How to build up nails with gel at home step by step instructions. Gel building technology at home. Mandatory set of materials

04.09.2019

Nail extension is one of the most popular self-care procedures today. Many girls dream of graceful and neat fingers. Beauty salons and manicurists help them in this. But the build-up can be done on your own. To do this, you need to study the technique of performing the procedure and buy the necessary materials.

on tips;
on forms;
with the application of the material to the nail;
by a special mold;
on liquid tips.

Nail tips are special plates made of plastic. They are glued to the nail, given the required length, and then gel or acrylic is applied. The color ranges from transparent to white. The form is selected individually with the help of a wizard. The advantage of building on tips is that only a small part of the nail plate is involved in the procedure. Thanks to this, its harm is minimized.

When building on tips, the drawing is done after the plate is attached to the nail

How to use iodine for beauty and health of nails:

The forms are a disposable paper base. Outside, it is covered with a special gel, which prevents the applied material from sticking too firmly to it. Inside, there is a composition on the base, thanks to which the form is well attached to the surface. Too short nails will not work for this procedure.

Extension using paper form is one of the easiest methods to perform the procedure

Extension with application of the material directly to the nail is suitable for brittle nails prone to delamination.

Acrylic is applied to the silicone molds from the inside.
The plate is applied to the nail and held for about a minute.
The mold is released and left for 120 seconds. If gel extensions are used, the silicone sheet is held for a few minutes under a UV lamp.
With the help of a nail file, the nail is brought to the desired appearance.

This procedure is used not only for building, but also for strengthening nails.

Silicone forms for extension can only be purchased in a specialized store.

Extension can be performed using a special mold. Such a nail initially has a decorative surface; you do not need to paint on it.

Decorated nails are very convenient to use, since they do not require additional efforts during the procedure.

For building on liquid tips, the forms can be made independently from acrylic or gel. The plate is applied to the nail on 2/3 of the surface. The rest of the technology is the same as when using silicone molds.

The time it takes for the procedure

Depending on the design and professionalism of the master, the extension can take 2.5–3.5 hours. Of course, everything is individual. If the nails initially require serious treatment, the procedure can take up to 4 hours.

How long do extended nails last

The time, how long the plates hold, is always individual. It depends on the rate of nail growth, proper care, and your lifestyle. Usually, after a month, it is necessary to make a correction or remove the forms. If the nails grow back too quickly, the procedure should be done twice as often.

With regular correction, gel nails last up to six months.

Rules for the care of extended nails:

protect your fingers from sharp blows;
visit the master in time to make a correction;
use acetone-free nail polish remover;
apply the base before varnishing your nails;
use gloves when washing dishes, washing and cleaning;
protect your nails from high and low temperatures.

When cleaning, be sure to wear gloves if you have extended nails

The following factors should also be taken into account: environmental influences and quality of materials. If the master used cheap components when working, it is unlikely that new nails will delight you for a long time. The following specialist mistakes can also reduce the wearing time:

improper preparation - inaccurately applied primer or bonder, not using a dehydrator;
distorted application sequence or inappropriate layer thicknesses;
too long or too fast drying;
malformed arch of the nail;
unprinted free edge.

It is worth paying close attention to what you do with your own hands. Try not to touch the zippers when zipping, do not click your fingers on the table, and do not type on the keyboard too often. Even small bumps can break the nail.

Table: pros and cons of extended nails

Extension of nails at home

To carry out nail extension at home, you need to know certain rules, stages of the procedure and other nuances.

Basic rules for nail extension

In order for the extended nails to last longer and the procedure to be safe, it is important to adhere to the following rules:

do not use hand cream on the day you decide to extend your nails;
before building it is necessary to clean the cuticle;
do not forget to take mineral and vitamin complexes to minimize the harm from the procedure, pay special attention to calcium;
before applying gel or acrylic, it is necessary to degrease the nail with a special tool for maximum bonding;
choose a design that suits both your everyday look and the show.

Preparation for building

Both the master and the client should wash their hands thoroughly. After that, the palms are treated with a disinfectant. Then it is necessary to soften and push back the cuticle. As a rule, it is not completely cut off when building up, as this can lead to wounds and cuts.

One of the stages in the process of preparing the nail for extension is to push back the cuticle using an orange stick or other device.

Now, if necessary, you need to shape the nails.

Before building nails, be sure to process them with a file.

When preparing the nail for extension, you must first remove the fatty film from the surface, as well as remove moisture and dirt. This can be done with a cotton pad and an alcohol or acetone based cleaner. Then you need to process the nails with a polishing block. It is better to start with the little finger on the right hand, because after half an hour, the protective layer will form again. The nail should be processed in the direction of its growth, otherwise the structure of the plate can be damaged. After that, the last stage remains - disinfection. For its implementation, special means are used, thanks to which the surface is also degreased.

Also, during preparation, it is necessary to determine the shape of the future marigolds.

Depending on personal preference and the initial state of the nails, you can choose the appropriate shape

Video: preparing natural nails before building

Building stages

Consider the most popular types of extensions: on tips, on forms and with the application of the material directly to the nail.

On tips

First, the preparation for extension, which is described above, is performed.
The inner surface of the tips is treated with special glue.
The plate is applied to the nail and firmly pressed with fingers for 15 seconds.
Remove excess glue.
Cut the plates to the required length, file to the desired shape.
With the help of a file, the lines of joining the plate with the nail are cleaned, the surface is treated with a buff until the shine is visible.
Apply a primer modeling gel and spread it over the plate.
Turn the hand over so that the solution evens out.
The nail is placed in a special lamp.
The gel is reapplied and dried again.
A cotton pad is moistened in a special solution and the sticky layer on the nail is removed.
Use a file and a polishing block to grind the top layer.
Apply the last layer of the solution and dry.

Video: gel nail extension on tips

On forms

Preparation is carried out, the main stages of which are described above.
Apply the base solution.
Dry the nail plate in a lamp for about two minutes.
Peel off the base coat.
The mold is applied to the nail to check if the center is even.
The plate is clamped using special devices and fixed on the nail.
With a brush No. 6, gently apply the gel to the surface. There should be a maximum in the center of the grout plate.
The finger is turned over so that the gel is distributed.
The nail is dried in a lamp.
Another layer of solution is applied.
The nail is turned over again and then dried in a lamp.
The surface of the nail is degreased with a special tool.
With the help of a file, give the plate the required shape.
With a sanding block, irregularities are removed from the surface.
Apply the last layer of the solution and dry the nail in a lamp.
Degrease the surface.

Video: gel build-up using paper forms

By applying the material directly to the nail

Building up begins with the preparation described above.
A suitable plate is selected for each nail.
A special gel is laid out in the center of the form.
Dry the mold in a lamp.
A little solution is applied to the cuticle.
The mold is applied to the nail at an angle of 45 degrees.
Dry your finger in the lamp.
Remove excess gel.
Dry the nail again in the lamp.
The form is carefully removed.
Using a special solution, remove the sticky layer from the nail.
File the plate into the desired shape with a file.

Video: extension with the application of the material directly to the nail using silicone molds

Build up for the first time

The main thing for the first extension in life is the choice of a suitable master. After visiting a professional, you will have an exceptionally good experience of the procedure. If you decide to do the extension yourself, try to follow the instructions clearly. The main thing is to thoroughly disinfect tools and hands to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Base build-up

With a base coat, you can build up your nails. The technology does not differ from the one described above. The stages of the procedure in this case will be similar to building on tips. The base adheres firmly to the nail, and it can be dissolved in the future only by soaking it in a special solution.

Base nail extension is not much different from the classic

Extending to itself

To carry out the procedure at home, you need to buy:

file;
polishing block;
tips;
disinfectant liquid;
means for degreasing the surface of the nail;
brushes;
ultraviolet lamp;
acrylic paints.

This list is relevant for building on tips. For other types of procedure, you must additionally purchase the following tools:

for - special plates;
with the application of the material directly to the nail - silicone molds;
by a special mold - ready-made decorated nails;
on liquid tips - prepare or buy special forms made of acrylic or gel.

