Open
Close

Extend gel nails. Instructions for gel nail extensions for beginners. Videos and master classes. Is it really possible to learn this way?

One of the modern ways to get a reliable manicure is gel nail extensions on forms. By following the instructions step by step, you can do nail extensions at home. The gel allows you to model the shape and length of your nails, maintaining the aesthetics of your manicure for two to three weeks.

Required set of tools:

Mandatory set of materials:

  1. Antiseptic for pre-treatment of nails and adjacent skin.
  2. Cuticle softener.
  3. Composition for disinfection, degreasing, dehydration. You can use separate formulations, but it is better to purchase a specialized spray or 3-in-1 liquid preparation that performs all three functions.
  4. Primer (or other adhesive composition) - to ensure adhesion of the nail plate to the gel.
  5. A degreaser that removes the sticky layer.
  6. Base gel coat. The gel can be one-, two- or three-phase.
  7. Colored gel coatings.
  8. Finishing gel coating that adds shine.

Types of gel for nail extensions

For successful nail extensions, it is necessary to ensure strong adhesion of the polymer to the nail plate, correct the shape of the nail and give it shine and smoothness. According to the process technology, gels are divided into one-, two- and three-phase - depending on the number of technological stages and compositions required for work.

There are a large number of gels on the market from different manufacturers.

Experienced professionals advise choosing products from the following brands:


There are other brands on the market.

What is the difference between single-phase and three-phase gel

The sequence of step-by-step actions for gel nail extensions on forms differs depending on what technology is used: single-phase, two-phase or three-phase.

Differences:

  1. Gel composition used for single-phase build-up, performs all the necessary functions: guarantees adhesion to the nail base, allows you to model the required contours of the nail, ensures the smoothness and shine of the coating. This technology is very convenient for beginners, because... the easiest to use: only one type of gel is required, which is applied in one step and fixed in one session of irradiation with an ultraviolet lamp.
  2. Two-phase technology requires the use of two types of gel. One of them provides connection and modeling, and the second is protective, ensuring smoothness and strength of the nail. Accordingly, two layers are required and two curing sessions under a UV lamp are required.
  3. Work on three-phase technology most time-consuming. Three compounds are used: for adhesion, for modeling, for protection. Each layer is applied and irradiated with a lamp separately. This method requires the master to have work experience and qualifications. Professionals prefer this technology due to the high quality of modeling.

Nail preparation

Before extensions, the nail needs high-quality preliminary preparation:


The nail plate is ready for extension.

How to adjust the shape to the nail

The form is a template with markings made of metal, Teflon and other materials. Durable reusable forms require careful disinfection after use, so disposable forms made of paper, thin plastic, and foil are often used. The form can be fixed at the top or bottom of the nail.

Installation and adjustment of the form is a very important stage on which the quality of the extended nail depends.

When using solid forms, you need to choose the size of the template so that it fits perfectly on the nail plate. The form is bent with light pressure and put on the nail through the provided hole. Once the shape matches the “smile line,” it is securely attached to the finger.

Disposable soft forms require additional adjustments. They make it possible to adjust the stencil to the contours of a specific nail plate. This is especially convenient when processing nails with non-standard shapes. If the forms are too soft, then experienced craftsmen advise gluing two pieces together.

The disposable template is removed from the backing, the perforated oval is extruded and glued to the back of the form, providing additional rigidity. The bottom edges are torn along a perforated line, the shape is slightly bent and placed on the finger. For orientation, there is a center line on the form.

Before final fixation on the finger, the form is given the desired slope - it should continue the line of the nail, without deviating up or down.

After adjustment, the “ears” are carefully glued together to fix the shape on the nail. The bottom edges of the form are glued to the finger. The shape is adjusted individually for each nail.

Stages of nail extension with single-phase gel on forms

Due to its ease of use, single-phase gel is optimal for those who are just learning the art of nail extensions. Beginners should build each finger separately.

After developing practical skills, it is important to follow the order of extensions: first, 4 nails (except the thumb) of one hand, then 4 nails of the other, last of all, the nails on the thumbs are processed - otherwise the gel will drain from them due to their angled location.

