How to Apply Gel Polish Like a Pro | Step-by-Step Gel Manicure Tutorial | NIKO, by helloniko on YouTube. 1 min 50 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 50 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Wash your hands and dry them fully. Push back cuticles with a cuticle pusher, then apply cuticle softener and let it sit for about a minute.
Trim loose cuticle skin with nippers, working gently around the nail edges. Wipe away any softener residue before moving on.
Buff the nail plate lightly with a fine buffer to remove shine and give the gel grip. Dust off each nail with a brush.
Wipe every nail with cleanser or alcohol on a lint-free pad to remove oils and dust. Let them air dry.
Apply a thin layer of gel base coat, keeping it off the skin. Cap the free edge, then cure under the lamp for the time your product label states.
Brush on a thin coat of gel color, again capping the tip. Cure it, then repeat with a second thin coat and cure again.
Apply a thin gel top coat, seal the free edge and cure it fully. Wipe off the sticky layer if your top coat needs it.
Massage cuticle oil into the skin around each nail. Check the finish and add a second top coat only if the surface looks uneven.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep every layer thin, since thick coats wrinkle and lift at the edges.
Keep gel off the cuticles and sidewalls, or the manicure will peel early.
Cure each layer for the full time on your lamp and product instructions.
Do not skip buffing, because gel will not grip a glossy nail plate.
Questions
How long does a gel manicure last?
Most home gel manicures last about two to three weeks with thin layers and full curing. Lifting usually starts at the cuticles or tips.
Can I do this without a UV or LED lamp?
No. Gel polish only hardens under a lamp, so it will stay wet and smeary without one. Regular polish is the better choice if you have no lamp.
How do I remove gel polish safely?
File the top coat, soak cotton in acetone, wrap each nail in foil and wait 10 to 15 minutes. Then push the softened gel off gently.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
