Nails and polish that are habitually dry also become brittle and prone to breaking, peeling and chipping. After the manicure, maintain a healthy amount of moisture in the nails and enamel by regularly applying nail and cuticle oils and using hand lotion. Why do nails crack? Update Cancel. Run your entire business with Zoho One. Reach customers, grow sales, balance your books and work in collaboration from any device. Why does gel nail polish crack? How do I apply fake nails without nail glue? Why do nails grow? Why do gel nails crack?! Even if a mani looks perfect when it's applied, for some reason my gel nails sometimes crack or split in the middle or at the edge. Even if a mani looks perfect when it's applied, for some reason my gel nails sometimes crack or split in the middle or at the edge.
Do you know someone who has been rocking the same gel manicure since gel manicures were invented? Like, it's not just a manicure anymore, it's a part of their body? Well, then congrats, because you've stumbled onto the one sneaky secret for growing out your nails. Kind of. This method involves a gel mani, but it's a specific type of gel mani. One you might not have ever thought about getting.
So picture the gel mani in question again. Those nails, they're right there, proudly rocking it out, long and strong. They're colorful on the tips, then shamelessly naked from the end of the gel ridge down. (Hey, there are a lot of really expensive Japanese manicures that look just like this on purpose, right?) OK, now picture those nails, but with one exception: they're rocking a clear gel mani. Mind blown? Mine was too, when I was first introduced to the concept.
See, gel manicures are kind of like armor for you nails. But not without a cost. They're hard to get off (you know you're not supposed to peel them off, right?) and since they last so long, you're kind of stuck with the same look for as long as you're willing to stand it. But a clear gel mani — you can paint it. Or at least, ignore it better while you grow out your nails. Here's how to do it.
1. Get A Clear Gel Mani
A clear gel mani is just a regular gel mani, but with clear gel UV polish. That's all there is to it. You can get it done in a salon, or you can do it yourself at home with a UV light, a layer of clear UV base coat and one or two layers of clear UV topcoat. The benefit to doing this at home, yourself, is because this method does require a little maintenance, which can mean a lot of trips to the salon. But if going to the salon is what you're into, then by all means.. https://treevisa637.weebly.com/download-de-novelas-mexicanas-dubladas.html.
Sensationail Gel Polish Starter Kit, Pink Chiffon, $25, Amazon
Nail Harmony Gelish UV Dynamic DUO Soak Off Base & Top Sealer Gel, $28, Amazon
2. Get A Hard Gel Overlay
If you want (or need) something even stronger than gel polish, you can get (or give yourself) a gel overlay. Clear builder gel looks like gel polish, but once you cure it under the light, it's hard like glass. It's what techs use when they put on gel extensions. You can use it to add some undetectable strength to your nails. This is the brand I use. It's crazy cheap but works like a charm. If you're into something more fancy, I'll include some others below it. Oh, and a tutorial! You're welcome. Gosh, I love you too. *blush*
Nail Art UV Gel Acrylic Builder, $4, Amazon
IBD Strong Clear Builder Gel, $23, Amazon
UnderTheLilyShadow on YouTube
The stuff you need starts around 2:25.
Or this:
ecreativegroup on YouTube
The videos mention bonder, which you can use, but I just clean my nails really well with alcohol and gently buff away the shine. This may work for you, or you might need a bonder.
IBD UV Nail Bonder Gel, $13, Amazon
![]() 3. Get A Good Base Coat
If you just want clear nails, you're done! Congrats! You have officially protected your nails against breaking and cracking like a nail care boss, which will finally allow them to grow! BUT.. if you're like me and you need color in your life (and glitter, and lots of it) then you'll want to pain on top of your clear suit of nail armor. That involves topcoat. Topcoat is specifically designed for regular nail polish to stick to it. Clear gel, well, not so much. If you don't cover your nails in a regular topcoat, your polish will probably bubble and streak. No good.
Seche Vite Clear Base Coat, $4, Amazon
O.P.I Start to Finish, $14, Amazon
4. Celebrate With Color
Now that you have a good base coat on top of your gel, the world is your oyster. Here are some fun nail art tutorials for good measure. Remember, we're talking about good, old-fashioned nail polishes here, not gels. Oh and did I forget to mention? When you need to take off your polish with acetone, you're all good because it's not going to take off the clear gel. It might stain it tho, but a quick buff and re-seal with gel will fix that right up.
Simply Nailogical on YouTube
Kelli Marissa on YouTube
5. Maintain
If you're going to the salon, you can leave the maintenance up to them. Just keep using hand lotion and cuticle oil like a million times a day (no really. At least after you wash your hands, shower, and before you go to bed).
If you're doing your own maintenance at home with your own UV gels and light, you just need to let your nails grow out until you have too much naked nail to deal with. Then lightly file the top shiny layer so you get a dull surface. Do this to your natural nail too, ever so gently. Then add gel to your natural nail to fill in the gaps. You can do this if you're using builder gel or just gel base and topcoat. When you're done and everything has cured, just file away any mistakes, especially if there's a big bump where the new and old polish meet, then seal everything with a good coat of gel top coat.