Be extremely careful and remember: you cannot wet your hands for half an hour after the procedure.

The process of removing extended nails

It is better to go to the salon to remove the extended nails. But if you still decide to do it yourself, you will need:

tweezers or nail scissors;
acetone;
foil;
cotton pads.

First you need to shorten your nails. To do this, you can use tweezers or nail scissors.

Before removing the extended nails, it is necessary to shorten the plates

Then soak cotton pads in acetone and apply to the nails. Cut small pieces from the foil and wrap them around your fingers. This is done in order to avoid intoxication with acetone vapor.

After 10 minutes, remove the foil and remaining acrylic from the nail. This can be done using a file. If you need to remove the gel, you will have to work longer. It is not necessary to cut the material completely. The gel strengthens your nails and is unlikely to interfere with your daily routine.

When removed, extended nails are wrapped in foil so as not to inhale acetone vapors

Do not forget to use the polishing block at the end of the procedure. You should also apply some cream to your hands to prevent dry skin.

Remember that in no case should you rip off extended nails. Thus, you can damage your own.

After removing the extended nails, be sure to use the polishing block.

Build errors

When building up, it is important to avoid mistakes that can affect the appearance and health of nails:

excessive cutting of the nail; when sanding the surface, some craftsmen use tools that are too hard, because of this, the nail can become very thin and turn red; if you do the extension yourself, make sure that the file is as soft as possible;
improper removal of extended nails; often the masters cut the plates completely with a coarse file, in no case should this be done, this can lead to damage to the nail; it is necessary to use a soft file and leave some material on the surface;
incorrect modeling; if the parallelism of lines and other indicators are not taken into account in the process of building up, in the future the plates may break, and the nails may be injured;
failure to comply with the terms of correction - it is recommended to visit the master once a month; the natural nail grows back, so the extended one can tilt down, which looks unaesthetic;
insufficient disinfection; you cannot do extensions on nails that are affected by the fungus, before the procedure, it is necessary to disinfect the hands of both the client and the master, the instruments must be processed in a special apparatus, disinfected and stored under an infrared or ultraviolet lamp.

Before deciding on an independent nail extension, you need to study advantages of this event, and of course, do not disregard minuses. Consider positive sides:

Procedure easy: after several workouts, building is available to any smart girl who has not had anything to do with nail procedures before.
With the help of the gel, it became possible to give the nails a well-groomed look, hide small defects plates.
The gel does not exude an odor either during application or during wear.
In most gel products manufactured safe composition... The gel does not cause allergic reactions of a general type: individual intolerance is possible.
Gel build-up is considered one of the most durable: nail plates hard to damage due to a thick layer of artificial material.
The extended nails look beautiful and aesthetically pleasing: skillful and accurate extensions do not distinguish artificial covering from natural nails.

Another main plus that requires a separate mention: gel build-up helps to defeat the habit of gnawing fingers and free edges of the nail plate. After the first wearing, you can see the result.

As with any cosmetic procedure, there are several cons which we will talk about below:

Building materials and tools are enough expensive: it cannot be said that the procedure will be much cheaper than in the salon. Savings occur due to exclusion from the pricing chain - payment to the master.
Build-up spoils nail plates, despite the fact that almost all masters convince of the opposite. Long-term lack of oxygen access to the nail plates cannot have a positive effect on the tissues of the body.
Independent nail extension is 1.5 times longer than salon. This is due to the inconvenience of applying the composition to the non-dominant hand.
Too much frequent correction- the build-up becomes visually unusable already in the third week of wearing.
With incorrect build-up, voids may form under the nail plates. This is a potential the focus of the development of infectious inflammation.

Making a decision weigh both scales: think about whether you are ready to sacrifice time or health of nails for a beautiful shape and well-groomed handles.

