DIY Gel Nail Manicure

So I've been wanting to do this tutorial for a while now, so here it is! :D

Have you ever wondered how to keep your polish from chipping or peeling after day 2 or 3?

I was in cosmetology school for just a short while and had the opportunity to learn how to do a real gel polish manicure. So I splurged and bought myself a UV lamp from Cosmo Prof (licensed professionals or students only..sorry -_-) buuut I did find others that will work the same as Sally Beauty Supply, Amazon, and even Ebay! So I hope that helps :)

Also, before I start, you will need a starter kit. I was cheap this time and bought the "Must Haves Kit" at Ulta and you can find it here. You can see a better picture of it below. There is a better kit I recommend also at Sally Beauty Supply is the "Gellish Basix Kit" and it is a little bit more $ but worth it.

Supplies:
-UV or LED lamp
-Gel nail kit:
Purify (pre and post cleaner)

Erase (gel polish remover)

Prep (sanitizer)

Structure (gel base coat)

Brilliance (gel top coat)

Revitalized (cuticle oil)

-Gel color

-lotion or sunscreen with spf of at least 20

-old cotton towel and paper towels

-other tools (files, cotton pads, buffs, etc.)

      

Step 1: Prep the nail. File and buff where needed or to add shape or definition, remove cuticles, etc. Before moving on to the next step, apply your spf to protect from the UV rays of the lamp.

Step 2: Use a cotton pad and apply the Purify pre and post cleaner. Anything past this point, you're going to want to try to not touch your nails. The cleanser and sanitizer is used to temporarilly absorb the natural oils in your nails for a better adhesion process.

Step 3: Apply one coat of the Prep sanitizer. You will notice it dries out your nails. This is normal.

Step 4: Apply a THIN COAT of Structure gel base and cure for 160 seconds (your lamp should have a timer setting).

*IMPORTANT NOTE* Please don't look directly or stare at the lights. I know they're pretty but come on! It's pure 100% ultra violet light rays. Be smart.

Step 5: After curing the base coat, apply a THIN coat of your color and cure once more. The reason I say thin coats is because if it is too thick, it will not cure properly. Remember: you can always apply more but you will have to start over in order to take layers off, and we don't want that.

  

Step 6: After curing the first coat of color, apply another thin layer of color and cure again. Once again, after curing apply the last coat which is the brilliance top coat. This will seal your nails and give it shine as well. Cure the top coat and you're almost done!

Step 7: After the last curing process, wipe or gently rub nails with cotton pad and the Purify pre and post cleanser. Before you wipe them down, your nails will still be tacky and this is normal. The cleanser puts the natural oils back into your nails and sets the polish.

  

Step 8: The last step is to apply the Revitalized cuticle oil on and around your cuticles. I also like to carry it down the sides of the nail and bottom (fingertips) and rub it all in. During the prep process, it really dries them out so the most important step is restoring the moisture back. Even put some good moisturizing lotion on after the cuticle oil and rub it all in and leave it for a bit. It will feel so nice to have soft, moisturized hands with a fresh gel manicure! :) mmmm! work it, gurrrl!

Here are my beautiful results to my at-home gel manicure. Beautiful, right? I hope you all enjoyed this diy tutorial and hope it helped spark some creativity! You don't have to stop here! Add some designs like polka dots, stripes, flowers, hearts, whatever! Let your creativity flow <3

  

Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out my Etsy shop and other fun things I have on my Pinterest! Be crafty! ^_^