At Home Gel Nail Tutorial

Hi! My name is Caitlyn and through this Instructable I am going to show you how you can do your own gel nails from home. While going to the nail salon is nice, it can be pricy and time consuming. Doing it yourself makes it so you get the result you want for less cost!

Supplies

The tools that you will need are :

• Gel Nail Polish
• LED Nail Light
• Nail File
• Nail Clippers
• Nail Buffer
• Nail Polish Remover
• Cotton Balls

The Kit that I have is from Amazon and can be found here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YFJJSGF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Step 1: Remove Nail Polish

If you don't have on any nail polish then this step is already accomplished!

If you have on regular nail polish, you will grab nail polish remover and cotton balls. Start by slightly dampening the cotton balls with the nail polish remover and rubbing it over your finger nail. Once you have done this over all your nails, then you are ready for the next step!

If you have Gel Polish on, then the process of removing the nail polish will take a little longer. You will need to soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover, hold it against you finger for approximately 5 minutes, then use the nail file to get the polish off. The gel polish will come off quickly. Once this process is done to all fingers then you are ready for the next step! (P.S. If you want the process to go quicker, you can wrap foil around the cotton ball so it holds to your finger so all of your fingers can be soaking in the nail polish remover at the same time!)

Step 2: Cut Your Nails

This step is very simple! Cut your nails using Nail Clippers to your desired length. It doesn't have to look pretty (we will be filing them in the next step) but clipping your nails should get your nails in the length that you want them. If you have any hang nails or uneven nails, use the clippers to even it out!

Step 3: File Your Nails

The nail file is my favorite nail tool. This is because it makes such a big difference in how your nails look while being such a simple tool. Use the nail file against the top of our nail. Start using the nail file in a Sawing motion (moving left to right) until the area you are using the file against becomes smooth. You can use the nail files in different angles to obtain different nail shapes (rounded, square, etc.). For this tutorial, I recommend using the file to even out the nails so their is no sharp edges from clipping your nails and then making sure the shape of your nails is consistent throughout all of your fingernails.

Step 4: Buff Nails

This step is super easy. You are going to use the buffer in a saw motion just like we did in the last step with the nail file! What is different is you are not using it over your finger nail (the edge), you are using it over the entirety of your nail to smooth it out. There wont be much of a visual change but buffing your nails results in the nail polish applying smoother to the nail (no streaks).

Step 5: Apply Nail Primer

Now that we did all the pre-work, we are ready to start polishing! The first step in the polish process is to apply the Nail Primer to each nail. This product is purely to strengthen the nails before adding the polish. Make sure that the Nail Primer is applied to every nail, and apply it as if it is polish. Apply one swipe of polish from the cuticle to the nail in the center of your nail, then proceed to swipes of polish on either side until it covers your entire nail.

Step 6: Apply Base Coat

Second, We are going to apply the Base Coat. While this polish is clear, it is important that the polish applies evenly over the whole nail, no streaks or missing spots, because these will be seen later on once the polish is applied. The Base Coats purpose is to make the Gel start activating is an important step in the overall Gel Nail process!!

Step 7: Place Hand Under LED Lamp

Once the Base Coat is applied, you are going to place your hand under the LED lamp. All LED lamps are different, but on mine there is a button you push and a timer for 90 seconds begin and the Lamp turns on. There is nothing you need to do once the Lamp is done, just wait for the timer to finish! A word of advice, make sure your hand is placed so your fingers are directly underneath the LED lights! This will make is so the GEL polish works better!

Step 8: Apply Polish

Now we are ready to start painting our nails! Make sure you pick a color you like, and starting painting your nails. I would recommend painting a light layer of polish for multiple reasons: You will be applying another coat of polish later on, the lighter the layer of polish the more smooth the polish looks, and this helps the GEL dry quicker resulting in longer lasting nails!

Step 9: Place Hand Under LED Lamp

Once you have your first coat of nail polish on your nails place your hand under the LED Lamp. It is the same process as before. Place your nails under the LED bulbs in the Lamp, and leave your hand under the Lamp until the 90 second timer is over.

Step 10: Add Another Coat of Nail Polish

This step is a repeat of Step #8. Add a light layer of nail polish over all of your finger nails. Make sure the polish is even and there are no streaks or bubbles. How to avoid streaks and bubbles is going slowly and using the brush to remove any bubbles or streaks that appear while polishing.

Step 11: Place Hand Under LED Lamp

Place your hand under the LED lamp for 90 seconds. :)

Step 12: Apply Top Coat

This is the last step of the polishing process! Apply the clear top coat on top of your nails. The benefit of the top coat is that it keeps your nail polish more durable and prevents chipping! Apply a light layer, and make sure it is applied evenly. If desired, you can put your nails under LED light after applying top coat but it is not necessary.

Step 13: Enjoy Your Beautiful Gel Nails!!

I hope that this process helped you learn how to do Gel Nails at home! I really enjoy this method because it is quicker and cheaper then nail salon, and honestly who doesn't love a little self care?! Have a great day and thanks for reading.