How to create the perfect gel-look manicure

23 September 2021 | By Martinique Stevens

Love the high-shine look of a professional gel manicure but not keen on a trip to the salon? Follow these easy steps to recreate the look at home.

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Step 1: Prep your nail beds

Start your at-home gel-look manicure off by removing any excess oil residue from your nails with your favourite nail polish remover and some cotton wool.

Or try Dove Baby Fine Cotton Wool Clouds and Cutex Nail Polish Remover Moisturising.

Next, file, buff and shape your nails into your desired nail shape. If your natural nails are long enough, then the almond nail shape is trendy to try. But if your nails are short, simply file them so that they are all even in length.

Try the Clicks Rose Gold Manicure Set or QVS Essential Grooming Kit to get it done.

Step 2: Apply a base coat

Applying a base coat like Rimmel Nail Nurse Base Coat is the next step in your DIY mani. Not only will it add grip and help your nail lacquer to be smoothly applied, but it’s also enriched with calcium and keratin to treat nails and help them not to crack, split or peel.

Step 3: Apply a gel-look lacquer

Now for the fun part – choosing a gel-look nail polish. Although these types of polishes don’t need to be cured by a UV light, they possess all of the shiny, long-lasting, chip-resistant qualities you love.

Try Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamel in Beginners Luck or Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Color in Pinky Promise.

Step 4: Time for a topcoat

Up the gloss factor by sealing your gel colour in with a gel-look topcoat. Mavala’s Top Coat Gel Finish and Sally Hansen’s Top Coat Instant Dry polishes are trustworthy picks to try.

If you don’t have time to sit around and wait for your layers of polish to dry, apply a drop of Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops to your nails after your topcoat.

Step 5: Seal in moisture

Lastly, keep cuticles looking and feeling beautiful by finishing off your DIY manicure with a cuticle oil. The Body Shop Almond Nail & Cuticle Oil or Essence Repair Nail Oil Nails & Cuticles Nourisher are both quick and easy to apply.

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com