A prerequisite for a modern woman is beautiful and well-groomed hands. But due to the constant lack of time, doing manicures regularly (every week and a half) is simply not possible. Therefore, the gel polish system is considered real magic: it is long-lasting and does not require constant correction.
The modern beauty industry offers the fair sex a large selection of nail coatings. This is a regular varnish, a varnish that lasts up to two weeks on the hands and up to four on the legs, a system of gel and acrylic extensions, polygel (a hybrid of gel and acrylic), as well as the most popular and in demand procedure - gel polish. Let's look at it in more detail.
Rules for applying gel polish
In order to answer the exciting question of whether it is possible to apply gel polish without a base, you should learn the rules for applying the composition.
- First you need to prepare the nail plate. Shape the nail, push back the cuticle and remove the pterygium.
- Next, we buff the nail to remove excess shine and even out the nail plate.
- We remove dust and degrease the nail.
- Apply primer. The nails should lighten a little, which means that the scales have opened up to adhere to the material.
- Next, apply the base and dry it in a lamp.
- Now it's time for the color coating, the gel polish itself.
- And at the end - top coat.
Important points
The main advantages of using shellac:
- The ability to create a durable nail coating that will last a long time and will not be scratched.
- Protection of nails from delamination and mechanical damage.
- Frequent use does not harm the nail plates; it is allowed during pregnancy and allergic diseases.
- A variety of colors to create original patterns.
- To remove the coating, you do not need to visit a beauty salon; it is easily washed off with a special product.
Recommendations for use:
- Do not allow the nail coating to come into contact with creams and fatty oils. This will lead to cracks and splits.
- It is recommended to do the procedure in salons, since without a lamp it is impossible to create the perfect layer of gel polish. In addition, certain skills are required to perform.
- In the presence of fungal diseases, the procedure is contraindicated.
Is it possible to apply gel polish without a base?
The base is the key to a good and high-quality manicure. It protects the nail plate from the adverse effects of gel polish, ensures adhesion of the natural nail to the coating and prevents the penetration of coloring pigments into it. If you are allergic to gel polish, the base will help protect you from the consequences. If you don’t apply a base, your manicure won’t last even a couple of days; everything will quickly fall off and chip. Is it possible to apply gel polish without a base? The answer is clear: of course not.
What is shellac?
This product is a nail coating that simultaneously combines the features of varnish and gel. It allows you to create an interesting manicure and give it strength. The packaging is very similar to nail polish bottles, complete with brushes for application. Shellac does not contain formaldehydes, monomers, or resins, so it will not harm health and is safe during pregnancy.
Shellac
Application to the nail plates should be quick and even. To dry the coating, just hold your nails in front of a UV lamp. Shellac can last for two weeks, then it comes off. After it, your nails will be in excellent condition, and for 1-2 months you will no longer need to go to a manicurist.
Women often wonder: is it possible to use regular nail polish with shellac? The answer is negative, since these coatings have different textures that are incompatible with each other. The varnish will not last long on such a base.
Gel polish - what kind of system is it?
There are two gel polish systems: three-phase and single-phase. What does this mean?
A three-phase system consists of three components, each of which is placed in a separate container.
- A base that provides adhesion to gel polish.
- The color coating itself.
- The finishing coat, also called the topcoat, which secures the coating.
This coating is durable and will provide you with a beautiful manicure for three weeks. But you should remember that all these steps must be followed and under no circumstances interchange them. Is it possible to apply gel polish without a base in a three-phase system? No, this should not be done under any circumstances.
A single-phase system is also called “three in one”. One bottle contains all three components at once - base, color and fixative. This is a kind of express option. But it has significant drawbacks. It is not suitable for everyone, its durability is much shorter than that of a three-phase system and, most importantly, you cannot design it. So this option is definitely not suitable for lovers of rhinestones, sliders and sparkles.
It turns out that gel polish without a base can only be applied if you use a single-phase system.
What role does the base play?
The three main components used when performing a manicure are the base, the main pigment (usually in 2 layers), and the top. However, sometimes women who carry out the procedure on their own do not see the point in using the first stage before gel polish, which is why they neglect it, reducing the quality of the work.
Despite the fact that gel polish is a dense coating that hardens firmly when polymerized in an ultraviolet or LED lamp, it should only be distributed onto a previously prepared surface.
Preparation for shellac has several main functions:
- Leveling the nail bed, eliminating minor cosmetic defects of the nail;
- Increased adhesion of pigment to natural coating;
- Increasing the saturation of the applied shade, it becomes brighter;
- Preventing damage to the sensitive area during future removal of the work;
- Extends the time the effect lasts; due to the tight fit of the gel polish to the nail, it does not chip or cracks appear;
- Preventing the impact of aggressive external factors on the surface.
Also, if the colored base accidentally comes off the nail, the risk of pathogenic microflora, which can lead to a fungal infection, is reduced.
Applying the base usually takes up to 10 minutes, since you don’t need to level it yourself; it spontaneously spreads over the bed, but you extend the life of the manicure in its previous state. The effect of such preparation can lead to the fact that it will last for more than a month.
In addition, shellac is often of poor quality, which deteriorates the visual condition of the work. Proper application of the foundation will help make it neater and make the girl’s hand more well-groomed.
Top best gel polishes
There are a huge number of brands of gel polishes. It’s easy to get lost in them, especially for a beginner. We present the ten best product manufacturers.
- CND is rightfully considered the best company. It was the creators of this brand who were the first to combine gel and varnish in one bottle. Their products are considered luxury, and many people rely on them.
- Kodi professional.
- Masura.
- Opi.
- Orly.
- TNL.
- Bluesky.
- RuNail.
- Canni.
- Lovely.
Each manufacturer has its own pros and cons. Price, consistency, brush, durability, color palette and other characteristics.
Which option to choose for your nails is a purely individual matter. It all depends on your desire, capabilities and time. Having considered the question of whether it is possible to paint gel polish without a base, we figured out that this cannot be done if it is a three-phase system. And with single-phase it’s very possible.
Common questions when using shellac
Let's consider the questions that are often asked by girls who want to do the coating themselves.
- Can shellac be used for stamping? Yes, this combination for stamping is often found. If the applied pattern turns out to be uneven or you don’t like it, it can be easily wiped off with an acetone-free liquid. In this case, the base will not be damaged. Patterns for stamping should be applied with regular enamel.
- How possible is it to make shellac without a base? Can I use gel under shellac? The procedure requires not only the gel polish itself, but also additional products. It is impossible to apply shellac without a base and top coat, because they perform very important functions: they protect from an unfavorable external environment, ensure adhesion of the varnish substance to the nail, hide the grooves on the nail plate and strengthen the nails. It is necessary to take into account the quality characteristics of the base.
- Can shellac be used without a lamp? This is a pressing question, because the cost of the lamp is quite high, and I really want to make shellac at home. There are types of gel polishes that are insensitive to light and require simple air drying. But in most cases, the base simply will not harden without a lamp. Before purchasing, you should read the information on the jar.
- Can I use shellac from different brands? It is advisable to use kits from one manufacturing company, and not from different companies. The products are designed to interact with each other; they will work as a whole to enhance the properties of the gel polish. It is permissible to use foundation and base coat from different companies only as a last resort. In general, they should be the same brand.
- Is it possible to apply shellac to extended nails? Yes, you can use this option; it is almost no different from applying it to the nail itself. At the same time, some points should be taken into account: extended nails should not be thick. Otherwise, the nail plate will look even more massive.
We can conclude that the use of shellac is very practical and allows you to apply bright patterns to your nails. High-quality shellac can only be made in salons, because the procedure requires special bases and a UV lamp.
How to use and apply the product correctly
The application process is quite simple and convenient. It can be done either in a specialized salon or independently. Even those who do not know how to apply nail polish themselves can perform this procedure.
First of all, the nail plates are prepared. The free edge, hangnails and cuticle are treated. In order for the artificial material to have better bonding, the top layer of the nail is sanded off with a buff. Use a special brush to remove dust. How to choose children's cosmetics for newborns is described in this article.
Then, the nail plates are thoroughly disinfected. The main thing is to prevent bacteria from getting under the gel polish. The next step is to apply an acid primer to your nails. In order not to cause irritation, step back a little from the cuticle, as well as from the pre-nail ridges, and treat the nail plates with it. The brush must be applied to the middle of the nail and applied in a thin, even layer.
If the primer gets on the skin of your hands, immediately wash them thoroughly. After completing the application process, the product must be dried in air or under a UV lamp.
You can determine the degree of drying by the shade of your nails. When applying an acidic product, they will turn white. The instructions for use contain a detailed description of its use.
What can replace the primer? Before applying gel polish, degreasing can be done with vinegar or acetone. But to lift the scales of the nail plate, only a primer is used. No other means can do this. So it’s better not to make a replacement. Read here which baby shampoos without sulfates and parabens you should prefer.
How to use nail primer?
Regardless of whether an acidic or acid-free primer is used, there are general rules for its use.
Therefore, before you extend your nails or start a manicure, you must follow these recommendations:
- Before applying the primer, the nail must be pre-treated. It needs to be sharpened with a file or sanded with a machine. Also perform other steps of a standard manicure.
- Remove the cuticle with a special stick, buff or pumice stone.
- It is important to ensure that the primer does not come into contact with the skin around the nail to avoid burns and irritation.
- Treat the surface of the nail plate with a dehydrator to remove fat and stickiness.
- When applying the primer for the first time, you need to drop it on the center of the nail. After the product has spread over its surface and dried, you need to repeat the procedure again.
- Remove excess primer with a cotton swab dipped in water.
- It is better to apply the product in a thin layer, otherwise the scales of the nail surface will open worse.
- The primer does not need to be dried under a special lamp, unless there is a special instruction about this in the instructions.
- Apply base, colored varnish, decor if necessary, and top coat.
If there is no primer when applying varnishes, read on to see how you can replace it.
Conclusion
When choosing an alternative option, you must remember that the coating may not be as durable, durable and aesthetically pleasing as using a professional primer. The reason for this is the manufacturer’s development of the component composition, taking into account the greatest compatibility with the preprimer, base base, gel polish or other colored coating, top. But simple home remedies can help out in the absence of a primer, if you initially do not plan to wear the created coating with the design for a long time. In this case, it is quite acceptable to replace a professional product with a budget one.
Shellac and biogel
Today, many girls, taking care of their nail health, use biogel. This is a substance created on the basis of natural components, which is intended to strengthen nails. In essence, this is a medicinal composition that is offered in several shades. In turn, shellac is a gel polish used for decorative finishing of nails. Experts believe that it is possible to combine these two compositions, but subject to certain rules. The most important thing for getting a flawless manicure is the correct application of biogel. If the method of using this product is followed, the result will please you for a long time. If biogel is used as a base, then no additional products are used. Gel polish is applied over the biogel and secured with a finishing layer. By following the technology, the result is a beautiful manicure without chips or scratches.
