Nails are an important part of any girl’s appearance. They show whether a lady takes care of herself, whether she is neat, and what sense of style she has. Nowadays, getting a manicure is not a problem: there are salons on almost every corner. You can buy a manicure kit or, as a last resort, do it yourself.
Any woman will find a design to suit her taste. Some people love classic French manicure, some prefer nails in pastel colors, while others, on the contrary, advocate brightness and richness of colors.
Gel polish
This product is the middle ground between standard varnish and extension gel. This is where the name came from. Gel polish was created to provide long-lasting coverage and a rich palette of colors. Outwardly, it is no different from ordinary varnish, but in fact, in order for the product to harden, you need to hold your hands for two to three minutes under a special ultraviolet lamp. The coating lasts about two or even three weeks. But gel polish also has disadvantages: the difficulty of application and the cost of equipment.
Preparing tools
In order to get your nails in order and make an interesting manicure at home, you need to prepare certain tools and materials. It’s better, of course, not to choose the cheapest ones, otherwise a number of problems may arise and it will end up being more expensive. Everyone knows the saying “the miser pays twice.” It is recommended to carefully read the characteristics of the purchased tools and customer reviews. Next, we’ll tell you what tools you’ll need for a home manicure.
UV lamp (ultraviolet lamp) for drying nails. Nowadays, 36-watt lamps are mainly used in beauty salons and at home. They allow you to significantly speed up the drying process to 1-2 minutes. Some have a built-in fan, but this is not a required feature. The price range varies from 1100 rubles to 7000 rubles. There are also economical options of 9 watts up to 1000 rubles, but they dry one element much longer.
A manicure set that includes scissors, nippers, a double-sided cuticle pusher or orange sticks.
Polishing file – buff with a hardness of 900 grit. This file is used to polish the nail plate to improve the quality of adhesion to the gel polish.
Files for filing nails are often chosen in the shape of a boomerang. The gradation of hardness (grain) is important here. For natural nails, files with high abrasiveness, at least 500 and above, are preferred. For extensions, take more grainy files from 100 grit to 180. 4-sided files are very convenient. They are used for both grinding and polishing.
You can purchase an inexpensive manicure milling machine with various attachments for processing nails. Simple devices are suitable for home use, the price of which ranges from 1,700 rubles to 5,000 rubles. Power ranges from 18,000 to 25,000 rpm. Professionals use devices whose power ranges from 30,000 rpm. The most popular brand is Strong.
Thin, lint-free wipes are needed to remove excess material or sticky layer after drying.
Colored nails: gel polish
Initially, the gel was created to strengthen and lengthen nails. Then it was completely transparent. Technology has moved forward and now there are colored nail gels. The product lasts for three weeks, is protected from peeling, is environmentally friendly, and does not cause allergies. At the moment this is the most popular nail coating. Let's talk about it in more detail.
Choice of shades
Each person's taste preferences are individual. Thanks to the wide variety of colored gel polishes, fashionistas have the opportunity to choose any shade.
Gel polish palette
The choice can be based on several factors:
- the color of your favorite dress or shoes;
- season;
- mood;
- color of the main accessory;
- to match the design of a particular event.
However, it is not at all necessary to paint all your nails the same way. On the contrary, now the trend is multi-colored coating. For example, using the TNL gel polish shade palette, you can easily decorate each nail with a different color. A sort of rainbow design is created.
TNL gel polish palette
Usage
So, you purchased colored nail gel. How to use it? The answer to this question will please every girl with its simplicity. Covering nails with colored gel is carried out like painting with regular varnish.
Please note that the gel should be spread evenly over the entire nail plate. It is better to apply it in a thin layer to avoid unevenness, gaps, swelling and the appearance of air bubbles. Therefore, the question of how to apply colored gel to your nails should no longer be scary.
Some girls compare the use of gel with extensions. In fact, what they have in common can be traced only in the result, and the application technique is completely different.
Coating features
Gel polish is considered a new generation of nail products. This is a hybrid coating; it has both the qualities of a gel and a varnish. The material is characterized by a pleasant texture to work with; it spreads evenly over the prepared nail plate.