Extension step by step with gel on forms:

  1. Preliminary preparation of nails:
    • antiseptic treatment;
    • hygienic manicure;
    • filing the edge of the nail and the nail surface;
    • cleaning nail dust;
    • application of dehydrator and primer.
  2. Installation and adjustment of the form.
  3. Applying the first gel layer. The layer is made thin by distributing the gel with a brush over the entire area of ​​the nail. Apply a thin layer of gel to the first third of the nail at the base - the cuticle area. In the stress zone (the remaining area of ​​the nail, the line connecting the nail and the form, a third of the form), the layer thickens slightly, because This is where the bulk of the load falls. Toward the edge of the modeled nail, the layer thins again. The layer is polymerized - under a UV lamp for 2 minutes, under an LED lamp - 1 minute.
  4. Applying the second gel layer. A drop of gel is applied to the middle with a brush and carefully distributed over the surface. Then you need to hold your fingers horizontally for half a minute so that the gel is evenly distributed over the surface of the first layer. The polymerization conditions are the same as for the first layer.
  5. Removing the sticky layer– produced with a lint-free napkin.
  6. Removing the stencil.
  7. Surface grinding and adjusting the edge of the created nail.
  8. If necessary - application of decorative coating.

How to use three-phase gel - step-by-step instructions

Extension step by step with three-phase gel on forms requires the master to have certain experience and qualifications.

Sequencing:


Extension lesson: French on forms - step by step with photos

Classic French manicure (French) is a plain, discreet background (flesh or pinkish tint) and a clearly drawn white “smile line” along the edge of the nail. The appearance of extended nails has led to a new round of popularity for the French style, which looks especially impressive on nails of a regular geometric shape.

When creating a jacket using molds, it is lined with gel of the selected color.


Step-by-step extensions with gel on forms are performed for any nail shape.

Stages of performing French on forms:

  1. Preliminary preparation of nails.
  2. Installation and adjustment of the form. The edge of the form is placed under the nail, the other edge is fixed on the finger.
  3. Applying a layer of base gel. To give it a matte finish, you can blot it with a napkin.
  4. The nail is formed with gel of the selected shade (pinkish, flesh-colored) - up to the border of the future “smile”. “The Smile Line” is laid out very carefully. The surface must be perfectly flat.
  5. Using a brush, a white gel is used to form a smile contour; the gel is applied close to the main color. The layer is polymerized under a UV lamp for 2 minutes, under an LED lamp for 1 minute.
  6. Removing the form.
  7. Grinding the surface and adjusting the edge of the created nail, removing sawed off particles.
  8. Apply a clear coat for protection and shine.

You can create a French manicure without using white gel. Then a “smile” is drawn on the formed nail with white acrylic paint, and the nail is covered with a protective layer of transparent gel, which polymerizes according to technology.

Gel-jelly extensions

Gel jelly is one of the latest developments in the field of nail design. The dense jelly-like consistency makes it a very convenient material to work with. Working with jelly gel takes noticeably less time than with conventional gels. It is easy to shape, convenient for correcting mistakes made during extensions, and convenient for repairing nails.

Setting time is only 5 seconds, polymerization takes 2 minutes. Manufacturers offer natural shades of gel-jelly: flesh-colored, beige, pink.

How to work with top forms

When using the upper forms, a template with an already formed nail is applied to the nail plate.

Step-by-step sequence of gel extensions on the upper forms:

  1. Preliminary preparation of nails is carried out.
  2. A nail is modeled on the inside of a sculpture gel stencil and the layer is partially polymerized in a UV lamp (20 sec) or LED (10 sec).
  3. A layer of base gel is applied to the nail plate to ensure adhesion to the artificial nail.
  4. The stencil form is pressed tightly in the desired position (without distortions) to the nail plate and fixed for 15-20 seconds.
  5. Using a pusher, excess gel mass is removed.
  6. The nail is placed under a lamp for final polymerization.
  7. The shape is carefully removed and the edge is adjusted with a nail file. The surface of the nail does not need correction, because... with this method it turns out perfectly smooth.
  8. A protective layer is applied.

This method is quite labor-intensive, but it is indispensable for repairing broken nails and correcting cracks and other serious defects.

Modern techniques and materials allow you to create a durable and beautiful manicure. One of these technologies includes gel nail extensions on forms. If you follow the step-by-step instructions, you can achieve an aesthetic and wearable manicure.

Video: step-by-step extension with gel on forms

How to perform gel extensions on forms, watch the video:

Find out how to extend nails with gel in the video:

The use of single-phase gel in the process of training novice nail aesthetics masters has long justified itself both in terms of the ease of understanding the technology and in terms of comparative savings. At first it is rare to...

