Do you love having beautiful, vibrant nails? Do you want to become a pro at doing your own gel nails with smooth, even coverage and long-lasting results? Then you’ve come to exactly the right place. On this page, you’ll find a guide to applying nail polish and gel polish perfectly. Once you’ve read it, you’ll be able to apply nail polish yourself with results that are nothing short of professional.
Enjoy the guide – and good luck on your nail journey.
Before you start applying your nail polish, it’s a good idea to cleanse your nails with a nail polish remover. Make sure there are absolutely no traces of old nail polish left, as the nail polish remover will take care of this. It also removes oil and dirt, helping to ensure a smooth, even, and long-lasting result.
Make sure to choose a gentle nail polish remover so your nails don’t dry out too much. If there is no nail polish to remove, you can also find other types of nail cleansing products that simply remove dirt and oil.
The next step is to push back your cuticles and lightly file your nails. Your nails may have slightly rough or uneven edges – especially at the tips – even if you can’t see them. That’s why it’s a good idea to gently smooth them with a nail file before you start applying nail polish. This helps reduce the risk of uneven application.
Your cuticles should also be pushed back, and any excess skin should be removed. You can use a small orange stick and nail scissors for this.
Before applying your nail polish, you should always, always, always use a base coat. It helps prevent the polish from staining your nails. This is especially important when using darker shades, as they can stain your nails — and of course, that is something you want to avoid.
In addition to helping protect your nails from staining, a base coat also helps create a longer-lasting result. It helps the nail polish adhere better, so your polish lasts longer once applied. We recommend using a base coat from the same brand as your nail polish. That way, you can be sure it has been developed to work well with that specific polish.
When applying your base coat, it is a good idea to start by applying a small amount to the tip of the nail to help seal the edge. Then apply it to the rest of the nail in three strokes – first down the middle and then along the sides.
Wondering how to do gel nails? And how do you apply the polish to achieve the beautiful result you have been dreaming of? Please note that this section applies to both applying gel polish and regular nail polish. Now we have reached the most exciting part of all: the polish itself. Once you have chosen a beautiful shade, you are ready to move on to the next step. Make sure your base coat is fully dry or cured before you start applying your nail polish.
Just as with the base coat, it is a good idea to start by applying a very small, thin line of nail polish along the tip of the nail. This helps seal the tip. After that, you can apply polish to the rest of the nail.
Start by wiping one side of the brush against the inside of the bottle. Then place the side of the brush with nail polish on it in the center of the nail. First, gently push the brush up towards the cuticle, then pull it back down towards the tip of the nail. This gives you polish along the entire center of your nail without it running into the cuticle. Once this is done, apply polish to the sides of the nail. Simply guide the brush in one long stroke down each side of the nail.
Once you have followed the steps above, your entire nail should be covered with nail polish. The polish should reach all the way down to the cuticle without running into it. You should also have polish across the center and sides of the nail and, of course, all the way to the tip. At the tip, the small seal helps ensure the polish stays exactly where it should.
No matter how opaque your nail polish is, you should always apply at least two coats. This helps ensure that your polish stays beautiful for longer. For some nail polishes, it may even be necessary to apply three coats, so experiment and see what works best for you and the specific polish you are using.
Because nail polish is applied in several coats, it is not a big problem if the first coat is not completely perfect. If there are small areas where the polish does not fully cover, these will be evened out when you apply the second coat.
You should always let the nail polish dry completely between coats. Some nail polishes can be applied in several coats one after another without increasing the drying time, but if you are using an older nail polish or a polish that is already very thick, it can be risky to apply multiple coats without letting them dry. In the worst case, the nail polish may not dry properly at all, so we recommend staying on the safe side by letting each coat dry completely before applying the next one.
You should always finish your manicure by applying a top coat over your nail polish. It adds a little extra shine to your nails and helps your nail polish last longer. The top coat seals in the nail polish, making it more resistant to everyday exposure to water and soap, which can otherwise be tough on your polish.
Once again, it’s a good idea to choose a top coat from the same brand as your nail polish.
By following this guide, you’ll achieve beautiful nails with nail polish that truly lasts. However, it’s important to remember that the longevity of your nail polish depends on the quality of your base coat, nail polish and top coat, as well as what your nails are exposed to after application. For example, your nail polish will typically chip faster if you do a lot of manual work or wash your hands frequently.
Want to be sure your nail polish lasts a long time – no matter what you’re doing? Then you should consider switching from regular nail polish to gel polish from Nailster. Our gel polish lasts for two to three weeks, and once it has been applied and cured, you won’t have to worry about it chipping or cracking. You can get off to a great start with gel polish by purchasing one of our starter sets.
Wondering how to do gel nails? After reading this blog post, you should be able to answer that question in no time. We hope you now feel even more informed about doing your own gel nails, how gel polish works, and why it’s such a fantastic product. We hope you enjoyed reading the blog post!