Gel Nails Tutorial This nail art tutorial has been kindly submitted by The Nail Chic.
The tutorial is provided by Gaylene to help teach us how to achieve perfectly smooth ledges on gel nails.
Please take note that this tutorial is copyright of Gaylene Gajdosik. You cannot reproduce this in whole, or in part without her express permission. Click on a thumbnail to see the full size picture. |
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Smooth Ledges on Gel NailsA great deal of lifting occurs when product is placed too close and touches the cuticle and sidewalls. At this point it’s extremely difficult to then taper that product to become flush with the natural nail.
| Tutorial Steps |
After a thorough prep has been done, Sure Bond, MAP, or Affix has been applied it is now time to apply your base. In this example, I’m using Bonding Gel. Apply the Bonding Gel thinly over the entire nail but when you are getting close to the cuticle and sidewalls…leave a small perimeter. You can see where the light glare ends is where the perimeter begins.(See Fig.1) This small perimeter allows you two things: 1- space to taper the product later to become flush with the natural nail; and 2 – it gives you a guide later when you apply your gel to not get close to the ‘danger zone’!
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Fig.1
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When you are applying your Gel, make sure you apply enough at the stress area to prevent cracking and splitting. In this example, I like to hold my brush parallel to the gel and gently ‘feather or guide’ small amounts of gel towards the cuticle, sidewalls and free edge. (See Fig.2) This allows your strength to remain in your stress area and thinner at the cuticle, sidewalls, and free edge to prevent that ledge from happening.
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Fig.2
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Here is an example of a nail after finish filing and what the perimeter will look like. I exaggerated the perimeter for this reason. (See Fig.3)
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Fig.3
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When you come to your finish filing and you’ve filed the entire nail, I use a Sponge Board to do the cuticle and Sidewalls. This terrific file allows you to manipulate the file, and really get close to the product in tight areas and at the same time the Sponge Board is almost impossible to ‘heat’ your client with. Here, I place the Sponge Board Parallel with the cuticle and file back and forth 5 quick swipes.(Se Fig.4) |
Fig.4
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I turn the File, pull those sidewalls back and again 5 short quick swipes on each side.(See Fig.5) Apply your Top Gloss, but again, don’t deposit the entire contents of the brush at the cuticle and pull towards the free edge…this will create a ledge. |
Fig.5
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A light hand will apply a perfect amount of Top Gloss that will reflect a nail with a brilliant shine, and a great tapered enhancement!
Here is an example of a nail gone 4 weeks and how the growth should blend into the natural nail. (See Fif.6) |
Fig. 6
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