Application single-phase gel in the process of training novice masters of nail aesthetics, it has long justified itself both in terms of ease of perception of the technology and in comparative savings. At first, it is rare for beginners to easily cope with a rather intense three-phase gel extension system, and with the implementation of capricious jackets.

Therefore, “single-phase units” have proven themselves to be excellent training material for beginning craftsmen; and if by this moment you have already mastered and tested the extension technology single-phase gel on tips, then it’s time to move on to more complex technology - gel extensions on forms.

Let’s say right away that the complexity of extensions on forms, as such, does not exist: simply, if in the case of extensions on tips the most crucial moment is to maintain the correct position of the tips at the time of gluing, then the forms - disposable paper or reusable Teflon templates - need to be trained to insert correctly under the free edge of the nail and fix them in this position.
So, for single-phase gel extensions on forms you will need:

  • 3 in 1 product - this product is simultaneously an antiseptic, a dehydrator and a means for removing the sticky dispersion layer; it can also be used to clean the brush after work;
  • orange stack sticks and (or) metal pusher;
  • a file for removing gloss and shaping the free edge for natural nails with an abrasiveness of 180 grit and above;
  • a file for giving the final shape to modeled nails with an abrasiveness of 100 grit;
  • lint-free wipes for removing the sticky layer;
  • disposable paper or reusable Teflon template forms;

Step 1. Treat your hands and the client's hands with a 3 in 1 product, push back the cuticle using an orange stack stick or pusher, moving from the cuticle to the free edge with a natural nail file, carefully making movements in one direction, remove the gloss from the natural nail and remove pterygium - special attention should be paid to the periungual sinuses.

Step 2. Remove the filing from the nail, degrease the nails using a lint-free cloth and 3-in-1 product. Remove the disposable form from the paper tape and place it under the free edge of the nail, connect the sides of the form and the “ears” of the form on the finger itself under your finger.

Step 3. Check that the form is installed correctly - if you look at the finger from the side, the form should serve as a clear continuation of the length of the nail, without lifting up or “pecking” down; check that the form is installed correctly relative to the center - the dotted lines marked on the form will serve as guides - they must be strictly parallel; The shape should fit snugly on your finger.

Step 4. Apply gel primer to the prepared nail, wait for it to dry completely (the nail plate should acquire a matte whitish color).


Step 5. Apply the first layer of single-phase gel onto the nail plate itself using rubbing movements and cover the form with it for the future expected length of the nail. Place your hand in the UV lamp for 1 minute (30 seconds in LED), then carefully remove the form - you should get a so-called base - an artificially modeled free edge of the nail.

Step 6. Without removing the sticky layer, begin modeling the nail architecture using a single-phase gel - form an apex, seal the ends of the nail - and place it again in the UV lamp for approximately 3 minutes (1 minute in LED); if there is such a need, apply another layer of material, observing the apex; remove the sticky layer with a lint-free cloth using the 3 in 1 product, file the nail with an artificial nail file with an abrasiveness of 100 grit or more, giving it the final shape and length; carefully remove the sawdust with a brush and use the 3 in 1 product again, apply to the skin around the nails

How nice it is to have a perfect manicure on your nails! But not every woman has the opportunity to do it: either the shape of the nail plate is far from ideal, or the nails are fragile and break for no reason. To solve such problems, special gel coatings are used, and if necessary, extensions are made. Nails are covered with gel not only on the hands, but also on the feet.

Gel nail extension technology at home

You can apply artificial material to your nails at any nail salon. But this can also be done at home. This is especially easy to do for those who have the necessary practical knowledge, a set of materials and tools:

  • a special lamp (usually drying with uv radiation so that the polymer hardens);
  • gel (the type is selected individually; single-phase, two- or three-phase can be used);
  • tools (a basic manicure set or a router with the necessary attachments when choosing a hardware type of manicure, buffs, nail file, etc.).

Using the gel extension procedure, you can achieve nails of any length. You can decorate them with any designs (there is much more room for creativity than on your own nails). Extended nails (if necessary) can be easily coated with any regular varnish. Removing the varnish is as easy as applying it, but the original design will not be damaged.

It is easy for a manicurist to navigate among the materials and choose exactly what is needed in a particular case. How to work with it is also not a problem for a professional. But if the gel is chosen for home use, then all stages of extension must be taken into account in order to obtain a high-quality result.


When growing your nails at home, you should pay attention to the quality of drying each layer of gel so that the final result is not disappointing. Also, do not apply the coating too close to the nail bed, so as not to injure it during the coating and modeling process.

