Preparation (prep) of your nails

Step by Step

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  1. Push back the cuticles

  The first thing you need to do is gently push back your cuticles. This makes the entire nail plate visible, giving you access to a larger area of the nail plate, which makes it possible to apply product to a larger part of the nail. It is important that you hold the cuticle pusher parallel to the nail instead of pressing down on it, so you push the cuticle pusher along the nail down by the cuticle.

  The higher up on the cuticle pusher you hold it, the less pressure you put on the nail. While pushing the cuticle back, you should also remove all the dead skin cells lying on the nail plate at the cuticle edge. You can remove the dead skin cells either with an orange stick or the curved side of our cuticle pusher. Simply push gently against the dead skin, and it will lift off the nail.

  You can recognize the dead skin cells on the nail plate because there will either be matte or chalky areas on the nail plate, or you will feel resistance when using the cuticle pusher. The reason it is important to remove the dead skin cells, also known as the invisible cuticle, is that over time they lift away from the nail plate. If you apply product on top of the dead skin cells, you will experience what is called lifting, meaning the products lift from the nail plate because an air pocket forms between the products and the nail plate when the skin rises. So by pushing back your cuticles and removing the dead skin cells, you extend the durability of your nails and increase the time before regrowth becomes visible.

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  2. Remove the excess cuticle

  When you have removed the invisible cuticle lying on the nail plate, you can use a cuticle clipper to remove excess cuticle around the nail. You need to be careful when clipping the excess cuticle so that you only cut away the dry, dead skin. It is important to pay attention not to cut into the skin around the nail.

  So how do you spot whether the skin is dead? There are a few small things you can look for, such as whether the skin is hard and rough, if there are dry flakes, if the skin has a lighter color than the rest of the skin, or if there are cracks and splits in the skin. The rule of thumb, however, is that if you are in doubt about whether the skin is dead, do not clip it. It is better to leave a little too much than to cut into living skin. Not only does it hurt, but it also makes it more difficult to do your nails, because if it starts bleeding, the blood will get into your products, and you will most often have to wait to do your nails until the bleeding has stopped.

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  3. Buff the nail surface

  Once you have taken care of your cuticles, you should gently buff the nail so the surface becomes matte. Run our buffer over the entire nail plate, and here it doesn’t hurt to move the buffer in different directions. Make sure to matte all areas of the nail plate, including down by the cuticle.

  It is important to avoid using too much force and putting too much pressure on the nail surface when buffing, but instead use a light hand. The goal is to make the nail surface slightly rough so the product you apply later has something to adhere to.

  You can also file the shape of your natural nail if you wish.

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  4. Clean with cleanser

  When you buff and file the nail, some nail dust will naturally appear on the surface. That is why you need to clean the nail with our Cleanser & Lint-Free Pads. Soak your Lint-Free Pad in Cleanser and wipe it across the nail plate. It is important to get down and thoroughly clean the nail by the cuticle with the Lint-Free Pad.

  It is crucial to remove all dust, dirt, and debris from the nails. Even the smallest speck of dust can stick to the products you apply and affect the appearance and durability of the product. So make sure the nails are completely clean. Once the nails have been cleaned with Cleanser, it is important not to touch them again, as this can cause oils or dirt to gather back on the nails.

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  5. Apply PH-Bond and Primer

  For the best result, finish the preparation by applying a thin layer of PH-Bond and then Primer. It is important to let both products air dry for 60 seconds. This means you should first apply PH-Bond over the entire natural nail and let it air dry for 60 seconds, then apply Primer over the entire nail plate and also let it air dry for 60 seconds.

  It is important that neither Primer nor PH-Bond comes into contact with the skin. The products should only be applied to the natural nail plate. You can also use PH-Bond and Primer separately, but to achieve the most durable result, it is best to use both. PH-Bond temporarily dehydrates the nail plate and removes excess oil, while Primer leaves a sticky layer that ensures the Base Coat adheres more easily to the natural nail.

  Once this is done, your nails are ready for product application! Check out our guide to Applying Gel Polish if you want to start creating beautiful, colorful nails.

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