Gel nail polish is a popular procedure. It consists in building up a natural nail plate with a gel coating, which changes its consistency and hardens under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. This allows you to create almost any shape and design of nails, even in a situation where natural nails do not look the best. In addition to the fixed assets, a special nail dehydrator is used in the process.
Often, such a manicure is a creation from scratch with exceptional precision, handmade with the features of a sculpture from a relatively hard material. Sometimes a gel manicure is “just” hardening the plate, shining it or coloring it. For each purpose, you can use different types of gels, varnishes and other special preparations.
This category includes a wide selection of manicure products and other useful accessories.
Products such as acetone, gel polish remover or gel and polish remover foil are essential items that will come in handy in order to make beauty on women's hands.
Other preparations in this category are used for degreasing - on the one hand, it is a classic degreaser, and on the other, it is a degreaser that additionally gives a glossy shine.
A degreaser (also called a cleaner or auxiliary agent) is used in different cases, one of them is to remove the thin sticky dispersion layer that remains on the nail after curing with a gel or hybrid lamp, and the other is just before a classic manicure.
Important! The advantage of such products is that the nail plate shines after using them, and the coating does not lose its luster.
The sheer volume of tutorials available on the internet is encouraging more and more women to try their hand at home gel polish. Before you start compiling a shopping list, you need to decide what type of manicure is right for you.If the nail plate is thin and the length of the nails does not require extension, then it is enough to simply strengthen them with gel and give them the desired shape.
However, if your nails don't look like they do on the covers of newspapers, they can be successfully extended to give them a whole new look.
Regardless of which method you choose, there will be a procedure that is critical to the longevity of a manicure - skin preparation and plate preparation. Professionals will use a special machine for this purpose with correctly selected milling cutters, which will save time and remove ugly burrs. And girls doing manicure at home often use standard nippers for this. To facilitate the process of removing the cuticle, a softening liquid is applied. To remove or push back the cuticle, you can use a wooden stick.
The next step is to prepare and matte the plate. A machine tool and thin milling cutters or a file and a polishing block will also come in handy here.
Finally, it remains to file to the desired shape and the first stage is over.
To prolong the durability of the coating, it is not enough just to matte it well, it is also necessary to ensure a permanent connection between the gel and the plate, which will certainly increase adhesion.
The nail surface is hydrophilic, while the gel mass is hydrophobic. At the same time, the primer consists of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic particles, thanks to which it ideally connects the nail to the gel.
Acid or non-acid?
Primer, like Cleaner, affects the durability of hybrid, gel and acrylic manicures. The primer not only degreases and removes all impurities, but also changes the pH of the plate.
Primers come in two main types:
Acid primer - organic compound - unsaturated carboxylic acid. It works by dissolving oil particles on the plate that cannot be removed by matting the plate with just a block.
Since the drug has a high penetrating power, it should not be applied more than once in one application.
The acid primer is applied only to the natural nail plate after its preparation. After application, a characteristic white coating remains - this is a natural phenomenon and should not cause concern.
Acid-free primer - softer in composition than acidic.
Its main ingredient is ethyl acetate, not methacrylic acid. With acid-free primers, the smell is much less noticeable than with acid primers. A milder formula is recommended for all nail plates that do not cause problems. Acid-free primer is more viscous and dries longer after application, leaving a sticky layer that does not evaporate.
Finally it's time for beauty. You need to prepare a lamp for curing the gel, it can be either a classic UV lamp or a faster LED lamp - both will cure the gel differently, but its curing time will be different. The UV lamp is slower, the LED (depending on power) is faster. You will also need a gel brush 4 or 6 mm wide.At this stage, you can move on to the gel.
A novice stylist most often chooses a gel with a thicker consistency - because it is easier to apply.
Color will also be of key importance, here, first of all, be guided by your own taste. The gel should be applied with a brush to the center of the nail plate and spread along the nail shaft (do not forget that you can not pour the cuticle) towards the free edge of the plate.
What is needed at this stage?