And here is the video of the master class:

Types of gels

Beautiful nails can be obtained if you choose a high-quality coating material and use it correctly. Nails are extended according to the same pattern both in beauty salons and at home. The main thing is not to skip any of the stages.

Among artificial coatings, you can choose those that injure the nail plate and those that restore. They also differ in the duration of the extension.

Single phase

A beautiful manicure without additional bottles and jars is possible if you extend your nails with single-phase gel. It has the properties of both a base and modeling layer, and a finishing (top) layer. Single-phase products allow beginners not to worry about the sequence of applying layers, but to fully engage in nail modeling and design.


In order for artificial nails to have a decent appearance when using single-phase gel, you need to know some tricks and not neglect them. To form an attractive “hump” on the nail (apex), at the formation stage you need to turn the finger nail down. This is necessary so that a certain amount of liquid gel accumulates in one place, and the apex area has a convex shape. The result can be recorded by exposing the gel to an ultraviolet lamp.

Two-phase

The procedure and technique of extension with such a gel does not change at all. Only the number of required bottles is added: now you need two of them. One product serves as a base, and the second as a sculptor and top layer.


Two-phase gels are more reliable and durable to wear, but have the disadvantage that the protective function must be performed by the sculpting gel. It is applied in a very thin layer for the third layer - the “finish”. He often fails to cope with his duties, and a beautiful long nail simply bursts lengthwise.

Since the consistency of the two products is different, for two-phase extensions you need to have two brushes.

Three-phase

This type of extension is considered professional and the most durable. Three special tools are used here that have a specific purpose.


  1. The first product, the base, is applied to the nail surface prepared in advance. It is this that will firmly “adhere” the natural surface of the nail plate with the artificial coating.
  2. After drying, the sculptor is applied. This layer can be either transparent or colored gel. It is thick enough to slowly create the intended shape of the nail.
  3. Having gone through a complex procedure of nail formation and design, everything is eventually covered with a special product, which preserves an excellent manicure. It protects against everyday “provocateurs”: detergents, hard objects, impacts on a hard surface, etc.

Natural nails are coated with three different products, which is why the gel is called three-phase. The advantage of such gel nails is durability, but there is also a drawback - during the removal procedure and subsequent extension, the nail plate becomes thinner.

It is difficult to remove such nails on your own without special tools at hand. It is difficult to file extended nails with three-phase gel due to their high strength, and “tearing” them off the nail is completely prohibited.

Extension methods

Beautiful, well-groomed nails bring joy to their owner and are a source of pride to others. But among the people who admire aesthetic manicure, no one even realizes the efforts of a good master to achieve it. It happens that the nail is not suitable for applying any gels on top of it. Then tips come to the rescue, which are glued to the nail with special glue.

On tips

Although this method of extension is no longer considered a popular technology, it is used for self-extension. This is convenient, since there is no need to use sticker forms, and the shape of the nail is almost ready and only a slight correction will be needed. Tips are also used in the following cases:

  • the nail plate is wide and short;
  • the surface of the nail is severely depleted and cannot be re-extended;
  • there is an allergic reaction to the gel (then tips are selected that completely cover the nail from the nail bed itself).

In order for the nail to end up looking attractive, you need to choose the right material for extensions: the tips should best suit the width of the nail and the shape features (flat, convex). It is also better to choose a color that is close to natural.


The procedure for applying the gel has its own characteristics if you use tips as a base instead of your own nail, but many stages are the same. Any type of gel can be used.

  1. Trim your nails, do a hardware manicure, after removing the cuticle - degrease, glue the tip to a certain notch on it.
  2. Form it as intended using a cutter (type cutter). To create a durable manicure, clean the surface of the tip with a nail file or cutter until it is rough. Treat the nail with a buff.
  3. Further, the extension technology does not differ from that inherent in one or another type of gel.
  4. After growing your nails, use cuticle oil and hand cream.

Any colored varnish can be applied over these nails. And it will last much longer than on your natural ones.

Using natural plates

This method of extension is one of the most successful in terms of manicure quality. The principle of this extension is to take your own nail as a basis and give it greater strength. In such cases, it is popular to use biogel. It ensures the health of natural nails, with its help you can create a fashionable manicure, and it also gives your nails a shine that is close to natural.


Biogel is recommended for use by those with fragile and depleted nails, as well as those who are afraid of spoiling their loved ones. - a popular procedure among those who want to minimize trauma to the nail plate and at the same time have the goal of getting a wonderful manicure. The only downside of this gel is that it does not extend nails longer than 5 mm.

