💅Gel X Soft Extensions Recommendation & Mini Tutorial💅

    Hi ya'll, welcome back! 

    If you have seen my Gelx nails tutorial video on my YouTube, you probably remember me mentioning Amazon affiliate links and all the products below.

    If you mosied over here, I'm so grateful! I will walk through the items needed and in what order, and I will also provide those affiliate links here. 

    Disclaimer (1), this is how I, an untrained, at-home hobbyist, do her nails. Attempt at your own risk and do research before starting! 

    Disclaimer (2): all products in this blog post are affiliate links. You can also purchase without using the affiliate link, but using it helps me tremendously, so thank you! 

    

    Let's get started!

    After the general prep (cuticle removal, proximal nail fold pushed back, etc.), you will need to buff the nail plate. 

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    When learning to use this tool, watch tutorials before utilizing it. Use the lowest speed and apply minimal pressure to avoid injury. You only need to lightly buff the surface to ensure the products' adhesion, so there is no need to go overboard. Just ensure you buff the whole nail. 

    If you are cautious, using the rough side of the flat file around the nail manually works just as well, but it's a slower process. Similarly, though, a little goes a long way because the grit is so harsh. Use light pressure and ensure you buff the entire nail surface. You just need to put scratches on the surface of the nails to have the product stick. 

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  After buffing the nail, you will want to apply a dehydrator. You will be applying the dehydrator to the entirety of the natural nail. After the dehydrator has dried, apply a thin layer of the nail. You do not apply this to the nail tips; it will not help adhesion; it is only needed for the natural nail to be dehydrated and primed. Apply this to each of the natural nails 2x, dehydrator 2x, then primer 2x. Do not apply to the skin; only use a little on the brush to ensure you only apply to the nail. ⚠️Avoid contact with skin! Prolonged exposure to the skin can result in contact dermatitis or allergies!⚠️

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    Next, apply a thin coat of base coat to every nail and cure for 30 seconds in the UV LED dome lamp.

    Note: If you need help with the Gelx tips staying on, some people only need to buff and then use a dehydrator (so don't use the primer), and some even require less. I find on some people that buffing, then removing the dust via a brush and then applying the base coat, curing, and then moving onto the next step might work just fine. This is all up to the individuals nail plate and nail chemistry. 

    You will be using this top coat later to top off your nail art, so keep it nearby!

    ⚠️Avoid contact with skin! Prolonged exposure to the skin can result in contact dermatitis or allergies!⚠️

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    Next, the nail glue made for Gelx. After curing the base coat for 30 seconds, you will apply a thin layer to the Gelx nail tip, working from the base of the cuticle all the way to the top at a 45-degree angle. As soon as the nail is in position, you will want to flash cure with the stand-alone lamp for 10 seconds. After all the nails are applied, cure in the UV LED dome lamp for 60 seconds, twice. 

    Note: If you are having trouble keeping the Gelx nails on with Gelx-specific glue, it will sound crazy, but you might only need to buff, then brush away the dust, apply the thin coat of base coat, and apply the nails with the same basecoat. It's all up to the individual's nail plate and nail chemistry, so you sometimes have to play around a bit to see what works!

    ⚠️Avoid contact with skin! Prolonged exposure to the skin can result in contact dermatitis or allergies!⚠️

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    Well, how do we fill these nails in the future? You will prep the nail (remove cuticle, buff, and dehydrate/prime, etc.), then apply a thin coat of base, and then a thin coat of builder, and then build up the nail using builder gel until the nail is even. You can do fills up to 3x. You will then want to file the product down thin (but not to the natural nail!) and soak it off.  You can also use the Gelx-specific glue for fills, but it isn't as strong. It's more of an "in a pinch" solution, whereas the builder gel is the best option for strength and form. 

    ⚠️Avoid contact with skin! Prolonged exposure to the skin can result in contact dermatitis or allergies!⚠️

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    I like this brand of Gelx tips, but any type will do. Getting them longer is always a good option as you can cut and file to length, but I usually want mine short, so I get mine short. This brand comes in various sizes and shapes, and I like how easy they are to soak off!

    ⚠️Do not use any other type of nail tip for Gelx application; only nail tips that specify they are for Gelx application!⚠️Using other types of nails, i.e., drugstore press-ons, can increase the risk of becoming allergic to gel products. This is because the material doesn't allow the UV LED light to pass through and fully cure the product, increasing the risk of contact with uncured gel products on the skin. 

    After application, buff around the edges of the tip to ensure no lifting.

    After application, some people like to use a brush and a small amount of acetone to "seal" the tip to the nail plate. ⚠️Do this at your own risk as it can increase risk of sensitivity to acetone or gel products.⚠️

    I often apply a small layer of Gelx glue or builder gel to ensure the nail tip is sealed in. I do this by applying the nail tip close to but not directly by the cuticle so I can have a lip where the Gelx glue or builder gel goes over it to seal it in. 

    ⚠️Avoid contact with skin! Prolonged exposure to the skin can result in contact dermatitis or allergies!⚠️

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    If you already have the UV LED SunUV lamp I mentioned in a previous post, wonderful! If you don't already have that item, you should get one to make the process of applying the nails easier. However, you will also want this lamp because of the way the nails are applied. However, I highly recommend you get this free-standing single light because when applying Gelx, you need to flash-cure them to your nails. When you use the UV LED dome style lamp, you have to hold your nail and finger at such a weird angle, and it doesn't guarantee it was the correct angle, so there is a chance the gel doesn't cure properly, which can over time lead to ⚠️an allergy or sensitivity to gel!⚠️

    It is imperative that the gel cures completely during these processes. After using this lamp for each Gelx nail tip application, the domed lamp must be used to fully cure the gel. I recommend 60 seconds 2x to ensure a proper cure. 

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    Now, the fun part! Nail design! You can use regular nail polish or gel polish to adorn your new Gelx manicure. I often use gel polish as it dries in 60 seconds under the UV LED Dome lamp, and then I'm ready to go about my day with no worries about a smudged manicure. 

    After applying a layer or two to your desired opacity and curing, make sure to apply a thin layer of top coat and cure for 60 seconds. Then you are good to go!

    This is one of my favorite gel polish sets, and I use it all the time. The neon colors are so fun for summer, concerts, vacations, or raves! I adore the magenta for all the time as well. 

    ⚠️Avoid contact with skin! Prolonged exposure to the skin can result in contact dermatitis or allergies!⚠️

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    This is also a must-have if you are doing any sort of manicure at home. Cutice oil! After all the rough nail care your cuticles are probably confused. Using this nail oil daily, especially at night before bed, will help your manicure look its best by protecting the sensitive proximal nail fold. This will produce less cuticle and make the overall look of the nail softer. It helps in the future for prep, too, as a hydrated proximal nail fold is small, soft, and does not crack! If you get anything from this list- let it be this.    

    My personal pro tip is to apply the nail oil, wait a few minutes for it to absorb, and then apply a thin layer of Vaseline before bed to keep my nails and hands looking soft and smooth!

 If you have any questions or comments, leave them below! Also, let me know if you have any of the products I recommend and if you like them as well! Thanks for reading!

All products linked in this blog post are affiliate links. You can purchase without using the affiliate link, but using it helps me tremendously, so thank you! 

⚠️Remember you attempt home nails at your own risk, so use your best judgment, and ALWAYS research before you try any home beauty service or treatment! If you think you have an allergy, infection, or injury, immediately contact a healthcare professional.⚠️

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