Gelnägel selber machen – das musst du beachten

Gelnägel selber machen – das musst du beachten

DIY gel nails – here's what you need to know

Gel nails have been a huge trend for many years. Demand at nail salons is high. But did you know that you can also easily create these trendy nails at home? Admittedly, this requires a little planning and skill. Many people don't dare to try it themselves and prefer to leave their gel nails to a nail stylist. However, it's definitely worth giving it a try. Doing gel nails yourself isn't rocket science.

What equipment do you need if you want to do your own gel nails?

To do your own gel nails, you need professional equipment. This is the same equipment used in nail salons.

You will definitely need the following items:

  • paint brush
  • Nail file
  • UV-Gel(e)
  • Nagelhautschieber
  • First
  • Cleaner
  • Buffer
  • UV/LED curing light device
  • Nail milling cutter

The basic kit can be supplemented with additional products, such as gels in various colors or stencils. However, it's very tedious to buy all the small parts individually. It's best to get a nail design kit that contains all the necessary tools. Even among these kits, there are differences. You should carefully check whether the kit meets your needs. You can find a complete, all-inclusive kit directly... in our shop.

Included free of charge is the book "The Ultimate Nail Design School". If you want to do your own gel nails, it's important that you master the techniques. This book can help you delve into the world of professional nail design. Of course, you can “The Great Nail Design School” It can also be purchased separately from the starter kit. The book is suitable for both beginners and experienced nail designers.

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How do you prepare your fingernails?

Once you have all the necessary tools, it's time to prepare your fingernails. First, file your nails into the desired shape. Next, take care of your cuticles. Push them back or remove them with a cuticle pusher. Then, buff or file the surface of your nails. The nail must be completely roughened, meaning it should no longer be shiny. This is for a specific reason: if you don't roughen the nail sufficiently, air bubbles will form under the gel layer later, reducing the durability of your gel nails. Also, be sure to thoroughly remove any dust particles from your nails before you begin the actual application.

How do you properly prime your fingernails?

You may have already noticed: doing your own gel nails involves several steps. After preparation comes the priming. For this, it's best to use a primer. This is a degreasing bonding agent. By removing oil particles, it optimizes the adhesion and durability of the gel nails. However, there is one exception: if you're using a base gel, you don't need a primer. The base gel already provides sufficient adhesion. If you're using a 1-phase gel or a 3-in-1 gel, however, you shouldn't skip the primer.

DIY Gel Nails – The Modeling Process

Now you can begin the actual nail modeling. It's best to do each finger individually! This way, you'll ensure a clean result. Using a thin brush, apply the first layer of gel to the nail. Make sure to work evenly! If any gel drips onto your fingers or runs into the cuticles, you should remove it as quickly as possible. Once it has dried, the gel is very difficult to remove. After you've finished shaping everything to your liking, your nails need to be cured under a UV lamp for about two minutes. This applies to each layer of gel.

What are the next steps in the nail structure?

When doing your own gel nails, the nail structure is of utmost importance. This is achieved by applying the second layer of gel. For this second layer, a special nail gel is usually used, which has a harder consistency than the base layer. Once you have carefully applied the builder gel, the nails must be cured again for two minutes under a UV lamp. When you take your hands out again, you will now notice the so-called dispersion layer on your fingernails. Before you can proceed to the next step, you must remove this layer using a cleaner. The cleaner is included in most starter kits. It gives your nails a beautiful shine and also disinfects them.

Now, take your professional nail file again to smooth any unevenness on the nail bed. Then, smooth the nail bed with a buffer if needed. This will create dust, which you should brush away with a dust brush. If you want to do your own gel nails, it can be helpful to apply the builder layer twice in thin layers. Don't forget that the nails need to cure after each layer. Applying the builder layer multiple times will give you a better structure. However, there are also disadvantages: A gel layer applied too thickly can quickly look unnatural. Therefore, we recommend applying the builder layer no more than twice.

NICE TO KNOW:

Doing your own gel nails is fun and challenging at the same time. But have you ever considered making extra money with your hobby? In our blog post “Opening a Nail Salon,” we give you 8 useful tips for a successful start.

The individual design

After building up the nail with gel, you can now creatively design your nails according to your own wishes. There are virtually no limits to your imagination in this regard. You can choose from a wide variety of colors and even further embellish your nails with rhinestones. If you opt for colored gel, it's best to use a very thin brush for application. You can either color the entire nail or just the tips. Those with a talent for it can, of course, also draw artistic patterns. Nail stickers, rhinestones, or nail tattoos are also very popular. There are both self-adhesive versions and decorations that require a special adhesive. Many nail designers find the self-adhesive decorations more practical. After the design is complete, another thin layer of gel is applied to fix it. It's a common misconception that creatively designing the nail is the most difficult part of doing your own gel nails. After your nails have cured under UV light, you're almost at the end of the process: sealing them.

The final step – sealing.

To seal your nails, you'll need special sealing gel. This is also included in most kits. Sealing your gel nails is an essential step for achieving an aesthetically pleasing result. Apply the sealing gel evenly with a thin brush. What follows is familiar: curing under a UV lamp and removing the dispersion layer. Once you've done both, it's recommended to nourish your finished gel nails with nail oil. This will also soothe any skin irritations that may have occurred. Generally, artificial nails require special care. Otherwise, they quickly become unsightly. Naturally, this should be avoided. Professionally sculpted and well-maintained gel nails are a real eye-catcher. With the starter kit and the instruction manual, you'll be perfectly equipped (link here).

What else should you keep in mind?

If you've ever been to a professional nail salon or work as a nail stylist in one, you know that hygiene is paramount. If you want to do your own gel nails at home, you're the only one using the tools. Nevertheless, you should clean them just as thoroughly as you would in a salon! Poor hygiene can lead to serious health consequences such as infections. Before you start working on your gel nails, you should thoroughly clean your hands. First, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds. Then, use a skin-friendly disinfectant. Most bacteria are found on the hands. Small injuries can occur when doing your own gel nails. This isn't usually a problem. However, if your hands or tools aren't disinfected, bacteria or viruses can enter through these small injuries. The work surface where you do your nails should always be clean. Clean it before and after with surface disinfectant. Ideally, do your nails in a room that can be well-ventilated afterward. Important: Your kitchen is unsuitable if you want to do gel nails at home. Tiny dust particles are created when you work on your nails. If you store food uncovered (e.g., in a fruit bowl), dust can settle on it. This is harmful to your health. You should absolutely avoid inhaling the resulting dust and chemical fumes. For this reason, you should always use a suitable appliance at home. respirator Wear this if you want to do your own gel nails.
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