In very rare cases, two-phase and three-phase gel coatings are used, but they are not relevant for preserving the natural nail, as they destroy its structure. If biogel is used, it acts on the nail like a single-phase gel: it acts as a base. So is the top (finish).

Advantages and disadvantages of gel nail extensions

Although extended nails look very attractive and provide an opportunity to elevate your manicure, they also have many disadvantages. The first of them is . A fairly thin nail plate is reluctant to accept the effects of special extension gels. This makes the recovery course last longer than wearing artificial nails.


  1. Toxicity. Many ladies do not realize that they absorb many toxic substances along with the nail coating material. Although modern products try to enrich with a minimum of toxins, they still exist and are absorbed into the body through thin nail plates.
  2. Permanence of correction. Nature always takes its toll, even after extensions. Your nails will still grow. That is, constant corrective procedures will be needed, since proper care of artificial turf will not ensure a presentable appearance all the time.
  3. Burning when building up. This uncomfortable moment during extensions is quite possible if low-quality material is used or the first layer of gel was applied in a very thick layer.
  4. Removing extended gel nails is not easy. This requires long-term cutting of material and a reserve of patience. Simply tearing off the coating is a dangerous action, which entails an unpresentable appearance of the nail and its unsuitability for future extensions.
  5. If you apply colored polishes over a gel nail, then they will look very unnatural.

In any case, when creating artificial nails it is very difficult to replicate the structure of natural ones. But even many negative facts about extensions do not make this procedure less popular.

Proper care of artificial nails

It would seem that, well, it has grown, the problems with constant nail care have been solved. But that was not the case. A careless attitude towards your gel nails can not only ruin the overall impression of a manicure, but also doom the owner to constant additional procedures.

Every girl dreams of a beautiful manicure. After all, it gives a well-groomed look to the hands and pleases its owner with a unique design. But unfortunately, not all girls can grow long and strong nails. Many people face the problem of fragility. Then, having broken one, you have to cut off all the others, which are so difficult to grow back. In this regard, innovative ways to create nails that you can only dream of come to light. Among them, gel extensions are actively gaining momentum. Using step-by-step instructions and studying videos from manicure specialists, a novice master will be able to recreate the technique at home.

Variety of gels and extension techniques

Among the many modern tools to give nails a perfect look, gel extensions are rapidly gaining popularity. The gel is a viscous substance that hardens when irradiated in a UV lamp or from exposure to a special activator.

The material comes in different types. There are several systems for creating an artificial nail. Transparent construction, camouflage color and stained glass gels are used, and techniques consisting of one, two and three stages are applied.

The three-stage technique involves the use of a base, a constructor and a top. Two-phase is distinguished by the absence of a separate substance for modeling and uses only base and top. Construction occurs with a foundation gel. In a single-phase system, one type of substance is consumed for all three phases. They create a shape and use it as a basis for design. During playback, a single-phase system is used. Camouflage has a translucent texture with a hint of pink. The colors may be different, but the same range is maintained. From it you can create nails that are closest to natural. They work with it using a three-stage method. The colored one is applied to the transparent one, depending on the design - it covers the extended tip or the entire plate. Stained glass gel is always a transparent substance with multi-colored shades. It is used in a single-phase system and is self-leveling. It is also used for design.

The listed materials have different purposes, so it is impossible to say for sure which one is better. After all, if any of these methods were inferior to others, then they would have abandoned it a long time ago. Therefore, the type and construction method should be selected based on the expected appearance.

Photo gallery: extension gels

Transparent gel is used to model the nail Camouflage gel gives the most natural look to the future nail Colored gel has a wide selection of colors for nail design Stained glass gel is often used in creating designs, as it creates a unique look

Gel reconstruction methods

There are two fundamentally different ones. The first involves the use of tips. Tips are an artificial imitation of a nail made of a special substance similar to plastic, which are attached to a natural plate, and the connecting and strengthening material is glue and a building gel.

Tips vary in rigidity and the more elastic they are, the more natural it looks. The second technique is designing onto a form for extensions. They vary into upper and lower. They themselves resemble a kind of stencil filled with a gel coating.

Photo gallery: various tips and forms for extensions
Square tips are most often used for extensions. Almond-shaped tips for colored tips imply the presence of a certain design.

