Applying semi-cured gel nails at home can give you a salon-quality manicure in a fraction of the time and cost. However, to achieve the best results and ensure your manicure lasts, it’s important to avoid some common mistakes. Here are the top five mistakes to avoid when applying semi-cured gel nails, along with some additional tips to help you perfect your at-home manicure.
1. Not Ensuring Your Nails Are Clean and Dry
Why It’s Important:
If your nails aren’t clean, the gel strips won’t adhere as well and won’t last as long. Additionally, if your nails aren’t dry, moisture can cause issues under the gel strips and may trap bacteria, leading to potential infections.
What to Do:
Always use the provided prep pad to clean your nails thoroughly before applying the gel strips. Make sure to remove any oils, dirt, or previous nail polish. After cleaning, wait until your nails are completely dry before applying the gel strips.
2. Picking the Wrong Size
Why It’s Important:
Selecting the wrong size can lead to lifting and chipping. If the strips are too large and touch the skin, they won’t seal properly, reducing their longevity.
What to Do:
Choose a nail strip that is slightly smaller than your actual nail size, as you can gently stretch them to fit. This ensures the strip adheres properly without touching the skin, providing a better seal and lasting longer.
3. Placing the Strip on Your Cuticle
Why It’s Important:
Placing the strip on your cuticle can cause the strip to lift as your nails grow, pulling your cuticle with it and potentially causing discomfort or damage.
What to Do:
Place the strip just above the cuticle at the base of your nail. This allows the strip to grow out naturally with your nail and prevents lifting or pulling on the cuticle.
4. Not Sealing the Edges
Why It’s Important:
Properly sealing the edges ensures that the gel strip adheres fully to your nail, preventing lifting and chipping.
What to Do:
Use a cuticle stick to gently press down along the edges of the strip to create a strong seal. Folding the strip over the edge of your nail before filing can also help achieve a better seal. This technique ensures the strip adheres securely to the entire nail surface.
5. Filing Incorrectly
Why It’s Important:
Filing in the wrong direction or too aggressively can create jagged edges and cause the strips to lift.
What to Do:
File in a downward motion in one direction to avoid creating jagged edges. If you find it challenging to file while the strips are soft, you can cure them first and then trim/file once they have hardened. However, filing before curing often provides a better seal.
Additional Tips for Perfect Semi-Cured Gel Nails
Keep Your Hands Dry:
After applying and curing the gel strips, keep your hands dry for at least two hours. This helps the strips adhere better and ensures a strong seal.
Handle Repairs Easily:
If any strip becomes damaged, you can easily replace it with one of your spare nails. Use scissors to trim the spare strip to the correct size, and then apply and cure it as usual.
Store Unused Strips Properly:
To maintain the quality of your unused gel strips, store them in a cool, dark place away from direct light. This prevents them from curing prematurely and keeps them ready for your next application.
Practice Makes Perfect:
Applying semi-cured gel nails can take a few tries to perfect. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt isn’t flawless. With practice, you’ll become more adept at selecting the right size, sealing the edges, and achieving a smooth, long-lasting finish.
By avoiding these common mistakes and following the additional tips provided, you can achieve a beautiful, long-lasting manicure with LA-BEK’s semi-cured gel nails. Remember to ensure your nails are clean and dry, select the right size, place the strip correctly, seal the edges, and file properly. With these steps, you’ll enjoy a salon-quality manicure that lasts over two weeks, all from the comfort of your own home. Happy manicuring!
Check out our how to page for easy to follow videos.