I can’t tell you how grateful I am for deciding to learn how to do my own gel nails from home a few months ago! I was just getting so tired of going into the salon every 3 weeks, I wanted to find a better solution. And I figured out the best way to do my own gel nails at home just in time for quarantine 😉
Many of you girls are in a similar boat with grown out gel nails that you are desperate to fix, so here is exactly how I do my own gel nails from home. I linked to all the products I used. As of right now, most of them are all in stock online and still available to ship. Some items might have a bit more of a delivery delay than normal, but at least it will keep us all at home during this time.
I filmed the full tutorial on how I remove and do my gel nails at home on my Instagram here, and I’m breaking down all the products and steps here. I hope this helps some of you!
PRODUCTS NEEDED FOR REMOVING GEL NAILS AT HOME
STEPS FOR REMOVING GEL NAILS AT HOME
1. File across the nail with a coarse nail file to remove topcoat
2. Pour acetone in a glass bowl, tear off section of cotton ball and dip it in the acetone
3. Place acetone cotton ball on one nail and clamp a Soak Off Clip to the nail to hold it in place. Do this for every finger and wait for 5-7 minutes
4. Remove clips and scrape off gel nails with the cuticle pusher. If the gel stays attached, clamp the clips back on and leave on for a few more minutes.
5. File across to remove any remaining gel.
* You can also use tin foil in place of the Soak Off Clips. Tin foil will need to be cut ahead of time. This method is fine, but much messier than the clips.
*I always lay a towel down. Acetone is extremely strong and I don’t want it to get on any table surface.
PRODUCTS FOR DOING GEL NAILS AT HOME
Bowl of warm water
STEPS FOR DOING GEL NAILS AT HOME
1. Soak nails in a bowl of warm water
2. Trim nails with nail clippers
3. Apply Cuticle Eliminator, leave on for 2-5 minutes
4. Push back cuticles and trim around sides and cuticles with cuticle trimmer.
5. Soak for 1-2 min
6. Shape nails with nail file, then buff nails
7. Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (you’re already a pro at this *wink *wink)
8. Put on UV Shield Gloves
9. Apply Gelish PH Bond (this dried the nail and eliminates any dust particles on the nail, allowing the gel to stick to the nail better)
10. Apply Gelish Base Coat (thin coats! this is key), leave under UV light for 1 min
11. Apply 1 coat of gel polish (again, thin coats of polish each time), leave under UV light for 1 min
(*tip: on this first coat, swipe a thin layer of polish going horizontally across the very end of your nail. This will help it from lifting as the days/weeks go by)
12. Apply 2nd coat of gel polish, leave under UV light for 1 min
13. Apply 3rd coat of gel polish (if desired), leave under UV light for 2 min
14. Apply Gelish Top Coat, leave under UV light for 2 min
15. Nails will still be sticky! Apply rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball and rub on each nail and nails will be dry and shiny. (if you don’t have rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer will work! And we allll have hand sanitizer! The rubbing alcohol was the only item I couldn’t find in stock online.)
16. Apply a small drop of Cuticle Oil on each nail and rub in.
MY FAVORITE NEUTRAL & BLUSH GEL POLISH COLORS
Bubble Bath (very much a nude-pink. 2 coats for neutral, 3 coats for added color. This is the color I would suggest for the most neural blush shade and the one I use at home)
Mod About You (perfect purply pink color)
Lisbon Wants Moor (true blush color, love this one)
Don’t Bossa Nova Me Around (blush with purple undertones)