STEP-BY-STEP MANICURE GUIDE
Nail Preparation
Nail prep is the most important step in ensuring a long-lasting and durable manicure. These steps will create a clean, smooth, and properly shaped nail surface for your gel polish to adhere!
Step 1: Push Back your Cuticles
Using our Cuticle Pusher, gently push back your cuticles. Use a back and forth movement to remove the skin on your nails. In a circular motion scrape off dead skin under the cuticles.
Step 2: Trim Excess Cuticles
Trim your excess cuticles with our Cuticle Nipper.
Step 3: Trim and Shape your Nails
Using our Nail Clipper, trim your nails if needed then shape your nails to your desired shape using our Nail File 100/180 Grit.
Step 4: Gently Buff your Nail Surface
Gently buff the whole surface of your nails with our Buffing Block, paying careful attention to the cuticles and edges to prevent any lifting of the gel polish.
Step 5: Remove Excess Dust and Dirt
Remove excess dust and dirt from your nails. You can do this using a nail brush or an alcohol pad.
Gel Application
Step 1: Base Coat
Apply a thin layer of our Base Coat to your nails and cure under our Nail Lamp for 60 seconds. Ensure to leave a small gap between the gel polish and your cuticle to avoid getting it on your skin or cuticle.
Step 2: Gel Colour
Apply 2-3 thin coats of our Gel Polish and cure under our Nail Lamp for 60 seconds after each coat.
Step 3: Top Coat
Apply a thin layer of our Top Coat to your nails and cure under our Nail Lamp for 60 seconds. Your Gel Polish should be hard and smooth after the final cure. If not, cure for an additional 30 seconds.
Pro Tips
- Always apply gel polish in thin layers! Remove excess product off the brush by wiping it inside the neck of the bottle before application.
- To avoid flooding your cuticles, place your brush just above the cuticle and slowly push the product to contour the cuticle without touching it. Then slowly drag the product to the tips.
- Clean up mistakes before curing! If gel polish goes on your cuticle, clean it off before you cure it under the lamp. You can do this with a wood cuticle stick or a nail brush dipped in acetone for a cleaner finish.
Gel Removal
Step 1: Buff Off Top Coat Layer
Using our Nail File 100/180 Grit, use the 180 grit side to file off the top coat. Be careful not to file off the gel colour! You only want to remove the shine in this step.
Step 2: Soak Cotton Ball in Acetone
Soak a cotton ball or cotton pad in acetone and place it on each of your nails
Step 3: Wrap Fingertip Aluminium Foil and Soak-Off
Wrap your fingertips in aluminium foil squares to secure the acetone-soaked cotton ball/pad in place. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes to allow the gel polish to soften and loosen.
Step 4: Use Gel Remover Tool to scrape off Gel Polish
Gently remove the aluminum foil wraps and cotton balls, and using the Gel Remover Tool, softly scrape away the gel towards the top of your finger until all the gel polish is removed.
If there are any remaining traces of gel polish, repeat the process, or use a nail buffer to remove the remaining polish.
Step 5: Hydrate!
Once all the gel polish is removed, hydrate your nails with cuticle oil or a hand cream.
Pro Tips
- Be patient! It's important to leave the acetone-soaked cotton balls and aluminum foil wraps on your nails for at least 10-15 minutes to ensure that the gel polish is fully softened and loosened.
- Don't pick or scrape the gel polish: Picking or scraping the gel polish off your nails can damage your nails and cause them to become thin and weak.
- Moisturize your nails and cuticles: After removing the gel polish, moisturize your nails and cuticles with a cuticle oil or ream to help restore moisture and prevent dryness.