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Let us get into how to do polygel nails at home. I can safely say that I have stopped going to the nail shop altogether and I have been doing my own polygel nails at home. And therefore that means that I have saved a ton of money because trust me to get my nails done where I live typically I have to pay close to $100 and I do not have to worry about going to the nail shop.
So I am going to teach you how to do polygel nails at home. But first I must say that this takes some practice it did not come as super simple as the commercials would like you to believe and also there are some supplies that I added to my at-home nail shop that makes this a lot easier.
First, you can watch my video below of me doing my own polygel nails to get a basic understanding of how to do polygel nails at home. But I must say that this video was when I first started and I have gotten a lot better since this video.
I have picked up some tips and tricks that will teach you how to do polygels at home and to make them a lot easier for you. You can watch the video below and do not forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel by clicking here. Post contains affiliate links.
And for all of you who would rather use poly gel nails on short nails or to use their natural nails, I have a video for that too. In case you do not want to use the extenders, you can watch that below.
How To Do Polygel Nails At Home What You Will Need
I first started with the Makartt set. The sets come in different colors but I started with the Pink Makartt set which you can click here to buy. The kit comes with dual forms, a lamp, and multiple pink colors. If you are not feeling pink that you can see additional suggestions below on the various types of colors, they have that includes the entire kit.
Now as a fair warning the lamp that comes with the kit is pretty small and it takes forever to dry. Like legit you can fit one or two nails in there at most and you must sit your nails underneath the lamp multiple times in order to get your nail dry.
This is why I ended up getting a larger UV lamp that is pretty affordable, that will try all of my nails at once, and is more powerful. This was worth the upgrade and it decreased the number of times it took to do my nails. You can click here to see the lamp that I use.
I also found that having an electronic nail file helps as well. You can click here to see the one that I have, once again pretty affordable and well worth it. This helps file down your nails, shape your polygel nails, and when it comes time to take off your polygel nails this electronic file helps tremendously. At first, I was using the file that came with the kit however, that file can be very time-consuming.
Nail clips you can click here to buy, this is an add on that I found to be beneficial as well. Often times while you are doing your polygels before they dry they can slip or not lay flat as they are in the dryer. Using the nail clips will help the nails dry close to your nails bed, and keep it in place while your nails are drying under the lamp.
As I have been doing my nails, I have also added additional colors and décor to my collection to create more versatile looks. Some of these things include additional colors, glitters, and even stickers to apply to the nails you can view some additional décor below that will help you not only learn how to do your polygel nails at home but to also give yourself different designs.
Step 1: How To Do Your Polygel Nails at Home Prep The Nails
First, you must file down your own nail on the top. You can use a regular file but this is also where the electronic file comes into play. Because the electronic file will also help you get the skin around your nail. If you want your polygels to last you need to file your nails so that the polygels can grip better to your nails leading to them lasting for longer.
Next, you need to apply a base coat to your nails. Once again this will help the polygel grip to your natural nail thus leading to a longer-lasting effect. Once you apply the base coat to your nail you will need to put it under the UV lamp to dry.
Step 2: How To Do Polygel Nails At Home ~ Apply The Gel To The Dual Forms
When you are placing on your dual forms you want to fit all of them first and make sure they fit exactly. If by chance you get a dual form that is too small, even in the slightest bit then your polygel nail will pop off prematurely. When applying the gel to the dual form you can use the spatula and the brush in order to spread the gel evenly all over the nail.
But honestly, as I started doing my nails more and more I learned an easier and faster way to complete this process. Just spread the gel on the dual form and then press it on the nail and the gel will evenly distribute all over your nail naturally. Watch the video below to see more of what I mean. Once you put on the dual form an optional step that I like to add is to put the clips on each nail to keep them in place and then place them in the UV lamp.
This is where having the bigger UV lamp comes in handy because you can use the clips to keep the dual forms in place on your nail, while you do each nail and dry all your nails at once. With the smaller lamp, you will have to dry one or two nails at most under the lamp. Once again it can be very time-consuming.
Step 3 Finish It Off
Once your nails are dry then pop off the dual forms and then shape the nail with a regular file that comes with the kit but this is where I have found the electronic file to be a lot easier and faster. Shape the nails from the side and from the top. Lastly, add the topcoat that comes with the kit and sit under the lamp one last time and that is it.
Below are some of the looks that I have created with some of the glitter sets and other décor that I bought. I hope this really showed you how to do polygel nails at home and trust me at first you may get frustrated but if you practice you will find your own flow on how to do things and it will get a lot easier. The nails typically last two or three weeks MAYBE even four. So, they are durable and last a long time.
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This is great, however I am wondering how thick of a “coat” of the polygel you need? I also have one of the smallest lamps I’ve ever seen, how many times should I dry each nail?
Thanks for this article, it’s great
The coat can be as thin or as thick as you want. I work a lot with my hands so I make it thicker otherwise it may crack. I would put the dryer on 60 secs to make sure it is dry.
Hi, is there a certain type of base coat to use?
There should be a base coat that comes with a kit. But a gel one.