Forms for extensions before use Reusable forms for upper extensions with gel Forms for lower extensions in use

Gel extensions on tips take much less time than working with forms - on average an hour and a half. Due to its simplicity, design using tips costs less - from about 1,500 rubles. However, plastic nails have some disadvantages. They can move away. If you glue them incorrectly, air will remain under the artificial fragment, and this is an environment for the development of fungus. The stress zone - the junction of real and artificial nails - is weakly strengthened with this extension. It's not very difficult to break it. And since the tip is attached with fairly strong glue, most likely, part of the living nail will come off with the tip. If this happens, significant damage will be caused to the plate, not to mention the pain experienced. In a word, this type of design is suitable for neat girls with a standard plate who save their time.

Form extensions are a more lengthy process and can last longer than three hours. This is due to the long drying time and creation of the architecture of each layer. Thanks to the design on the forms, it is possible to correct imperfections and give the nails a perfect look.

They are strengthened from base to tip and become quite difficult to break. The modeling event eliminates the entry of air under the extended part, which will not allow harmful microbes to develop and prevent peeling. This is more expensive than tips - starting from 2300 rubles. Prices vary among different specialists, but they are always higher for forms. Such nails are more difficult to break than those extended with tips. The lack of versatility of plastic bases gave impetus to a new technique - arched extensions.

The problem with nail extensions is that it is impossible to adjust the shape of the nail. Although they are faster to model, they are only suitable for those with regularly shaped nails. In fact, the usual lengthening occurs, wide nails look even wider, those growing upwards are raised, and those that grow downwards are bent. In this regard, a fundamentally new method of constructing molds with gel has recently gained popularity. The so-called arched extension solves all the problems faced by owners of non-standard nails, namely trapezoidal or growing upward (springboard) or downward (eagle beak). Nails extended in this way are formed taking into account the relief of the nail plate, making them grow straight and similar to each other. They last for about 3 weeks, after which correction will be required. The interesting thing is that if you use this technique for about a year, the nail plate is leveled, it becomes narrower, the nail lengthens and becomes stronger.

This type can only be done by a highly qualified specialist who has undergone expensive training. This is because it is very difficult to create a new perfectly rounded architecture with the correct geometric proportions. The main difference between an arched nail is the shape of the bend, which should be 25–50% of the circumference.

Necessary items for designing nails at home

  • Things from the list above will be needed by those who decide to model their nails themselves:
  • several files of different hardness, for example, abrasiveness 80/80, 100/100, 120/120;
  • polishing buff for the nail surface;
  • a set of brushes for manicure;
  • a primer that ensures adhesion of the artificial part of the nail to the real one;
  • orange stick as a pusher;
  • small scissors for manicure;
  • cutter for cutting excess length of tips;
  • dust brush;
  • tips or shapes (depending on what to build on);
  • glue for tips, if used;
  • ultraviolet lamp;
  • clips for arch extensions (if necessary);
  • antiseptic that disinfects hands;
  • napkins are smooth, without lint;
  • modeling substance;

liquid to remove sticky layer;

Photo gallery: extension items
Files of different abrasiveness
Buff is used for polishing
Primer for better adhesion to the nail Manicure scissors Orange sticks as a pusher Cutter for trimming excess length tips
Brushes are needed both for extensions and for subsequent design Standard tips for extensions Lint-free wipes for removing the sticky layer Arch manicure clip
An antiseptic is required before extensions
Dust brush
Top gel that completes extensions
Liquid for removing the sticky layer after modeling

Step-by-step instructions for beginners: extensions with tips

  1. First you need to process and file your nails, remove the cuticle and protect them with an antiseptic.
  2. You need to choose suitable tips that are slightly wider than your own nails.
  3. Degrease the surface of the nail. If it is not smooth, you should use gel before gluing the tips to level the plate.
  4. Apply glue to the tips from the reverse side, focusing on the marks. At an angle of 70 degrees, gradually apply the tips to the nail plate, squeezing out the air from under them.
  5. After holding each nail motionless for about 1 minute, release it and then begin the straightening process. File the protruding artificial nail down to the level of the real one and trim it to the desired length.
  6. Next, apply the construction gel, dry for 3 minutes and then file down to the required shape.
  7. Apply two more layers of gel corresponding to the selected extension system. Polish the surface if necessary, add design.

Video: instructions for gel extensions on tips

Step-by-step instructions for constructing molds

When building on forms, there are similarities in some stages with working on tips.

