on the base or color layer and straightened. It should fit snugly on all sides of the nail.
- A different color is applied.
- The stencil is removed with tweezers slowly from the root to the edge of the nail. The resulting drawing is dried under a lamp.
- The final layer is applied.
You don't need to make patterns for each nail. It can look too gaudy and tasteless. Most often, the decor is complemented by a monochromatic manicure. Applying gel polish step by step greatly simplifies the implementation of even complex decor.
You can decorate your nails with rhinestones. For example, depict raindrops or a crown. Rhinestones can complement both monochromatic manicure and drawings. The size of the decor is selected from the length and color of the nails. The emphasis should be on only one finger. Rhinestones or any other decoration elements are applied on wet gel polish without glue, then dried and strengthened with a top.
Fashion trends in 2019-2020
One of the fashionable novelties in 2019-2020. became nail art, which turned into real art. These are individual patterns and designs on the nails.
Simple geometric patterns are out of fashion, modern nail art is artistic compositions.
Especially popular are drawings not on a pair of nails, but on 10 fingers. Each episode on the nail continues the next and builds a single composition.
Convenience and practicality are the companions of modern fashion. Therefore, the trend this year is short and medium length of nails.
Bright, acidic colors also came off the top. In 2019-2020. heavenly, green, orange, olive, brown, mustard, fuchsia, yellow are welcome. The classic combination of colors: black, white, red has not gone out of fashion either.
The average cost of applying gel polish in the salon is 1500 rubles. Self-guided step-by-step procedures will significantly save your budget and time.
Author: Anastasia CHEKUNOVA
Video about applying gel polish at home
13 products you need to buy to apply gel polish at home: