Unlike acrylic nails, which can be shaped during/after application, you can’t shape gel nails once you’ve painted your nails, so the shape of your nails matters a lot here. You can totally skip all of the prep work and go right to applying the base coat, but you might as well do it right if you’re going to take the time to apply fancy gel nail polish!

The acetone will also dehydrate your nails, which will make it easier for your gel nail polish to adhere to the nail.

You can dry the base coat under an LED lamp for 1-2 minutes or let your nails air dry for 10 minutes. Totally up to you depending on how much of a rush you’re in. Some gel nail polishes will come with a specific primer to use instead of a base coat. If your gel polish has a primer, use that instead of the base coat.

Curing allows the polish to harden in a uniform way. If you don’t cure your nails under the lamp, the gel polish may dry unevenly. Gel nail polish stays wet until it’s cured under light. You cannot apply gel nail polish without a UV or LED lamp.

You can add a third coat if you really want to. It’s usually unnecessary, though.

You can totally use regular top coat products to protect your gel nails, although there are special gel top coats out there a lot of people like as well.

Finish off your gel manicure by rubbing a cuticle oil into the skin around the base of each nail.

This isn’t to say that you can’t take the gel polish off yourself—just that you’re running an additional risk of damaging your nails.

Avoid picking the polish off your nails. That can remove layers of your nail in the process, leaving them brittle and dry. [12] X Expert Source Mia RubieNail Artist Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.

Acetone is a little harsh, so be careful when you’re working with it. Also, keep in mind that the acetone is very drying to your nails, so they may be sensitive or brittle when you’re done. [14] X Expert Source Mia RubieNail Artist Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.

You probably want to do this one hand at a time. It’s pretty tough to use foil-covered fingers to wrap the second hand.

If there is gel stuck that you can’t remove with the cuticle stick, re-wrap your nails with another acetone-soaked cotton ball and foil. Let sit for another 10-15 minutes and try again.

If your nails look rough, apply cuticle oil to the surface of your nail and buff them using a nail buffer.