Girls! I was just reading the post about acrylic nails for $75.. Holy crap! It is so EASY to give yourself gels! Here's how:
1. Go on eBay or your local beauty supply that sells to the public. Buy these things:
A UV lamp (a one-time expense, could cost $50-$80 depending on the size and brand)
A small tub of UV gel (1 ounce, $10-$20, lasts for at least 20 applications)
A nail brush (I buy brushes at Wal-Mart $5 for a set of 5 different sizes. looks like the one here: http://www.forestnailandbeautycentre...el%20brush.JPG)
Two buffer blocks, preferably a coarse one and a fine one
A good, coarse nail file ($.79 at beauty supply)
Nail tips
Nail glue
Nail dehydrator fluid (also known as nail-prep liquid, or you can use OPI chip skip)
Rubbing alcohol
A stack of cut paper towels, to use as nail wipes
Instructions:
Prep:
1. Set aside at least one hour to do it, and take your time
2. Wash hands
3. Push back cuticles
4. Lightly buff nails with coarse buffer, just enough to remove the shine from the nail
5. Fit each nail with the right size tip
6. Apply dehydrator liquid ( this makes the gel stick for good)
6. Apply a very SMALL drop of glue(size of ballpoint pen ball) to nail tip, and FIRMLY press onto the tip of your nail for 10 seconds. Make sure to glue only the portion of the nail tip that has a groove
7. After gluing all the tips, trim with clippers or scissors to the desired length
8. Use coarse nail file to file down the plastic nail tip where it overlaps the natural nail so it more-or-less blends with natural nail
9. Use nail file to shape the nail tip into whatever shape you like
Applying gel:
1. Dip a medium-size nail brush into the gel and scoop a small amount (1/2 pea size)
*** the gel is very sticky and takes getting used to ***
2. Apply the gel as you would nail polish. Apply the necessary thickness so that the surface of the nail looks very smooth and you can't tell by looking at it sideways where the tip is glued.
3. Turn on UV lamp and cure the gelled nail(s) (you can do it one at a time if you want) for 3-4 minutes
4. Soak paper towel with rubbing alcohol and wipe the gelled nail until it is not sticky
REPEAT the application steps 3 times (you need 3 coats of gel on each nail)
For the finish:
1. Use coarse buffer to smooth out nail surfaces
2. Use fine buffer to smooth out the coarse buffer marks
3. Apply nail polish
***** you can use another coat of get as a top coat, and this will make you polish last at least a week, or you can use regular top coat, but the polish won't last as long.
I really hope someone will find this useful. Once you do this 2-3 times, it will be sooo easy! And it is way cheaper than going to the salon
Ta-ta!



Reply With Quote
I like that it wouldn't involve shaving off so much of your natural nail, though (I hate that part at the salon!).


I'd like to get some, but I was under the impression that they weren't as "strong" as acrylics. I really wanna try my luck at doing nails now.

Bookmarks