  1. Hands are disinfected and degreased.
  2. The primer is applied at a distance of 1 mm from the base of the nail. Great care is required; it should not get on the skin.
  3. Apply a layer of base with the same care and dry for 3 minutes.
  4. The most suitable stencils without gaps are used. The gel is placed on the mold and dried for 2 minutes.
  5. Camouflage gel is used to form the bend and edge.
  6. The area where the natural nail and the gel nail meet must be thickened more than the edges. After application, dry for 8 minutes.
  7. The sticky layer is removed with a nail file. The design determines further actions.
  8. If you want to get a French look, you need to apply several layers and dry each for 40 seconds. Remove the stencils and apply a special clamp for 5 minutes. After this, remove the clip, shape it with a file, cover it with finishing gel and dry the nails for 2 minutes.

Video: master class on arch extensions

Possible errors when building up

Basic set for a beginner nail extension artist:

Sometimes seemingly newly grown nails begin to peel or crack in the stress area. In this case, most likely the technology was broken at some stage. Some of the possible mistakes when building up:

  • perhaps, when polishing the native nail, it was over-cut, which made it too thin and all subsequent actions were in vain;
  • Inappropriate shapes may have been used and gaps may remain;
  • during work, air got under the tips;
  • poor degreasing before the procedure, primer getting on the skin;
  • improper formation of the center of gravity on the nails;
  • using old blunt objects;
  • applying design varnish before the top layer;
  • improper removal of the previous coating;
  • violation of other gel modeling techniques.

Design ideas, new items for 2017

Painting all your nails the same is a universal solution, but not always interesting. Now girls are trying to make their manicure as unique and original as possible, to the point that the design of each nail may differ from the other. In 2017, the fashion is for holes, broken glass, various French, matte, various rubbings, foil effect, monograms, pixies, rhinestones, gradient. All kinds of designs are possible. Square and almond-shaped nail shapes are trending.

Photo gallery: fashion trends 2017

Delicate design in a combination of gray and white on almond-shaped nails. An unusual jacket on pink polish using gold beads. A matte jacket with patterns is ideal for any occasion.
Designs decorated with rhinestones are a fashionable solution The gradient is represented by a smooth transition from white to pink on square nails The white color on these almond-shaped nails looks perfect Triangular holes with pearl-colored beads look well-groomed and beautiful Black and white French on square nails with the addition of rhinestones Matte and rhinestones look great on almond-shaped nails
A lunar manicure made of black and gold will complement a daring look. Rubbing gives the nails a pearlescent shine. Pixies and delicate pink on almond-shaped nails will always be relevant. Silver foil gives the nails an interesting mirror look. Broken glass looks chic on any nails. Holes on the nails in combination with glossy burgundy look daring and stylish at the same time. Foil gives your manicure a unique and original look.

Gel extensions appeared in connection with the problem of fragility and the inability to grow long nails of the correct shape. And it successfully solves this problem. Two types of extensions are popular among girls around the world at approximately the same level. Despite the fact that arched nail extensions are much better due to their strength and the ability to adjust the shape, doing such nails at home is very problematic. And not everyone wants to mess around for 3-4 hours. Therefore, tips do not become obsolete. This is the simplest and fastest method of gel extensions; it can be easily done at home using suitable tips and following the technology. If the procedure is carried out correctly, the risk of nail detachment is minimized and the disadvantages of this extension become not very significant. One way or another, both types are successfully used, the choice is only up to the fair sex.


Before you decide to do your own nail extensions, you need to study advantages of this event, and of course, do not ignore minuses. Let's consider positive sides:

  • Procedure light: after several trainings, extensions are available to any savvy girl who has not previously had anything to do with nail procedures.
  • With the help of the gel, it became possible to give your nails a well-groomed appearance and hide small defects plates.
  • The gel does not emit any odor either during application or during wear.
  • In most manufactured gel products safe composition. The gel does not cause general allergic reactions: individual intolerance is possible.
  • Gel extensions are considered one of the most long-lasting: nail plates difficult to damage due to a thick layer of artificial material.
  • Extended nails look beautiful and aesthetically pleasing: skillful and careful extensions do not distinguish artificial nails from natural nails.

Another main advantage that requires special mention: gel extensions help overcome the habit of biting fingers and free edges of the nail plate. After the first wear you can see the result.