Gel polishes are different:
Nowadays, cosmetic companies are trying to outdo each other by launching an ever-growing range of hybrid polishes on the market. Buying high-quality and, above all, safe products is the key to a lasting and effective manicure.
Important! there are cases of allergies to such varnishes. Then you should immediately contact the person performing this type of manicure, or seek advice from a dermatologist or allergist.
The drug is used to degrease the nail plate before performing a hybrid, gel and acrylic manicure. It also removes all dust and dirt. The stability of the result largely depends on it. Some cleaners are also used to remove the upper dispersion layer and add shine to the top coat.
In addition to its main functions, the liquid is able to restore pH levels, disinfect and prevent skin infections.
Nail technicians recommend that you always use a dehydrator, no matter what type of coating is being applied.
In addition, the use of a dehydrator strengthens the natural nail plate and prevents its delamination.
The main component of the product is an organic solvent butyl acetate, which carefully removes excess moisture from the surface of the nail plate. Butyl acetate does not damage the structure of the nail, as it does not penetrate deep into the keratin layer. Dries completely immediately after application.
Important! Before buying, pay attention to the composition. Among the ingredients of the drug should be few dyes and flavors.
Popular brands:
Important! Degreasing the nail plate plays a very important role in preparing for the application of the following products, ensuring their good adhesion and avoiding, for example, blisters from varnish.
Dehydrator is a product designed primarily for wiping off the dispersion layer formed after the application of gel polish.
Also, the cleaner can moisturize the cuticle and add shine to the already painted nail plate. This product may contain oils or lanolin for said extra hydration.
Degreaser and cleaner uniquely combine the scope, that is, the application of gel polish.
Both of these products are responsible for preparing or finishing the nail plate. They support the correct application and operation of other products. They play a kind of support function, but without them, the result will not work as it should for many weeks.
The cleaner is definitely a more versatile product, since the degreaser is only intended to degrease the nail plate before applying the base coat.
A cleaner can do more than a degreaser. Using appropriate additives, it can not only wash the nail plate, but also moisturize the hands around the nails.
However, it is worth remembering that a cleaner containing, for example, oils, of course, will not prepare and degrease the nail plate properly at the very beginning of the procedure, a degreaser will be needed here.
This is a high quality product that quickly degreases the nail plate just before applying the base. The drug perfectly prepares the nail plate before applying any modeling and decoration systems during manicure.
Volume - 15 ml.
Price - 820 rubles.
Means for degreasing and cleansing the natural nail plate.
Volume - 10 ml.
Price - 620 rubles.
Universal liquid for cleaning before and after manicure. It is applied to a dry surface, removes dirt and degreases, prepares them for applying varnish. When applied over a hardened finish, it removes the tacky layer from the surface.
Volume - 150 ml.
Price - 951 rubles.
Pre-manicure preparation, suitable for use before applying any nail modeling and decoration systems. The special formula in the composition of the drug helps to equalize the pH, and also eliminates the remnants of sebum and dirt from the surface of the natural nail plate, increases the durability and strength of manicure and pedicure.
Volume - 30 ml.
Price - 820 rubles.
A special preparation is responsible for the deep removal of moisture from the surface without overdrying. Differs in efficiency and excellent result.
Volume - 29 ml.
Price - 700 rubles.
Degreaser-dehydrator is suitable for processing before a manicure or pedicure. Does its job well.
Volume - 12 ml.
Price - 400 rubles.
Preparation for degreasing the nail plate. Suitable for use before applying the base to remove moisture from the surface. Its use provides high-quality adhesion to the base coat.
Volume - 12.5 ml.
Price - 215 rubles.
A professional degreaser at an affordable price and with excellent properties.
Volume - 15 ml.
Price - 139 rubles.
With its help, it is easy and quick to remove all moisture with a deep drying effect.
Volume - 16 ml.
Price - 270 rubles.
Well-groomed hands, a beautiful design on the nails are the first signs by which you can determine whether a woman likes to take care of herself. The quality materials that the master chooses for working with gel polish largely affect how the coating will be worn, will be dull or look “like it was just from the salon”, and the use of a quality dehydrator plays an important role.