Contraindications

Gel build-up has wrong many contraindications, however, if you see yourself in at least one point, you will have to give up the idea of making beautiful nails at home or salon conditions:

Cuts, open wounds, cuticle inflammation
Sore nails: fragile, flaking, uneven, fungus
Taking antibiotics, chemical radiation procedures.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the photo, which shows in detail the anatomy of the nail. This scheme will greatly simplify the understanding of the building procedure in the future.

What to do after a decision has been made

If the information above has not discouraged your desire to grow beautiful marigolds, let's get started. First of all, you need to decide on form nails, material for building, and of course, purchase the necessary tools if you do not have them.

Form

To understand what shape of marigolds you want, look at the photo. Choose a shape based on your own preferences and be sure to check out which manicure

Please note: the most comfortable and least traumatic forms are classic oval or square.

Material for length

Choose the most suitable material between the two suggested options:

Supporting materials:

Stick remover
Primer
Orange stick
Files, tweezers
Makeup brush
Polishing pad

Consider the procedure for gel extension on tips. This technology is easier than molded, but it also requires skill. Follow the step-by-step instructions to quickly learn how to make beautiful marigolds, without leaving home:

Process hands with an alcohol-containing solution. It can be a tonic or antiseptic: the task of the solution is to disinfect the hands and degrease the nail plates.
Move the cuticle towards the base of the nail: it shouldn't interfere imposition of tips.
File your nails: they should completely follow the shape of the tips. After that take off with natural nails a shiny layer. Dust off with a tissue.
Choose the tips according to the size of the first nail: in the future, the procedure is repeated for each nail.
Apply a drop of glue on the tip and press it against the nail plate for 15 seconds. Remove excess glue without allowing it to dry on the cuticle or body of the tip.
Finish the free edge of the tips: cut to the desired length and shape as desired. Treat the body of tipsa with a buff and apply primer.
After the primer has dried, apply the gel compound. Dry for 3 minutes in a UV lamp. After that apply gel a second time and repeat the drying procedure.
From dried nails wipe off the sticky layer, degrease and apply a top coat. Dry.
Peel off sticky fragments from finished nails and lubricate the cuticle with oil.

Make sure that the gel composition does not fall on exposed skin areas during the building process. Their untimely removal leads to subsequent damage to the manicure.

Form extensions (top and bottom stencils)

Form build-up is difficult for a beginner: we recommend practicing first on a tip, and, with the experience gained, switch to form build-up. The sequence of actions is described below:

The beginning of the shaped extension does not differ from the tip: disinfect your hands, remove the shine from natural nails, degrease them.
Apply basic coverage Then dry it in the lamp for 180 seconds.
Attach the stencil to the nail. With the upper build-up, it is fixed on the nail, with the lower one - under the nail, respectively.
Apply gel composition from the tip of the free edge: make sure that the composition is evenly distributed. Dry.
If you are building on lower shapes, form an S-curve when reapplying the gel. Dry. For upper forms, this item can be skipped.
Peel off the sticky layer from the surface of the nails and remove the template.
Sand the surface until the slightest unevenness is removed. Remove dust.
Apply topcoat, dry 2-3 minutes in the lamp.
Degrease the finished result and rub nourishing oil into the cuticle.

Video instruction will help you better understand the building process.

The article reveals the nuances of nail extension in as much detail as possible, exposing all the pitfalls and difficulties. If you are ready to learn, are not afraid of mistakes and can survive a bad result without being disappointed, you should definitely try yourself as a professional builder. We hope that the article on how to build up your nails with gel at home was useful, and the step-by-step instructions have improved your understanding of the process.

Women have always dreamed of having their hands well-groomed and their nails neat, strong and beautiful. Today, there are many effective ways to change the appearance of the nail plates, their shape and length. Moreover, if earlier such procedures were carried out exclusively in the salon, today more and more women are wondering how to build nails at home. And many are already successfully embodying their plan!

What is build-up?

A decorative nail is a plastic plate that has been shaped to resemble a real nail. The procedure itself is carried out using 2 main materials:

acrylic.

The difference between them is small and consists in the methods of solidification. Acrylic hardens after mixing the powder and monomer. The gel is in a liquid state and becomes solid when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Modern gels are very thick and do not run, but neither do they instantly harden like acrylics. Therefore, even a non-professional can carry out gel extensions on their own.

The main advantage of acrylic is the ability to achieve clear lines and give the product the desired shape. All this cannot be obtained with a gel.

The downside is that it is not as transparent. Therefore, it will not work with it to make a popular aquarium-style design.

Professionals do not recommend doing acrylic nail extension at home due to its toxicity. In a salon, acrylic is allowed to be used exclusively in an office equipped with a powerful hood. It is better to use gel at home. It does not have such a pungent odor and is not as toxic as acrylic. The undoubted plus is that it is really easier to handle it for a non-professional master.

There are mainly two nail extension techniques used:

Using tips, you can speed up the extension process by 2 times, but the result will not look very elegant. Such nails do not hold as well as those that were built on the forms. The second method is little used today, despite its convenience.

Materials and tools

First, you should decide what you need to build. You need to take care of the presence of an ultraviolet lamp. It is used for all types of extensions.

If the build-up occurs with the help of acrylic, then the lamp is used only at the final stage of drying the coating. In this case, it will be enough to purchase a budget UV lamp, which is equipped with only one 9W element.

The same model can be used for gel extensions, provided that only transparent material is used.

If you plan to make a design in the French style or build up using colored gels, then you will need to purchase a lamp with a higher power, having 4 elements, the performance of which is 36 watts.

In addition to the lamp, the following tools will be needed when performing the procedure:

In addition, the following materials are required:

You can purchase a home extension kit that contains everything you need.

Don't try to save money on disinfectant! The health of the nails depends on it. After all, when a gel or varnish is applied to the nail plate, access to it is blocked. And if bacteria remain on its surface, they will be sealed. In this case, after removing the gel or acrylic, the nail may be in a terrible state.

Tips extension procedure

Before you build your nails, you need to decide on their shape:

The procedure looks like this:

If the question is how to quickly build up nails, then it is better to choose technology with tips, rather than forms.

Form extension technique

It is much more difficult and requires experience. But if you wish, you can also master it. After all, the result is worth it, the manicure will really look spectacular and natural. The form serves as a template, which allows you to achieve a perfect model for each marigold.

The procedure begins with the preparation of the nail plate, which proceeds in the same way as in the case of nail extension. In stages it looks like this:

Drying and adjusting procedures are no different from those that are carried out when building on tips.

It takes 3 to 4 hours to build up your nails. The procedure should not be performed in a hurry, since the end result in this case may look unpresentable.

Extension of nails on forms (video)

Contraindications to building

In the presence of certain diseases, there is a high risk that artificial nails will not last long:

cardiovascular diseases;
herpes;
circulatory disorders;
diabetes;
diffuse toxic goiter;
severe stress;
allergy to materials used in the procedure;
disruptions in the hormonal system;
pregnancy.

In addition, nails should not be extended during chemotherapy and antibiotics.

Extension can damage natural nails in the following cases:

fungus;
nail injuries;
viral infection of the nail and surrounding skin;
sweating of the hands.

If you have any disease or problem, this procedure is not recommended.

Post-build care

False nails need to be looked after:

Within 24 hours after extending your hands, it is better not to wet, not visit the pool or sauna, since the gel coating does not tolerate temperature changes, becoming fragile.
At first, the manicure must be protected from mechanical damage, because along with artificial nails, native nails can also suffer.
Nourishing oil is rubbed into the cuticles daily.
Coating with a colorless varnish will help the manicure look fresh and well-groomed for a longer time. Thus, you can hide the regrown nail, which already requires correction.
It is advisable to wash dishes and wash with rubber gloves so that the gel coating does not come into contact with household chemicals. This will help preserve it and prolong the effect.
You can carry out the correction yourself using a nail file and a polisher. Do not use other tools, including scissors.
When doing manicure at home on artificial nails, do not steam them in water. In order to soften the cuticle, a special agent is used.

