How to Apply UV Gel Nail Polish

How to Apply UV Gel Nail Polish

Unlike traditional nail polish, UV gel can stand up to everyday wear and tear. It also provides a range of different colours and finishes.

While a gel manicure is beautiful, it isn’t the healthiest option for nails and skin. Dermatologists worry about the exposure to ultraviolet rays used to cure gel nail polish.

Apply the Base Coat

One of the first things you’ll need to do before you apply any nail art is apply a base coat. This is a very important step that helps gel polish adhere to the natural nails. It’s also helpful for maintaining the health and appearance of your nails.

It enhances nail color and extends the longevity of the manicure. It can also help prevent staining on the nail plate. This is a particularly important feature when using dark or highly pigmented gel nail polishes, which may leave a tint on the nail plate when applied. The base coat acts as a barrier, preventing direct UV gel nail polish contact between the nail and the polish, so the natural nail stays intact and protected.

Ensure that the base coat is thin enough to be effective, but not too thick. Test it on a nail tip or palette to determine its consistency. If necessary, thin the base coat with a clear nail polish thinner to achieve the desired result. Once the base coat is thin, apply it evenly over each nail, avoiding applying it close to the cuticle. Then cure it under a UV or LED lamp according to the product instructions (LED lamps typically require 30-60 seconds, while UV bulbs will generally need 2 minutes).

After the base coat has been cured, the surface should be sticky. Avoid allowing anything (except your gel polish) to touch the surface at this point, as even the tiniest bit of dust or flufff could ruin the finish of your nail design.

Apply the Colour Coat

A top coat is essential to your gel manicure, providing a protective layer that helps shield your color from damage and wear. It also helps your manicure last longer by preventing chips and cracking. The right top coat can add that extra touch of sparkle or matte finish that makes a dramatic difference in your nails’ appearance.

It’s important to apply the top coat with care so that your nails look their best. To help ensure a smooth finish, you should avoid touching your nails or cuticles during the process. Instead, use a lint-free wipe to clean off any excess polish before applying the top coat.

Once you’ve applied the base coat and allowed it to cure, you can start working on your gel color polish. It’s recommended to apply a thin coat of color polish, and you may need to go in for a second coat for full opacity. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the number of coats required and for curing times.

As you’re painting, remember to shake the nail polish well and to work slowly to avoid smudging or running the paint. Avoid getting polish on the skin and nails, and if you do, use a lint-free cloth or cotton pad soaked in acetone to remove it. When you’re finished with the color, don’t forget to apply a top coat and cure it again. A nonwipe, long-lasting top coat like The GelBottle Inc’s Nonwipe Extreme Shine or Glazed can make a big difference in the longevity of your gel color manicure!

Apply the Top Coat

A top coat is the final layer of any gel manicure that seals in your hard work and protects your nail art design from chipping or peeling. It also gives the nails that extra shine they need to look healthy and beautiful.

To apply a top coat, you’ll need a few things such as rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, and lint-free wipes that won’t leave fuzz on your nails. Rubbing alcohol is used to thoroughly clean the nails before applying the gel polish as it removes anything that could prevent the polish from binding directly to the natural nail. The lint-free wipes are used to get rid of the tacky residue after each color layer is cured, especially when you use a nonwipe gel polish like those from The GelBottle Inc.

If you are having trouble applying your nail polish, it’s likely that you applied it too thickly or didn’t cure it properly. It’s also possible that the light in your curing lamp isn’t strong enough to produce the right wavelength to fully dry your polish.

Lastly, it’s important to always cap the free edge of your nail. This helps to prevent smudging the polish on your thumbnail and makes it easier for you to paint and cure your less dominant hand without smudging the other fingers on that hand.

Cure Under a UV or LED Lamp

Unlike regular nail polish that dries through air exposure, gel polish cat eye polish requires being ‘cured’ under a UV or LED lamp to harden in a process called polymerization. This step is necessary to ensure the gel nail polish becomes a durable, chip-free finish on the nails.

While both LED and UV lamps are effective for curing gel polish, it’s best to invest in a high-quality LED nail lamp that is specifically designed for use with nail polish. LED lamps offer quicker curing times compared to their UV counterparts, as well as less heat which is often preferred by salon professionals or at-home nail lovers with sensitive skin and nails.

Most professional LED nail lamps are at least 36 watts and can easily cure a full set of gel manicures in seconds. However, if you are working on an individual client with shorter time constraints, you may want to opt for a higher-wattage LED nail lamp that can cut down on curing times even further.

For the best results, it’s important to follow the specific curing instructions for each layer of gel polish on your client’s nails. This means following the recommended curing times for the base coat, colour coat and top coat. In addition, it’s important to avoid pulling the nails out of the curing light for a few seconds and then reinserting them (commonly referred to as flash curing) which can cause your gel nail polish to not fully cure.