Do you want to know how to do your own gel nails?
Do you want to save money by stopping going to the nail salon?
Read on for the step-by-step process of doing your own gel nails / shellac nails at home.
Getting my nails done monthly, I used to spend $42 ($35 + tip), which added up to $504 a year! I found a way to do it myself to save money. Now, I can do this for years before I will run out of supplies. You can do it, too.
You may also watch the step-by-step YouTube video of my instruction if you’d rather see and do your nails with me!
Removing the Gel Polish: What you need and Steps
Acetone Polish Remover with Keratin and Cocoa Butter
Nail Files and Nail Buffers Set
Cuticle Pusher and Cuticle Trimmer
Pour a small amount of acetone into the glass bowl.
I place down a folded hand towel that I don’t mind getting messy. This will protect my table and later catch the flakes of the polish I take off.
Soak cotton balls in the acetone. When wet, place a cotton ball on each nail with a soak-off clip on each nail as well.
Wait 7-10 minutes until your old polish has begun to lift and flake up. If it is not ready, soak longer. Take everything off of your nails.
When your nails are ready, use the curved part of the cuticle pusher to push the remainder of your old gel polish off. Use wet cotton balls to scrub the tiniest remainders off.
Use the cuticle pusher, once again, but to push your cuticles up.
Use nail clippers to cut your nails however you’d like.
If you want to remove your cuticles, soak your fingers in warm water in a clean bowl. Safely remove or trim your cuticles.
Cleaning the Nails:
File your softened nails into the shape you prefer, squared, rounded, or square with rounded corners.
Use the nail buffer to remove any filed parts that are stuck to your nail or stuck under your nail. The buffer gets rid of flakes that the file cannot!
Buff across the top of your nails.
Don’t forget to WASH YOUR HANDS now!
Painting the Nails: What you need and Steps
Gelish Foundation and Top Coat Duo
UV LED Nail Lamp (single) and double
Gel Nail Polish (pink and glitter set) and neutral and Earth tones set
OPI Gel Nail Polish – the only kind I use: red, black, light blue, nude, pink, taupe, yellow.
If you’re doing this alone, pick a hand to do first! TIP: Unscrew every bottle just a little bit so you don’t struggle while your nails are wet.
With clean and dry hands, put on your uv-blocking gloves. Paint the pH bond on your nails (from now on, I am only talking about the hand you are doing).
Paint a thin coat of the foundation and use your UV LED light to dry it (60 seconds each time).
TIP: Be sure the paint does not bleed to the edges of your nails or onto your cuticles. That would make a ‘pocket’ where the color will peel up.
Paint a thin coat of the color polish you’ve chosen and dry it under the light.
TIP: Always swipe some paint horizontally, across the front of your nail to prevent chipping over time.
Paint a second coat (third coat optional) and dry it under the light.
Paint a top coat on and dry it under the light twice (2 minutes).
Now, you’re ready to do your other hand! Repeat the steps above in this section. When both hands are completed, you may use cotton balls and witch hazel (or rubbing alcohol) to wipe the stickiness away.
Then, add a tiny amount of cuticle oil to the tops of each cuticles and rub it on. Enjoy your beautiful manicure and the money you have saved!
All of the supplies:
Clickable photos (affiliate links – I receive a very tiny amount if you purchase from these links. Thank you for supporting the blog.)
If you like what you see, share with a friend through the social media links. Show me your nails! Tag @thesassiestsam or DM me photos of your manicures.