Not so long ago, many girls, whose nails do not differ in strength, often exfoliate and break, could only dream of a beautiful manicure on short nails. Building technologies made it possible for everyone who dreamed of long beautiful nails, intricate patterns and designs to finally make their dream come true. Modern methods of nail extension allow this procedure to be carried out not only in salons, but also at home. It is enough just to buy accessories for this procedure and master the extension technology. One of these technologies is gel nail extension. allow you to create artificial nails of any length and shape, correct them, work both in the salon and at home. The gel nail extension technique has many advantages, such as:

Not long duration of the building process.
Hypoallergenic material.
The material hardens under the influence of radiation from an ultraviolet lamp, which makes it possible to correct the shape of the nail to obtain the desired result.
The gel has no negative effect on the natural nail plate.
The material does not have a strong smell.
Gel nails look natural.

Types of gel for nail extension

Materials for gel nail extension are divided into several types. These are UV gel, biogel and Led gel. Gel nail modeling systems are divided into one-, two- and three-phase.

In a single-phase system, the modeling process is carried out by a universal tool that combines the functions responsible for the strength of the attachment of the growing nail on a natural plate, as well as for modeling the artificial marigold itself.
The two-phase extension system is based on the use of two types of gel, the first of which is responsible for fixing the artificial marigold on the nail plate, and the second for its modeling.
The three-phase system involves the use of three types of gels: the first to ensure the adhesion of the future marigold to the nail plate, the second to form the artificial marigold itself, and the third to protect the nail from external factors and give it the proper smoothness and evenness.

It is quite difficult to answer unequivocally, to the question of which gel for nail extension is the best, or which extension system (one-, two- or three-phase) to choose. Each extension master has his own preferences, focusing on the quality of the result and the cost of materials.

How to choose a gel for nail extension?

Gel nail extension technology is so popular that many brands are engaged in the production of gels for this procedure. The choice is so great that it is not easy to decide which gel to choose, especially for novice masters. So what are the best building gels? In order to decide on the choice of material for building, you need:

Find out as much information as possible about the brand whose gels you liked. Such large manufacturers as KODI PROFESSIONAL have their own website where you can find any information you are interested in about the gel.
Pay attention to whether your chosen gels have instructions with recommendations for their use.
Look for feedback on the use of materials you plan to purchase.
Decide what exactly you expect from the gel, which one you need: colored or transparent, how many gels you need, and so on.

Based on these selection criteria, you will be able to purchase a good build gel.

What do you need for gel nail extension?

Before embarking on the build-up process, it is important to ensure that you have all the necessary tools to carry out this process. A list of what materials are needed for gel nail extension:

Tips or shapes, depending on the method of extension, which we will discuss below.
UV lamp. This equipment is required to operate. Without it, the gel will not solidify and nothing will work.
Directly gel for building.
Disinfectant.
A means for removing the sticky layer.
The pressure of the files or buff.
Orange stick.
Flat brush.
Primer.
Polishing pad.
Tweezers.
Tips glue, if used as an extension method.

All this tool for gel nail extension can be purchased both individually and in ready-made (basic) sets, which contain everything that a novice master will need. Often, experienced craftsmen also use ready-made sets, if necessary, replacing or expanding the number of materials and tools in them.

Step-by-step instructions for gel nail extension

Step by step, gel nail extension is carried out as follows:

Natural nails are treated with an antiseptic. The surface of the nails must be absolutely dry before starting work.
The cuticle is pushed back with an orange stick.
Natural nails are filed. If the extension is carried out using tips, then the nails are filed under the selected shape of this tool.
The buff removes gloss from the surface of the nails.
The nails are treated with an antiseptic again.
The size of tips or shapes is selected, depending on how the extension will be carried out.
The gel is applied to the tips or form, the shape of the marigold is modeled.
The resulting nail is dried in a UV lamp.
The sticky layer is removed.
When everything is ready, the cuticle is treated with an emollient oil.

Following this sequence, you will get a flawless result of gel nail extension. Gradually, you will acquire the proper skill and experience, and the building process will take less time.