The fundamental difference between gel polish and conventional materials that women usually use at home is the need for drying in a special drying device (UV or LED lamp). Without a lamp, the varnish does not dry at all, even if the applied layer is very thin. Of course, this makes the work easier, since you can take your time with application, fearing the formation of stripes and bald spots. At the same time, to perform a manicure you will have to buy a lamp, which can be complicated by a large number of offers, since it is difficult for an unenlightened woman to choose an option with the required power.
Otherwise, gel polish is a unique material. It has a wide range of color shades and a lot of varieties that differ in texture effect. These are glossy, jelly, yogurt, magnetic, luminous varieties. Matte coatings with a textile effect are very popular today, as well as temperature options that darken in the cold and become light in the heat. At long lengths they create a unique gradient effect.
A distinctive feature of gel polish coatings is their compatibility with any decor without exception. This nuance is the decisive factor in choosing hybrid coatings. However, the execution technique has one significant drawback: it is lengthy and can take up to three hours. But if you consider that the varnish will last at least 2-3 weeks, this is quite justified. This will save time on daily updating your manicure with regular varnish, which very quickly loses its fresh appearance.
Another feature is the manicure technique itself. Unlike the usual technique, here you will have to apply layer by layer, drying each of them in a drying lamp for the required amount of time. It will not be possible to reduce the time or cheat, since all the flaws will be reflected in the rapid detachment of the materials used. It is necessary to understand that these varnishes require high-quality and careful work. You will have to correct errors before drying, then it will not be possible to do this.
How to apply
Before application, treat the skin around the nails. You need to rub special oils into the cuticle to soften and moisturize it. After this, degrease the skin using a cleaner. Give your nails the desired shape by pushing back the cuticles with a nail file.
Colored nail gel should be applied using a special technique. This technique depends on the color chosen.
Pastel shades are recommended to be applied in two layers to create a beautiful, pleasant color.
Dark colors are best applied in three very thin layers. It is important to ensure that each layer is absolutely even - otherwise so-called waves will appear on the nails, and the gel itself will not last long.
The number of layers required for application is usually indicated in the packaging instructions. The colored gel for nail design must be dried for two minutes under an ultraviolet manicure lamp. The finishing agent is also dried under a lamp. But you can use regular clear varnish instead. You don't need any equipment here - you just need to wait until the varnish dries on its own.
After the procedure, it is recommended to fix the colored nail gel using special cosmetics that are applied in a thin layer to the nails. For example, cosmetic oil.
The best manufacturers
Kodi Professional (Kodi)
The products of this brand are distinguished by good quality and a wide product line. Among the products produced are gel paints, which are bottled in small black jars (4 ml). The modeling gel, on the basis of which paints are made, is easy to apply without spreading to the sides. After drying, no sticky layer remains on the surface of the nail. The products are in demand among craftsmen, as they allow them to create flat, three-dimensional designs, and casting techniques.
The cost of the jar is 202 rubles.
E.Mi (Amy)
The hypoallergenic composition is available in branded 5 ml tubes. German quality was appreciated not only by craftsmen, but also by ordinary people. The assortment palette includes warm and cold tones. For convenience, ready-made sets are produced, but if necessary, you can purchase a specific item. New this season is paint for creating gold and mirror-silver finishes.
The cost of a tube is 550 rubles.
Miranda (Miranda)
The paint is available in small 7 ml jars. The affordable price does not reduce the quality of the product. The entire color range has rich tones. There are items that include fillers to create shimmer and shine. Economical consumption makes it possible to use the coating for a long time to create new nail designs and master different techniques.
The cost of the jar is 220 rubles.
RuNail (Runail)
Gel paint is produced in small jars of 5 and 8 ml. The consistency allows for convenient application of the liquid composition, which makes it possible for even beginners to use the product. The coating is ideal for creating artistic painting, French manicure, and flat design. The palette includes 15 shades that can be mixed.
The cost of a jar is 240-250 rubles.
How to delete
In order to remove the coating, you do not need to saw off the entire length. The gels contain chemicals that allow it to be removed using cosmetics. Acetone will do. They need to lubricate a cotton pad, apply it to the nail, and after the nail is saturated with liquid, seal it in foil and wait about ten minutes. After this, it will become noticeable that the colored nail gel has split into many parts and each of them can be carefully removed.
This procedure is carried out if there is an urgent need to change the color of the coating and then apply a new varnish.
