How to paint your nails with gel polish

Gel nail polish has a lot of advantages. It stays shiny and chip-free for weeks, and that translates to fewer touch-ups in between polish changes. The application process is a bit different than with normal polish, though, and using gel requires a few additional steps to reap the benefits. Because a good manicure also depends on good technique, the following video was created to help you see the full step-by-step process.

The biggest difference between applying gel polish and regular nail polish has to do with the thickness of the paint. Gel needs to be cured in between layers to set fully, so those layers need to be very thin or they'll never dry. Instead of slathering on a thick layer, plan to apply at least two coats of color plus a clear base and top coat.

Materials
- Nail gel cleansing wipes
- Gel nail pH bond
- Clear gel base coat
- UV or LED lamp
- Pale pink gel nail polish
- Clear gel top coat
- Cuticle oil

Instructions
1. Wipe each nail with a nail gel cleansing wipe that contains 99 percent isopropyl alcohol to prepare the nail surface.

2. Further prime the nail's surface by applying a thin layer of pH bond coat to each nail. This will dry out the surface of the nail and help the polish adhere better.

3. Apply a thin layer of clear gel base coat polish and cure with the UV or LED lamp.

4. Paint a single thin layer of pale pink polish on each nail and cure with the lamp. Repeat with a second coat and cure again.

5. Seal the color with a clear gel top coat, and cure once more.

6. Remove the tacky layer of gel residue with a nail cleansing wipe. This will make the surface shiny.

7. Apply cuticle oil around the base of the nail and under the tips, and rub it in fully.