How to Apply White French Gel Nails

Nail polish is not used in French tip gel nails.

Gel nails are a popular nail technique. Everything from typing and texting to washing dishes and fixing things around the house puts a woman's nails to use. Applying gel to a nail makes it strong, flexible and shiny. Used on a woman's own nail bed, a false tip or an overlay, French-tip gel nails are odorless, fume-free and natural-looking for any event.

Things You'll Need

• Nail polish remover
• Cotton pads
• Water
• Soap
• Clean cloth
• Nail tips
• Sharp nail file
• Cube buffer
• Nail prep solution
• Antifungal solution
• Nail glue
• Clippers
• Clear nail gel
• 2 nail brushes
• White nail gel
• UV nail lamp
• Gel cleanser
• Glossy clear nail polish

Instructions

Apply a Tip, If Needed

1. 

   Place the cap on the remover immediately after using.

   Place a cotton pad onto the opening of nail polish remover and tip slightly. Put the pad to your nail and wipe off existing nail polish. Continue taking any polish off on both hands until your nails are natural looking. Wash hands with warm, soapy water. Dry thoroughly.

2. 

   A hard file gently roughs up the nail.

   Find the right size tip for each nail. Place the plastic nails on each nail bed. If the tip overlaps onto your skin, it is too large for that nail; if it is too small, the tip will not reach the sides when pressed down. Etch the nail with a nail file by gently filing back and forth on top of the nail bed. Push back the cuticles with the side of the file.

3. Buff the nail in circles using the cube buffer. Swipe a clean cotton pad over each nail to clean off excess debris. Paint a nail prep solution on each nail and let dry. Brush on an antifungul treatment on each nail. Allow to dry.

4. Squeeze the nail glue into the center of the tip's nail well. Apply the tip to the nail. Press and hold for four seconds. Shorten each nail tip by clipping the sides and twisting until it breaks off. Shape the nails by gently moving the nail file in one direction. Brush off debris of each nail.

Gel Application

1. Open the gel container. Dip a nail brush into the gel and scoop a dollop onto the brush. Place the brush near the cuticle, but not touching it, and brush the gel onto the nail beginning in the middle and finishing on both sides.

2. Plug in the nail lamp. Place one hand under the UV lights for three minutes. This cures the gel. Switch and cure the other hand. Apply another thin gel coat to both hands and repeat the drying process. Dip a new brush into the white gel and scoop a dollop onto the brush. Apply the white gel onto the edge of the nail iin a crescent shape to create the French tip.

3. Notice the dispersion, or sticky substance, forming on each nail. Wipe this off by applying a gel cleanser to a cotton pad and taking one swipe to the nail. Continue this process on both hands. Buff the edges of any rough nails.

4. Smooth the edges of the nails with the nail buffer. Apply a glossy, clear coat of nail polish to each finger. Let dry for 30 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Wipe the brush off immediately after finishing or the gel will harden.

• Use thin gel layers.

• Put the cap back on the glue because the air will thicken it.

• A gel brush will harden if exposed to sunlight.

• Do not place gel near the cuticle.

• When using the cleanser gel, be careful not to wipe the tacky substance onto the next nail.

References

• YouTube: French Manicure Gel Nail
• Nailsplash.com: Introduction, Step-by-Step Lessons and General Gel Nail Information
• Gelisy Beauty: What Are Gel Nails?

Resources

• Get Nailed at Home: About Us