

Finishing touches – once all your gel is applied and properly cured, your manicure is complete! Add a touch of cuticle oil and let your client know of any aftercare advice before they leave.If your client wants a different colour, paint on your gel polish and cure again first. Apply colour or top coat – wipe the nail clean again, and apply your top coat.File the nail – perfect your client’s desired shape and even out any areas that might be too thick.Clean the nail – use a lint-free wipe and isopropyl alcohol to remove any tackiness.Apply a second coat – if needed, apply your second coat and cure again.Cure under LED/UV lamp – your chosen builder gel should state what type of lamp it needs to be used with and how long to cure it for.Builder gel tends to ‘self-level’, so allow it to settle for a few seconds to make sure it is applied evenly. Stay away from the cuticle and be sure to cover the free edge. If you have a pot of gel, you will need to use your own nail brush to pick up a small amount.

Apply the builder gel – if you are using a bottled builder gel, you can paint it on.If you don’t need a primer, you can skip this step and save some time. Apply base coat or primer – if your builder gel requires you to use one.Wipe the nail with a lint-free pad using nail cleanser or acetone.

Prepare the nail – clean, file and buff the nails.Generally, the steps you would take to apply a builder gel would be something like this: If you are extending the nail, simply apply your nail tip or form before applying the gel and creating the length. If you are applying builder gel to the natural nail only, it can be applied and built up to the desired thickness and shape in a number of coats, curing between each layer. Some require you to use a primer or base coat first, while others, such as Glossify, can be applied straight to the nail for a speedier application. The way you use builder gel depends on the particular brand you buy. How to use builder gel… Do you need a base coat for Builder Gel? When the builder gel begins to grow out, you can infill just like you would with acrylic, or remove the set and apply another straight away – providing the nail is still in good condition. You also need to make sure you use the right LED or UV nail lamp for the correct amount of time. This often means only using products from your chosen gel nail system – not mixing one builder gel with another brand’s top coat, for example. When applied on natural nails, a strong and healthy base is required.Īlways make sure you follow your chosen gel brand’s instructions to get the best results. Though a manicure created with builder gel can last up to three weeks, this often depends on which brand you use and how well you apply it – plus, how well the old coat is removed. How long does builder gel last?Ģ-3 weeks. They have high self-levelling properties which ensure a smooth foundation layer.

It’s much stronger than regular gel polish base coats, and the formula is a much thicker consistency to a normal base coat. You can apply builder gel to either natural nails for a non-chip overlay, or use it with nail tips to create extensions or enhancements. We thought it was a good time to answer some of the most commonly asked questions around builder gels. Want to know the benefits of gel manicures? Or whether gel or acrylic is better for your clients? Keep reading to find out!īuilder gel is used when you want to create length, thickness or add strength to the nail. Some of our best selling ranges are: Glossify Naturabuild, Glitterbels Brush On Builder Gel, Halo Easibuild Builder Gel, & Gellux Builder Gel. Most gel polish brands have now ventured into the world of builder gels and everyone’s gone mad for them. When it comes to nail extensions and nail art there are so many options to choose from these days, from glitter acrylics to stunning nail art effects, the nail world is ever evolving! So, it’s more important than ever to get a good grasp of the basics.īut, not only has nail art and acrylic nails become increasingly popular…so has natural looking nails and promoting nail care and strength! Which has in turn paved the way for builder gel to take industry by storm….allowing nail technicians to add strength to their clients natural nails, allowing nails to grow and keeping them looking perfect for 2/3 weeks.Īt Salons Direct we have a wide range of gel polish brands available to suit all budgets.
