GEL X NAILS AT HOME

I have slowly been removing maintenance from my life. Spending $200 - $500 a month on grooming is crazy to me, it's only crazy because I actually used to do it. There is nothing worse than getting that "Hey boo" text and now you have to scramble to find someone new. Or like me, you have a provider break up with you as a client over nothing and you have to figure it out. Although I love my nail girl, til the mf end, I've always wanted to learn how to do my own nails. Gel X seemed to be fairly easy. I watched TikToks and tutorials and love doing my own nails.

Whether you’re a total newbie or already have a steady hand with nail art, this step-by-step guide will walk you through it. So, grab your nail kit here and let’s do Gel X nails at home.

STEP BY STEP

1. Prep Your Nails: Start by drilling, buffing and shaping your natural nails to your liking. Trim cuticles and wipe clean with alcohol wipe.

2. Pick, Prep and Size Extensions: Grab your Gel X extensions and find the right size for each nail. Trim if needed. Make sure the extensions meet your natural nail edge to edge and is not snug, we want a perfect fit. Take your drilbit or buffer and buff the inside of the bottom of the extension. This gives it more grit to stick to your natural nails.

3. Prep & Prime: Apply dehydrator to all nails. Then take your nail primer and apply two coats, curing for 15 seconds after the first and second coat. Take your Beetles Foundation Base Gel and apply a think coat over your natural nails, cure for 60 seconds.

4. Applying the Extensions: Apply a layer of Beetles Foundation Base Gel  to the bottom of extension, adding a little more to the bottom of the nail - take the brush and wipe it on the edge of the nail to add more gel to the bottom only (this part takes practice, too little at the bottom and it won't cover your entire nail, too much and it will spill over the sides). Angle the tip upward, meeting at the base of your cuticle first, then slowly pressing it down onto your nail bed. While pressing, flash cure under The Makartt Gooseneck UV Nail Lamp for 15 seconds and the extension will be cured on and secure. Do this finger by finger, not all at once.

5. Cure and Shape: Cure your nails under an LED lamp for a 120 (what I like to do, you can just do 60) seconds to set everything. Then, shape the extensions however you want.

6. Blend the Cuticle: This is probably the second most important step for your GelX to look professional. You will take your drill-bit or file (the drill is easier for this), and go over the area where the tip meets your cuticle WITH A LIGHT HAND, then take acetone with a brush and wipe it in the same area you just drilled. This will blend it and make it seamless.

7. Buff your Nails: Taking your buffer or sander drill-bit, buff out your nails.

8. Paint and Design: Pick your fave gel polish color and apply thin coats. Cure 60 seconds between each coat. If you're doing designs, cure after each step of the design so you can easily wipe off any mistake you make afterward without compromising your previous work. (Learned this the hard way)

9. Top Coat & Oil: Top it all off with The Beetles Top Coat to lock in that shine and protect your nails. Cure one last time (I like to do 120 seconds), apply your favorite cuticle oil, and boom sis, you're all finished!

   
   

BUILD YOUR KIT

WATCH THE FULL TUTORIAL ON TIK TOK

Now, when you're ready I created my kit myself, and use products that won't break your pocket. This is everything I use when doing my nails. My nails last 2+ weeks and NEVER pop off. Good luck angels!

SHOP MY ENTIRE STOREFRONT

*PLEASE READ*

1. This takes practice, do not rush. If gel gets onto your skin in any way, you are at risk of contact dermatitis. This is an allergic reaction that results in swelling, itching, peeling and irritation of the nails and fingers. In some extreme cases, your nails can develop fungi and fall off. If gel gets on your skin while applying your nails because we're all human and it can happen, wipe off the gel and clean your nails with alcohol or acetone before tying again.

2. NEVER apply press on nails with GEL. You must always use nail glue. Gel can not cure fully under painted nails. The gel will only cure on the edges making it seem secure, the center of the nail will be wet and you will get a chemical burn.

3. Always cure your nails again after flash curing your nails under the gooseneck lamp. The gooseneck lamp is not strong enough to cure fully and you can catch an infection.