Genius! Now you're going to have the longest, strongest, and also cutest nails of anyone you know. And you don't even have to share your secret if you don't want to.
Images: Pexels; Giphy (5)
Does ANYTHING feel as good as a fresh mani does? You pick up your go-to Starbucks order or go to text your BFF and there they are: your perfectly painted nails. It's such a great pick-me-up. If you're looking to have your fave mani last as long as humanly possible, you should consider gel nails! But before you head to the salon, read these top tips from NYC celeb manicurist Miss Pop.
1. Gel manicures and acrylic ones are totally different.
Acrylic nails are made with a powder dipped in solvent. 'They're essentially used to lengthen the nail or provide a stronger top layer over the natural nail,' explains Miss Pop. Think the crazy length Kardashian nails get to.
Sometimes acrylic nails come in colors, but usually they're clear or natural-toned. Gels, on the other hand, come in nail polish shades, and are made hard by being cured under a UV or LED lamp.
2. Look into different polishes to see which ingredients you feel most comfortable with.
Believe it or not, there are some polishes on the market that are known as 'healthier' when it comes to gel manicures. For example, OPI’s GelColor ProHealth Base and Top Coat promises healthier nails and up to 14 days without a single chipped tip in sight. A lot of salons now offer this polish, but call ahead to see if this gel variety is something that they carry. The basecoat and topcoat can be used with any of OPI’s over 140 gel colors.
3. No, your nails don't actually need to ~breathe~.
Many people worry about getting gels because they fear their nails won't be able to 'breathe,' but nails are actually dead to begin with, so they don't need to breathe! The whole breathing nail thing is a myth, but it is kind of ute to imagine your little nails with micro-nostrils.
4. Gels weaken your nail beds, but it's mostly because of the removal process.
Many people worry about getting gels because they fear their nails won't be able to breathe, but nails are actually dead to begin with, so they don't need to breathe! Your nail beds and cuticles are what's important — they're made of living tissue, which is why you need to be careful. It's safest to get gels removed at a salon, though it usually costs $10-$20.
5. Actually watch your manicurist take off the polish.
I know, I know. It's so tempting to just zone off and watch whatever random show they have playing on the salon TV or maybe you just like to chat with your BFF during your mani date, but be sure to keep an eye on what the nail technician is up to.
Make sure the manicurist is removing your gels carefully. 'No one should be scraping your nail bed aggressively. The product should just crumble off,' says Miss Pop.
6. You can remove gels at home safely.
If you want to save money and a trip to the salon, you can take the gels off yourself. You just have to be extra careful:
Depending on your gel, this can take 15 minutes to an hour. When the gel is crumbling or sliding off, gently use a rubber-ended cuticle pusher to clean the gel off of your nail bed (do not file or scrape!).
7. If you DIY a gel mani yourself, make sure to keep your nail beds hydrated.
Miss Pop recommends using cuticle oil and moisturizer. 'Even if you don't have a gel mani, those products will help your nails stay healthy and strong, not to mention stave off hangnails,' she says.
8. UV radiation can be dangerous to your health.
'Conventional wisdom says unnecessary exposure to UV rays is bad for you,' says Miss Pop, 'but they have been part of salon services forever. Those purple-colored lights that help your nails dry are actually UV lights!'
Luckily, there have been huge improvements in gel technology, and many brands have converted to LED curing, which doesn't have the scary UV side effects. Companies such as OPI, Essie, and CND use LED lights. Ask your salon for that option. If you love your UV lamp for drying, put on sunscreen before – just in case.
9. At-home gel kits work!
Well, kind of. Brands like Sally Hanson, Ciate, and Kiss make at-home kits now with tiny little LED lamps. Try them out if you want to save money and have control over your own mani.
Why Gel Nails Turn Yellow
At-home gel kits last a bit longer than a regular manicure — maybe 10 days — but are definitely not salon quality. You have to follow the instructions to the last detail and have a pretty steady hand to get a perfect gel nail.
10. Gels cost anywhere from $35 to $120.
How much you're going to pay for a gel mani really depends on where you live, but also what kind of look you want. Basic one-color gel manis start around $35, which is more than a regular mani, but it also lasts twice as long. If you want crazy celeb-level nail art, it could end up costing up to $100 – and that's not including tip.
11. Gels generally last 2-3 weeks.
The best part about gel manis is how long they last. If you have a bunch of events coming up back to back like prom, internship interviews, and family vacays, gels can be the perfect solution because they last about two full weeks with zero chipping. (Yeah, it's amazing.) But however long it lasts, you'll love your nails the entire time. ?
Why Gel Nail Polish12. Watch out for 'toxic trio' ingredients.
Some polishes include potential cancer-causing chemicals like dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde. Read the ingredients label on the polish's bottle or on the company's website to avoid them.
13. Having your cuticles cut can put you at higher risk for infection.
There's so much cutting and buffing and filing when it comes to a gel mani. Don't increase your risk of infection by getting your cuticles cut -- just ask to have them pushed back.
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