Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Do It Yourself gel nails

  1. #1
    Featured Member Meea's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Posts
    872
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts

    Default Do It Yourself gel nails

    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!

  2. #2
    Veteran Member xBlackBettyx's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    Posts
    476
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    Ooo. Wow, this is awesome. It would save a shitload of sets and fill ins!
    Aequitas Veritas
    Poster Formerly Known as MulattoKittyn


  3. #3
    God/dess Bella21's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2003
    Location
    SoCal
    Posts
    7,772
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 40 Times in 35 Posts

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    Oh hell no! I can't even do a decent job of putting on my own nail polish! I like that it wouldn't involve shaving off so much of your natural nail, though (I hate that part at the salon!).
    If you think school is hard, try being stupid.

  4. #4
    God/dess cinammonkisses's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Some Fat guys Lap!
    Posts
    9,647
    Thanks
    11
    Thanked 90 Times in 67 Posts

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    Quote Originally Posted by Bella21 View Post
    Oh hell no! I can't even do a decent job of putting on my own nail polish!
    LOL i've always been pretty good at doing my own nail polish. It's so funny to see a girl with a perfectly polished left hand, but the right hand looks like crap







    Some Douchebag: "[Pimp C] 12:43 am: its true we got to stick together the black people on SW CK you is teh condoleeza of SW"


  5. #5
    God/dess cinammonkisses's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Some Fat guys Lap!
    Posts
    9,647
    Thanks
    11
    Thanked 90 Times in 67 Posts

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    I think I may want to do this!







    Some Douchebag: "[Pimp C] 12:43 am: its true we got to stick together the black people on SW CK you is teh condoleeza of SW"


  6. #6
    Lola Rose
    Guest

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    Or the other way around!

  7. #7
    God/dess papillonluvr's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2006
    Location
    japan
    Posts
    3,724
    Thanks
    315
    Thanked 1,186 Times in 703 Posts
    My Mood
    Goofy

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    i hate to sound stupid, but whats the difference between gel nails and acrylics?
    "You can close your eyes to reality but not to memories -Stainslaw J. Lec

    Confuscius say: "Man who pull bra stap get bust in face"


  8. #8
    Banned LatinaRose's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Toronto 4 now...
    Posts
    4,876
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    Quote Originally Posted by cinammonkisses View Post
    LOL i've always been pretty good at doing my own nail polish. It's so funny to see a girl with a perfectly polished left hand, but the right hand looks like crap
    Haha, that's me! I can never polish my own nails.

  9. #9
    Featured Member Meea's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Posts
    872
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    The gel is much better for your nails, doesn't have any odour, and easy to do yourself. It can also be applied to natural nails for the sole purpose of keeping them strong and not breaking, and when they come off your natural nail isn't ruined at all.

  10. #10
    God/dess papillonluvr's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2006
    Location
    japan
    Posts
    3,724
    Thanks
    315
    Thanked 1,186 Times in 703 Posts
    My Mood
    Goofy

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    ahh. So theyre a healthier choice if you nails arent in the best shape to begin with. Cool.
    "You can close your eyes to reality but not to memories -Stainslaw J. Lec

    Confuscius say: "Man who pull bra stap get bust in face"


  11. #11
    God/dess cinammonkisses's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Some Fat guys Lap!
    Posts
    9,647
    Thanks
    11
    Thanked 90 Times in 67 Posts

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    Quote Originally Posted by Meea View Post
    The gel is much better for your nails, doesn't have any odour, and easy to do yourself. It can also be applied to natural nails for the sole purpose of keeping them strong and not breaking, and when they come off your natural nail isn't ruined at all.
    So why is it, that when I go to the nail place, they always say I dont want gel nails because they'll break faster?! 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.







    Some Douchebag: "[Pimp C] 12:43 am: its true we got to stick together the black people on SW CK you is teh condoleeza of SW"


  12. #12
    Newbie Eva_Jane's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2007
    Location
    South of the Border
    Posts
    7
    Thanks
    16
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    Silk wraps or generally nail wraps are good for the nails too. But you need to get hot oil manicures if you get acrylics done alot. It helps to recover the nail.

    -cosmetology school

  13. #13
    God/dess Bella21's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2003
    Location
    SoCal
    Posts
    7,772
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 40 Times in 35 Posts

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    Quote Originally Posted by cinammonkisses View Post
    So why is it, that when I go to the nail place, they always say I dont want gel nails because they'll break faster?!
    They aren't as strong, they'll lift and seperate easier... But I think it's worth it! I mean, as long as you're relatively careful with them and not doing manual labor... They have more of a natural look.
    If you think school is hard, try being stupid.

  14. #14
    God/dess cinammonkisses's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Some Fat guys Lap!
    Posts
    9,647
    Thanks
    11
    Thanked 90 Times in 67 Posts

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    Quote Originally Posted by Meea View Post
    A UV lamp (a one-time expense, could cost $50-$80 depending on the size and brand)
    I'm curious about how many watts would be needed?







    Some Douchebag: "[Pimp C] 12:43 am: its true we got to stick together the black people on SW CK you is teh condoleeza of SW"


  15. #15
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    May 2003
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    256
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts

    Default Re: Do It Yourself gel nails

    The best ones are 4X 9 watts. (i've been doing my research)
    I have a question:
    When your nails grow with the UV gel nails, do you just fill in the gaps or soak them in acetone and redo them all over again?

Similar Threads

  1. DIY Gel nails?
    By IsobelWren in forum Body Business
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-06-2012, 09:57 AM
  2. My gel nails are actually acrylic?!
    By StrawberrySwitchblade in forum Body Business
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 09-07-2008, 09:23 AM
  3. Gel nails - were they botched?
    By StrawberrySwitchblade in forum Body Business
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 07-09-2008, 08:22 AM
  4. DIY UV Gel Nails
    By toriloren in forum Body Business
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-03-2008, 10:03 PM
  5. Removing Gel Nails?
    By Cally in forum Body Business
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 01-02-2006, 01:27 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •