Gel polish without drying in a lamp: how to dry it at home, with what, how long it takes to dry, what brand racks are available

Gel polish without drying in a lamp is an option for applying a durable coating to your nails at home. Such materials do not require a base, can be applied in one or several layers, have a wide range of colors, are durable for up to 7 days, and sometimes do not require the use of a top coat. You can dry gel polish with sunlight, air, water or special catalysts of liquid or creamy consistency.

The cost of gel polishes that do not require drying in a lamp ranges from 200-800 rubles; a low price does not always indicate low quality of the material.

Features of gel polish without drying in a lamp

Gel polish without drying in a lamp is a decorative coating that hardens on nails with the help of a special catalyst (it can be included in a kit or sold as an independent product unit). The catalyst can have a liquid or cream consistency; some manufacturers produce gel polishes that dry when exposed to water.

There are several similar varnishes on the market:

insensitive - dry exclusively naturally;

aqueous – hardens only after contact with water;
biogel - used strictly for health purposes and dries without drying in a lamp;
Brigitte Bottier is a new product in the nail industry that hardens naturally.

Most often, gel polishes without drying in a lamp are hybrids - “3in1” or “2in1”, when the coating already contains hardeners.

We recommend reading the article on how to do a manicure with red gel polish. From it you will learn about manicure design options for short and long nails and application techniques. And here is more information about how to remove shellac at home.

Will it dry without a UV lamp?

Some gel polishes dry without a UV lamp, but the process will take quite a long period of time, and the durability of the coating is questionable - it is useless to expect a perfect manicure for 3 weeks.

Is it possible to do a shellac manicure without a lamp?

You can do a manicure without a lamp and with shellac, the process will proceed faster, because in this case it does not involve applying a base layer and a final one. The only thing worth paying attention to is the instructions on the bottle with a decorative coating.

Some shellacs are produced only for use with subsequent drying in a lamp; there are options for hardening the layer in water or in air (under natural conditions). In the latter cases, the bottle must be marked “No lighte gel”.

Gel polish marked “No lighte gel”

Advantages of hybrids

Advantages of using hybrids that do not require drying in a lamp:

The decorative coating is easy to apply evenly on the nail;
there is no stage of sawing off the surface of the plate - the risk of injury and introduction of an infectious agent is minimal;
there is no need to use a primer during the process, which negatively affects the condition of the nail;
there is no harmful effect of ultraviolet rays on the nails and skin of the hands - they do not dry out;
It only takes a few minutes for the decorative coating to harden;
a wide range of color shades and effects, but mirror, matte, holographic and other coatings will take a little longer to dry than classic glossy ones;
easy removal of gel polish - done with regular nail polish remover;
Such gel polishes often contain nutritional components.

Gel polishes without drying in a lamp
The most important “plus” of the coating is that it can be applied at home independently and for this you do not need to purchase special equipment or complete professional training courses.

Flaws

Unfortunately, gel polishes without drying in a lamp also have individual disadvantages:

if the varnish is of poor quality, the coating will be dull;
Almost always such a gel must be applied in 2-3 layers, otherwise it will not lie evenly;
the multilayer coating takes a long time to dry and still remains somewhat soft - physical impact leaves marks on it;
if you use such a decorative coating, then over time the nail plate will become colored;
the finished coating retains its flawlessness for a maximum of 7 days, and much less with active exposure to water and contact with aggressive liquids/powders.

Manufacturers introduce frankly toxic substances into the composition of such gel polishes - formaldehyde, resins, toluene, camphor of synthetic origin, dibutyl phthalate. All of them are dangerous to human health, so experts recommend choosing a product labeled “3-free” or “5-free”.

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Do I need to dry the top?

The top should be dried in a lamp - this is the recommendation given by all professionals. Otherwise, after 2-3 days it will be removed from the decorative coating with a thin film.

If a woman fundamentally does not want to use an ultraviolet or LED lamp in a manicure, or she does not have such equipment, then instead of a classic top coat, you should use a colorless regular varnish - it will simply add shine to the decorative coating.

Why does the coating come off quickly and completely?

Detachment of the coating is associated with improper nail preparation and gel polish application technique. The main reasons why this happens:

Improper processing of the natural nail plate is one of the most common culprits why gel polish peels off along with the base.

It is important to completely remove the cuticle and sand the nail plate. Poorly removed gloss and dust residues interfere with the adhesion of the base coat and the nail. When sanding, the main thing is not to overdo it and not to grind down the nail plate too much

On a thin nail, the layer will adhere worse, and when drying in a lamp, painful sensations will occur. Insufficient degreasing or skipping this step is a typical mistake for beginners. The fat layer prevents the base from attaching well to the nail. It is necessary to wipe the plate with a napkin after sanding, paying special attention to the base of the nail and the area near the rollers. Use a primer or ultrabond to dehydrate. The gel does not apply well to nails that are not dry enough, so skipping this step is not recommended. It is very important to follow the application technique and monitor the thickness of the coating: too much material does not polymerize completely, and a thin layer will not provide the required strength. The gel should not get on the nail folds and cuticles. Anyone doing a manicure needs to monitor the condition of their lamp. If the radiation power is insufficient, the product will not polymerize. After some time, the coating will begin to swell, burst and peel off. The use of low-quality materials affects the final result. If the master or you decide to save on the base, top and pigment, then there is nothing to be surprised about the short-lived manicure. It is advisable to use products from American manufacturers or other proven brands. It is also not recommended to combine materials from different companies, especially for beginners. As a rule, experienced craftsmen come to their favorite manufacturers and products through trial and error.

Many girls neglect manicure care. It is better not to come into contact with water for the first 2 hours after the procedure and not to test the strength of the manicure with excessive mechanical stress.

It is impossible to exclude the influence of individual characteristics of the body on the final result. Under their influence, the same manicure can be worn differently.

Humidity has a negative impact on the durability of the coating, and some people suffer from overhydration.
On a thin nail plate, the gel adheres worse, and the strength of the nail is less - there is a risk of breaking it. To avoid this, you need to strengthen the nail with gel.
The presence of irregularities, tubercles, and cracks reduce the quality of adhesion between the coating and the nail. Before applying gel polish, you need to level the nail plate. Many masters do this with gel, simultaneously using it as a base coat.
Taking antibiotics, antidepressants, diabetes, hormonal imbalances and even the phase of the female cycle can cause coating detachment.

How to dry gel polish without a lamp at home and what you can do

How and with what you can dry gel polish without a lamp at home:

Catalyst . It is suitable for applying insensitive gel polishes to nails; it is applied to plates already coated with a coloring composition and can be of a liquid or creamy consistency. In the first case, you need to literally apply a drop of catalyst to each nail - it will spread and harden on its own. The creamy catalyst is applied to the nails and lightly rubbed into them.
Water . Dipping already painted nails into a bath of cool water and thus getting the decorative coating to harden is only possible if a special water-based gel polish is used for the manicure.

In a complicated way . Each applied layer of decorative coating must be treated with an activator. It has a creamy consistency and is rubbed into the nail plate. After this, you will need to dip your fingers in a bath of cool water.

How to dry shellac

You can also dry shellac without using a special lamp:

ice water - fingers are dipped in cold water or placed in the freezer;
coating with cold materials - before applying the gel polish, place the bottle with it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, then quickly apply it to the nail plates;
using a cyanoacrylate-based catalyst - literally 1 drop on the nail spreads and hardens quickly, simultaneously fixing the color coating.

Nails coated with shellac can be kept in the sun - drying will be very long, but quite effective. Some people use a regular hairdryer, but results can only be achieved if it is powerful and can produce a cold stream of air. For these simplest methods of drying shellac, you only need to apply one coat.

How to coat

Applying a decorative coating without further use of a drying lamp requires taking into account some nuances , and first you need to prepare everything for the procedure:

gel polish of the selected color;
file;
buff, but exclusively with a soft texture;
catalyst, if necessary for drying the coating.

Buff with a soft texture Set of gel polishes Sally Hansen Miracle Gel File 3D shine without drying in a lamp
The application algorithm is as follows:

Use a file to process each nail, giving them the desired shape.
Use a buff to remove the gloss from the nail plate; movements should be performed without any effort.
Apply the varnish using gentle movements.
Fix the color coating with a catalyst, if this is provided for in the instructions for the gel polish.

In order for the color of your nails to become saturated, you need to make a bath of cool water - 15 minutes of keeping your fingers in the water is enough to strengthen your nails and calm them down after the aggressive procedure of filing them.

Watch the video on how to do a gel manicure without a lamp:

Pupa "Lasting Color Gel"

Nail gel polish with glass effect.

What the manufacturer promises: a range of exclusive extra-shiny shades with a “glossy” effect for a bright and long-lasting result.

Reviews from forums about Pupa nail polish “Lasting Color Gel”:

Irina, review:

“The polish has a gel texture, is easy and quick to apply, does not require any additional bells and whistles, looks impressive, and shines like an expensive manicure. This is one of the positive aspects. On the negative side: it fades very quickly, even if you wash dishes with gloves; after a couple or three days there will be no trace left of the “glass effect.”

Victoria, review:

“The Lasting Color Gel polish is easy to apply, long-lasting, lasted 4 days at sea in perfect condition and only then began to chip off at the tips of the nails. The varnish dries very quickly. I liked that the color on the nails turned out bright and saturated, even in one layer! After a manicure, nails shine, the varnish gives a fashionable glossy finish, and in some way actually resembles glass.”

How long does it take for gel polish to dry without a lamp?

Gel polish dries on average 15-20 minutes without a lamp, but much depends on the specific type of decorative coating:

if drying involves only a natural method (in air), then it will take an average of 30-50 minutes;
under direct sunlight (typical for shellac) - about 60 minutes;
Gel polish dries in water for a maximum of 15 minutes;
By placing your fingers in the freezer, 2-3 minutes are enough for the coating to completely harden.

How to paint

The first stage of preparation for the procedure is quite traditional. You need to carefully push back the cuticle, remove excess skin, and clean the surface of the nail plate from traces of dirt and grease. If the nail is split, it must be carefully trimmed with a nail file. In this case, it is necessary to avoid wet manicure, since the absorbed moisture will subsequently lead to the appearance of blisters on the surface of the varnish coating.

At the second stage, a special primer is applied, which serves to ensure more reliable adhesion of the varnish to the surface of the nail. The primer is safe for the nail plate and acts as a kind of primer that strengthens weak nails. It is also used to process the end of the nail plate.

The third stage requires special patience, since now you need to apply several layers and give each one time to dry. First, the master thinly applies a base gel, which ensures a strong bond between the keratin that makes up the nails and the synthetic gel. It prevents the coloring pigment from penetrating into the deeper layers of the nail plate.

Gel polish is applied on top of the base in two or three thin layers, very carefully, bypassing the side rollers and cuticle. The last layer applied is a special finishing gel.

When it is completely dry, the top dispersion layer is removed with a special product, which gives the manicure a salon shine and moisturizes the nail plate.

After application, each layer must dry completely. Ultraviolet or LED lamps are used for this procedure. Under the influence of light rays, the gel polish firmly adheres to the previous layer due to the polymerization process.

Professionals use special equipment that must match the brand of decorative coating. Most often used:

UV lamps with a power of 36 W, which dry the coating in 40 seconds, however, due to its size, such equipment is more suitable for beauty salons;
nine-watt UV lamps, which work slower, 1.5 - 3 minutes, but are less cumbersome and good for home use;
LED lamps are more economical than ultraviolet lamps, but no less effective.

The first 2 layers of gel polish should be dried for at least 2-3 minutes under nine-watt UV lamps (40 seconds under LED or UV lamps at 36 W), the last, third layer - one and a half minutes (under a UV lamp at 9 W) or 40 sec. under LED or high-power UV lamps.

Professional lamps significantly speed up the drying process, and if all deadlines are met, your fresh varnish coating will not be afraid of contact with any objects.

Long-lasting nail polishes without a lamp: a review of popular companies

There are a lot of long-lasting nail polishes without a lamp on the market from popular companies and little-known ones (Sally Hansen, Laimoni, Pupa and others), their cost varies, but low does not at all symbolize low quality.

Sally Hansen

This company's line includes only 6 bright shades, but they are enough to create an original manicure. The gel polish contains an oligomer and a photoinitiator, which polymerize when exposed to sunlight. This decorative coating is applied without prior degreasing of the nail plate and without applying a base; the brightness and integrity of the varnish is maintained for 5-7 days.

The cost of Sally Hansen gel polish, which dries without a lamp, is no more than 500 rubles. It is sold together with a top coat, which provides a glossy shine to the manicure.

Limoni

The varnishes from this manufacturer apply in an absolutely even layer and dry very quickly - 10 minutes is enough to get a durable coating with a glossy shine. Gel polish can be removed with regular liquid and acetone. The composition of the varnish is unknown because the manufacturer chose to keep it secret. Therefore, experts recommend making sure there are no allergies before performing a manicure.

The price of gel polish from Limoni ranges from 600 rubles.

Pupa

It features a wide range of color shades, dries in 15 minutes and provides a glossy color finish without the use of a hardener. The gel polish itself has a thick texture, so it lies on the nail plates without smudges or any unevenness. After the coating has completely dried, it resembles a glass mosaic and when exposed to sunlight, it “plays” with multi-colored highlights.

The price of the bottle is only 200-230 rubles; women note the comfortable and moderately hard brush, which is able to work on all hard-to-reach areas of the nails due to its easy gliding.

Vivienne Sabo

This manufacturer has launched a gel polish on the market that applies to nails without bubbles or roughness and without drying in a lamp. The bottle contains a convenient brush, which is quite soft and paints a large area of the nail plate in one “pass”. The line has all possible color shades.

The cost of gel polish does not exceed 210 rubles per bottle.

CND

This brand has been operating in the nail industry market for a long time, its products are distinguished by impeccable quality characteristics. Gel polish, which does not require drying in a lamp, is applied evenly, does not form bubbles or roughness, and applies well even in two layers. The range of colors is sufficient to create any manicure.

The cost of the bottle is about 600 rubles, but this price is justified: the composition of the gel polish is safe for health, rarely causes allergies, and the coating retains its shade and integrity for 10 days.

El Corazon

The gel polishes from this manufacturer contain both natural and artificial ingredients, together they have a restorative, healing effect on the nail plate, although weakly expressed. But the manufacturer does not hide the fact that he included formaldehyde in the gel polish - a component that ensures quick drying of the decorative coating without a lamp.

The cost of gel polish ranges from 500 rubles.

Belor Design

This is a brand from Belarus that has launched gel polishes on the market with minimal drying time without a lamp and in a wide variety of color shades. Such varnishes are distinguished by their resistance to water and even external physical influences - if you exclude chips from impacts, abrasion of your fingertips after working without gloves, then you will need to do a new manicure no earlier than in 2 weeks.

Nail polish Belor Design Podium Gel Effect

The price of Belarusian gel polishes is quite affordable - about 300 rubles per bottle.

Evelin

The well-known brand has launched high-quality gel polishes on the market, without containing dangerous, toxic substances. The coating dries quickly and lies flat on the nail plate without bubbles or smudges. The durability of the gel polish is stated by the manufacturer to be 7 days, but experts still recommend following the rules of carefully “wearing” a manicure.

The price of the bottle is about 700-800 rubles, many experts consider it slightly overpriced.

Lumene

The low cost of gel polishes from this manufacturer does not mean low quality at all - the coating has clear advantages:

does not contain harmful components;
dries in just 15 minutes;
lays down evenly.

But there is also a distinct drawback of gel polishes from Lumene - they contain natural plant-based ingredients, which can provoke a fairly strong allergic reaction.

The price of a bottle of gel polish that does not require drying in a lamp is about 400 rubles.

Avon

The price of gel polishes is low, the quality is not the highest, but quite tolerable - the coating can withstand a wear time of 5-7 days. It is necessary to take into account that the coating may lie unevenly and with bubbles, and to prevent this from happening, experts still recommend degreasing the nail plate.

The price of the bottle does not exceed 200 rubles; the variety of colors is dominated by pastel shades.

Weekly gel polish effect

Gel polishes with a weekly effect are decorative coatings that dry under the influence of light waves. The longer you wear this manicure, the harder and more stable it will become. The varnishes are positioned as a “manicure for a week”, and this fully corresponds to the stated characteristics, but only if the coating is applied to absolutely healthy nails and the application technique is followed.

The most famous varnish gels with a weekly effect are Solaris and Binary; they have the following features:

applied in two layers;
require the use of a top coat or any fixing varnish;
no need to pre-apply base;
if the nails are damaged or weakened, it is recommended to renew the coating every 2-3 days;
The brush allows you to apply the gel polish evenly, without streaks or smudges.

Long lasting varnish from Binary

Color palette of varnish gel coatings from Bluesky

Among the more than 80 shades released, the Bluesky brand has something to please and surprise, satisfying the tastes of any age audience. The excellent pigmentation and density of any varnish from the color palette makes them an excellent choice for both ultra-glossy and trendy matte manicures.

Textural variety includes shades:

classic marshmallow-pastel enamel;
shades of noir (black and gray) and vamp (scarlet wine);
coatings with a shimmer effect (from micropearl to small glitter and large sparkles);
varnishes with a color scheme close in saturation to neon;
and even coatings with an effect visually close to chameleon rubs.

Within the same color direction, Bluesky has developed shades that are more suitable for aging skin, and vice versa, emphasizing the tenderness and grace of young hands. Familiar and almost banal, pink color is presented in both shades (cold and warm), thereby making it possible to beautifully decorate the nails of both snow-white women and girls with olive-toned skin.

The trendy colors of the year 2022 (according to Pantone) are also not ignored, opening the way to the hearts of a young audience who are vigilantly following the trends in manicure fashion. Among the many colors, lovers of modest and discreet “office” shades have room to roam, shining in shades of white and cream.

How to properly tame your manicure with vinylluxes from Bluesky, including “putty” or ultra-bright colors? Let's study!

An alternative to gel polish without a lamp

Gel polish that dries without a lamp should not be constantly applied to the nails, so it is worth choosing an alternative, and these options include:

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro - the composition does not contain harmful components, the coating is quite stable and retains its color, gloss and evenness of the coating for 5 days;
Essie Gel Couture - available in 32 colors, can be applied in two layers to obtain a more saturated shade, does not require a base coat, can be removed with regular nail polish remover;
Zoya Professional Lacquer - does not contain formaldehyde and toluene, the coating is simply removed from the nail plate, does not stain it or have a harmful/destructive effect, has a convenient brush and does not leave smudges or streaks when applied;
Irisk Professional Eternail is a complete imitation of a gel coating, dries in air for 3 minutes, is applied in one layer, the bottle contains a narrow and rounded brush, the varnish lies on the surface of the nail without streaks or streaks.

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Essie Gel Couture Zoya Professional Lacquer Irisk Professional Eternail

Shellac coated manicure tools

Before you start using Shellac at home, you need to prepare a certain list of necessary tools:

disinfectant, dehydrator, sticky layer remover, primer, base, Shellac gel polish, finishing agent. Moreover, the disinfectant and primer can be neglected, but the remaining products must be available.
UV device or special LED lamp.
manicure set: nail file; buff used for polishing and grinding; orange sticks.

Primer is a material applied as a primer before the base coat. Performs a number of functions: protecting the nail plate from delamination, microorganisms and stains; provides better adhesion to the nail of subsequent layers of manicure.

Can regular varnish dry under a UV lamp?

Regular varnish does not dry under a UV lamp because it contains:

pigments – provide color to the coating;
polymers - make the top layer shiny;
plasticizers - make the coating durable and elastic at the same time;
solvents.

The latter are needed to harden the layer - the solvent evaporates in the air, which makes the decorative coating resistant to abrasion.

Small fan-dryer for manicure

Why does the UV lamp not dry gel polish?

Sometimes the UV lamp does not dry the gel polish, in which case the reasons may lie in the following:

The gel polish has expired or the material was stored incorrectly;
the lamps in the equipment have not been changed for a long time and have become less powerful;
gel polish is intended for drying exclusively in LED lamps;
the layer of color coating is too thick;
low quality gel polishes.

Sometimes the varnish does not dry because too much pigment is added to its composition - this is the difference between materials of light, pastel shades. Experts recommend applying such coatings in an extremely thin layer - it is better to make several of them and dry each one thoroughly in a lamp.

More manufacturers:

— Avon “Gel finish” — nail polish “gel effect”;

— DiorVernis - polish with gel effect;

— Isa Dora “Gel Nail Lacquer”;

— SNS (SignatureNailSystems) — gel powder without drying in a UV lamp;

— Severina “Vinyl” with gel polish effect.

As you already understood, many gel polishes are very similar. The main disadvantage is that they do not last as long as we would like, and as the manufacturer claims. Don't believe promises of super durability. For comparison, shellac can really be “wearable” for up to three weeks, with a gel effect, judging by the reviews from the forums, at best one!

Why do you need to dry under ultraviolet light? Is it necessary?

Gel polish must be dried in a lamp, unless otherwise indicated on the package, but this is necessary for:

strong adhesion of all layers of coating to the nail plate;
obtaining a solid colored layer, its resistance to external influences;
securing the top.

By drying the coating in a lamp, you can achieve the longest possible period of wearing a manicure - up to 3 weeks, if you protect the gel polish from impacts and aggressive liquids.

Instructions for extensions using tips

The process of nail extension using tips is divided into the following stages:

first you need to treat your hands and nail plate with an antibacterial agent and do a classic trimmed manicure;
prepare the nail plate for gluing tips by cutting off the top layer with a file, creating roughness;
remove excess nail dust by brushing with a wide brush;
select the tips according to the width of the nail, so that it covers the nail from edge to edge;
apply special glue to the base of the tip that will be attached to the nail;
Next, you need to carefully glue the tips; if the adhesive mass goes beyond the edges, it must be removed with a lint-free cloth;
bring the tips to the desired appearance, namely shape and length, cutting off or cutting off excess tips with special tip pliers;
use an abrasive file to file down the edge of the transition until it is invisible;
remove excess dust using a wide brush and apply primer;
apply modeling gel, drying each layer;
apply the main gel in two or three layers, drying each for 2 minutes using a lamp;
apply a standard coating and dry for 2 minutes under a lamp;
if you plan to create a design, then this step is always performed after the finishing coat;
treat the base of the nail with cuticle care oil.

If the gel polish is not dried under a lamp, what will happen?

You can avoid drying gel polish under a lamp, but for this you should choose specific materials with the appropriate instructions on the bottle. But such materials are still characterized by low stability - they are worn for no more than 5 days in a row, the surface remains soft and even when lightly pressed with a sharp object, marks and cuts remain.

We recommend reading the article about the difference between gel polish and shellac. From it you will learn what is the difference between gel polish and shellac, what is better and what is more harmful, and also how to extend the wearing period. And here is more information about how to do a French manicure with gel polish.

Gel polishes provide a flawless manicure in bright colors, but the use of such materials requires the purchase of additional equipment - an ultraviolet or LED drying lamp. This limits the possibility of using gel polishes at home, but women can use coatings that do not require drying in a lamp. It is enough to choose the appropriate option and strictly follow the application algorithm.

Step by step: Preparing nails for shellac coating

You need to do the following:

Hands are washed thoroughly with soap;
The free edge of the nail is filed;
The cuticle is pushed back with a pusher;
The pterygium (thin skin) from under the cuticle is cleaned;
Nails are treated with a buff;
Dust is thoroughly swept away with a brush;
Nails are treated with preprimer;
Nails are treated with primer.

Tip: If you apply shellac yourself, it is more convenient to do one hand first, and then the other. It's better to start with the non-working hand.

Use a pusher to push back the cuticle

You can create a beautiful manicure at home if you follow the following guide.