As with any cosmetic procedure, there are several benefits to gel extensions. cons, which we will talk about below:

  • There are enough materials and tools for extensions expensive: It cannot be said that the procedure will be much cheaper than in a salon. Savings occur due to the exclusion of payment to the master from the pricing chain.
  • Building up spoils nail plates, despite the fact that almost all masters convince you otherwise. A long absence of oxygen access to the nail plates cannot have a positive effect on the tissues of the body.
  • Do-it-yourself nail extensions take 1.5 times longer to do in a salon. This is due to the inconvenience of applying the composition to the non-dominant hand.
  • Too much frequent correction– the extension becomes visually unusable already in the third week of wearing.
  • If extensions are not applied correctly, voids may form under the nail plates. This is potential focus of development of infectious inflammation.

Making a decision weigh both scales: think about whether you are ready to sacrifice time or the health of your nails for the sake of a beautiful shape and well-groomed hands.

Contraindications


Gel extensions are wrong many contraindications, however, if you see yourself in at least one point, you will have to give up the idea of ​​getting beautiful nails at home or in a salon:

  • Cuts, open wounds, cuticle inflammation
  • Diseased nails: brittle, peeling, uneven, fungus
  • Taking antibiotics, chemical irradiation procedures.


We invite you to familiarize yourself with the photo, which shows the anatomy of the nail in detail. This diagram will greatly simplify the understanding of the extension procedure in the future.

What to do after the decision is made


If the information above has not discouraged you from growing beautiful nails, let’s get started. First of all, you need to decide shape nails, material for extensions, and of course, purchase the necessary tools if you don’t have them.

Form


To understand what shape of nails you want, look at the photo. Choose a shape based on your own preferences and be sure to familiarize yourself with what kind of manicure

Please note: the most convenient and least traumatic shapes are the classic oval or square.

Material for length


Choose the most suitable material between the two proposed options:

Supporting materials:

  • Tack remover
  • Primer
  • orange stick
  • Files, tweezers
  • Composition brush
  • Polishing pad


Let's consider the procedure for gel extensions on tips. This the technology is simpler than molded, but also requires skill. Follow the step-by-step instructions to quickly learn how to do beautiful nails, without leaving home:

  1. Process hands with an alcohol-containing solution. It can be a tonic or an antiseptic: the solution’s task is to disinfect hands and degrease the nail plates.
  2. Push the cuticle towards the base of the nail: it shouldn't interfere imposition of tips.
  3. File your nails: they should completely follow the shape of the tip. After that remove with natural nails a shiny layer. Wipe off the dust with a napkin.
  4. Select a tip according to the size of the first nail: in the future, the procedure is repeated for each nail.
  5. Apply a drop of glue onto the hole of the tip and press it to the nail plate for 15 seconds. Remove excess glue without allowing it to dry on the cuticle or body of the tip.
  6. Process the free edge of the tip: cut to the desired length and form the desired shape. Treat the tip's body with a buff and apply primer.
  7. After the primer has dried, apply the gel composition. Dry for three minutes in a UV lamp. After that apply gel a second time and repeat the drying procedure.
  8. From dry nails wipe off the sticky layer, degrease and apply topcoat. Dry.
  9. Remove sticky bits from finished nails and lubricate the cuticles with oil.

Make sure that during the extension process the gel composition does not come into contact with open areas of the skin. Their untimely removal leads to subsequent damage to the manicure.

Form extension (top and bottom stencils)


Shaped extensions are difficult for a beginner: we recommend that you first practice with type extensions, and, with the experience gained, switch to shaped extensions. The sequence of actions is described below:

  1. The beginning of mold extensions is no different from type extensions: disinfect your hands, remove shine from natural nails, degrease them.
  2. Apply base coat, then dry it in a lamp for 180 seconds.
  3. Place the stencil on your nail. With the top extension, it is fixed on the nail, with the bottom extension, under the nail, respectively.
  4. Apply gel composition from the tip of the free edge: make sure that the composition is distributed evenly. Dry.
  5. If you are extending onto lower shapes, form an S curve when reapplying the gel. Dry. With upper forms, this point can be skipped.
  6. Remove the sticky layer from the surface of the nails and remove the template.
  7. Sand the surface until even the slightest imperfections are removed. Remove dust.
  8. Apply finishing coat dry 2-3 minutes in the lamp.
  9. Degrease the finished result and rub nourishing oil into the cuticle.

Video instruction will help you better understand the extension process.

The article reveals in as much detail as possible the nuances of nail extensions, exposing all the pitfalls and difficulties. If you are ready to learn, are not afraid of mistakes and can survive a bad result without being disappointed, you should definitely try yourself as a professional hair extension specialist. We hope that the article on how to extend nails with gel at home was useful, and the step-by-step instructions improved your understanding of the process.