Gel X Nail Tutorial | How to do Gel-x Nails at Home | DIY Nail Vlog with supplies & prices
This step by step tutorial will show you exactly how to do gel x nails at home. All supplies can be found on my Amazon Storefront: (https://amzn.to/3MmTyRl)
As promised here is a written step by step guide as well!
#1 - PREP
1. Start with clean nails, no polish
2. If you’re adding extension tips, measure each nail size and set aside in order for later
3. Apply cuticle oil (Gelish “Nourish”) to nail beds/cuticles
4. Use cuticle pusher to push back cuticles & wash hands to get rid of oil
5. Use nail files to buff entire top of nail (“flex” file - 220/280) and to shape nails (“edge” file - 150 or 180)
6. Wipe nails down with an alcohol prep pad to get rid of dust from filing
7. Apply PH bond to each entire nail (repeat x2) - you should see your nails start to dry out, this is important for the glue to hold
#2 - GEL X APPLICATION
8. Starting with your left pointer finger, apply a drop or two of nail glue to the very end of the correct sized nail tip
9. Slowly, at a ~45 degree angle adjust the nail tip into place starting from the base to the tip of the nail — you should see the glue spread out over the entire nail from the base to the end of your natural nail
10. Hold nail for 10-20s until glue hardens and the gel x nail doesn’t move
11. If you see air bubbles, try to push them out while holding down nail
12. Repeat for each nail — it’s easiest to do your thumbs very last so work from your left pointer finger down to pinky then right pointer finger to pinky and then left thumb, then right thumb
TIP: if you keep your natural nails longer, apply a thin layer of the glue to the white of your real nail tip right before applying the gel x tip; if the glue doesn’t spread all the way from base to tip with the gel x tip, try applying an extra drop next time; if the glue easily spreads beyond your natural nail tip when applying, try using a drop less next time… getting the right amount of glue is probably the hardest part!
#3 - GEL POLISH APPLICATION
13. Use the same flex nail file to buff out the top of the gel x nail (this doesn’t have to be super precise)
14. Wipe nails down with another alcohol prep pad to get rid of dust from filing
15. Apply color gel polish as desired (I don’t use a “base” coat because I already prepped the nail by buffing it)
16. Cure in UV lamp:
1. 10s between same color coats
2. 30s between different color coats/designs
3. 60s for final coat before top coat
4. 90s to cure no wipe top coat
5. 90s x2 for regular gel top coats (& briefly wipe down with alcohol prep pad after to remove stickiness)
17. Apply clear non-stick top coat & do final cure in UV lamp
18. Repeat for other hand & you’re done!
EXTRAS & HOW TO DO TRENDY DESIGN STYLES:
Chrome:
Do steps 1-14 as normal, apply color or design as desired and cure the final color coat for 60s, apply no wipe top coat and cure ONLY 10s MAX, apply chrome powder with sponge applicator given (rub in circles until it turns chrome), apply another coat of no wipe top coat and cure 90s or until dry/non-sticky
Blooming gel:
Do steps 1-14 as normal, apply any base color or design as desired and cure the final color coat for 60s, ONE NAIL AT A TIME: apply a layer of blooming gel (error on the thin side) to desired nail, do not cure - apply drops of color gel polish immediately on top of blooming gel coat in the pattern you’d like, let them expand until you like the look (this happens quickly), then cure for 10-30s, repeat for each nail one at a time - the blooming gel acts very quick so do not apply it to multiple nails at once, finish with top coat or other colors as desired
Rhinestones/pearls:
Do steps 1-15 as normal but don’t add your final clear top coat yet, once you’re done with your color or design, pick each of the rhinestones out you’ll be using, apply a thin dot of UV/LED curable rhinestone gel to the exact spot where the stone will go, pick up stone with tweezers and place on top of rhinestone gel/glue on your nail, cure 10s in between each stone so they don’t move around, finish by applying a coat of no wipe top coat to tops of nails making sure to cover entire rhinestone, cure 90s — applying top coat over rhinestones will help them stay on longer & usually for a full 2 weeks
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
3:11 Supplies & Prices
4:28 PREP
7:23 GEL X APPLICATION
10:04 POLISH APPLICATION
13:34 Results & Thoughts