Gel build-up on tips

Extension of nails is carried out in two ways: on tips and using forms. Extension of nails with gel on tips is carried out in this way:

Before the start of the procedure, hygiene procedures are carried out, the nails are treated with an antiseptic.
The nails are filed under the selected tips shape.
The buff removes glossy shine from the surface of the nails.
For each marigold, the size of the tips is selected. Pre-nails are re-treated with an antiseptic.
A little glue drips in the tip area. The tipsy press firmly against the nail for at least ten seconds.
Tips are given the desired shape with tongs, and its edges are neatly trimmed with a nail file.
The surface of the new marigold is treated with a buff.
A primer is applied to the surface of the natural nail plate.
After the primer has dried, the gel is applied to the tips. It is dried in a UV lamp. Reapply and re-dry.
The sticky layer is removed.
The surface is degreased and covered with a finishing agent.
The nails are dried in a lamp. The sticky layer is removed again.
The cuticle is treated with oil.

Extension of nails with gel on forms

Extension of nails with gel is not done in two ways: on the upper and lower forms. The lower forms are attached to the nail from the bottom. The initial stages of the process are similar to building on tips. Hygienic treatment of the nail is carried out, the cuticle is pulled back, the surface of the plate is degreased. This is followed by stages such as:

Basecoat application and lamp cure for two minutes.
Removing the top layer.
Secures the shape selected for modeling to the finger.
Applying the gel to the tip of the nail and drying it in a lamp.
Reapply the gel and shape the curvature of the nail.
Drying and removing the sticky layer.
Gentle shape removal and grinding of the plate with a sander.
Finishing coat and lamp drying.
Degreasing.
Applying cuticle care oil.

Build-up to lower forms implies the formation of an S-shaped bend. For building on the upper forms, this stage is not needed, because the shape of the nail is already beautiful and natural.

The above step-by-step instructions can be used both for self-building (for yourself) and in working with clients. The process of modeling artificial nails for tips and shapes cannot be called complicated. Many girls learn these techniques and use them successfully at home. The maximum duration of this process is slightly more than three hours, but gradually, acquiring skill and using high-quality materials, the master works much faster. The result of his work is strong, beautiful, natural looking marigolds with the design chosen by the client.

The extended nails have long been popular among girls who cannot boast of the length and strength of their natural nails. Artificial marigolds look natural, do not cause inconvenience, they are worn for 2-3 weeks, which pleases their owner. In order not to spend money on trips to expensive nail salons, you can master the step-by-step gel extension technique yourself, at home. We will talk about this further, in our article.

Advantages and disadvantages of gel nail extension

Nail extension is a safe and modern procedure. It has several advantages:

Rapidity. The extension procedure will take no more than two hours. The rest of the time depends on the complexity of the chosen design.
Strength. With careful care, the gel will last for 2-3 weeks. The plasticity of the material allows it to hold out on the nails for a long time.
Low financial costs. Gel extension procedure is cheaper than acrylic extension.
Fast correction. A broken nail can be rebuilt in just half an hour.
Strengthening nails. Constant build-up will make natural nails more durable: they will be under a protective layer.
Duration of wearing. You can build up nails for about a year with timely adjustments every 2-3 weeks.
No toxic odor when building up.
Nails "breathe". The properties of the gel allow light, air and moisture to pass through, so that they will not dry out and break.

Gel build-up also has its drawbacks:

Possible burning sensation during the procedure;
It is impossible to "fix" the nail in case of breakage, it is necessary to build it up again;
Nails break under strong mechanical stress;
High sensitivity of the material to temperature extremes;
Difficult withdrawal. It will not work to eliminate the gel with the help of a special liquid, but you will have to use an apparatus or a file.

What to choose: Gel or Acrylic

Acrylic is a mixture of powder and liquid - a special liquid. It instantly freezes on the nails. has the following advantages:

Acrylic does not contain toxic methyl methacrylate;
The strength of the manicure;
Acrylic is not affected by temperature changes.

However, acrylic can cause allergies and is also breathable. The acrylic coating does not have the gloss that is characteristic of a gel.

Gel nail extension is more environmentally friendly, since polymer is a natural material, which cannot be said about acrylic. Gel helps to restore nails, while acrylic, on the contrary, can negatively affect the structure of the natural plate.

Forms or tips

Gel extensions are carried out using forms or tips, in order to determine which option is right for you, you need to pay attention to the type and shape of the nail plate:

Oval or almond-shaped. For this shape, both types of extensions are suitable. However, to build on forms, it is necessary that the tip of the plate protrudes 2 mm from the bed. If the plates are very short, only nail tips are possible;
Flat nails. Both procedures are also suitable for them. But for a plate that is too wide, the tips may not be enough, so you will have to use forms;
Trapezoidal. For them, only tips with a small contact area and an S-bend are suitable;
The nails are bent down. Only forms are suitable for them;
Gnawed plates. Extension in this case can be done only with tips, having previously aligned the tip of the plate.

What is needed for gel nail extension

For gel extensions, you will need special equipment, materials and tools. Below is what you need for gel nail extension:

... It is necessary for the polymerization of the material;
Disinfector;
Forceps;
Tips;
Glue for tips.

Types of nail extension systems

There are three home extension systems:

Three-phase. It is considered to be of the highest quality. To use it, you need a gel, top and base. The base coat provides adhesion of natural nail platinum and gel. The gel gives the nail shape, and the top protects the plates from external influences.
Two-phase. In this case, the topcoat is not used, its role is played by the second layer of gel.
Single phase. For this type of extension, you will need a universal gel that will do the work of three products at the same time.

Technique of nail extension on tips

The technologies for growing plates and tips are somewhat different. Below is a step-by-step nail extension for tips for beginners.

It is necessary to remove the cuticle, polish the surface of the plate with a buff, file the free edge, remove dust with a brush and degrease the nail.
Prepared nail
Choose the size tips for each nail. It is very important that when trying on the tips there is no gap between the tips and the nail, therefore the flat tips are glued to the flat nail, since the convex tip forms an air pocket when glued.
The gluing height of the hole should be at least 1/3 of the length and not higher than 1/2 of the natural nail

Tips should overlap from one corner of the nail to the other

Fitting tips
Apply a drop of glue to the tip area.
Applying glue to tips
Press the tips tightly against the nail plate for 10 seconds.
Tips are glued at an angle of 45 degrees to the free edge of the nail

Press the tips to the nail
The extra edge of the tips is removed with forceps and the artificial nail will have to be shaped with a file.
Shaping the tips
We clean the seam of the tips with a file without touching the natural nail and cut it off until the seam is completely removed, we clean the rest of the seam with a buff.
Removing the seam of the tips on the nail
We clean the tips with a file until the gloss is completely removed, after which we apply a primer to the natural plate and wait for it to dry completely
Apply a primer to the natural plate
Applying the first layer of gel to a natural nail and drying it in a lamp for 1 minute.
Apply the gel to the natural nail
Application of the second "leveling" layer of gel on the nail and tips. Dry it in a lamp for 1-2 minutes.
Cover the nail with a second layer of gel
Removing the sticky layer with special napkins and solution.
Removing the sticky layer
Finish is distributed and dried.
Ready, extended nail with gel tips

How to care for gel nails

The durability of extended nails largely depends on how the girl looks after them. To do this, you must follow a number of simple rules:

During the period of wearing, you need to lubricate the cuticle with a special oil so that the nails retain a beautiful, aesthetic appearance until the correction itself;
It is recommended to renew the gel coating every 2-3 weeks, because, firstly: heavily grown nails look unkempt and ugly, and secondly: untimely correction of extended nails increases the risk of their breakage several times;
It is necessary to cut the old material very carefully and carefully during the correction, preferably not with a file, but with the help of a special manicure apparatus, so as not to damage your own nail plate;
When working at home with various detergents and solvents, you must wear rubber gloves.

Thus, it is easy to perform gel extensions at home. To do this, you must have special tools and equipment, as well as strictly follow special instructions.