Nail extension with gel polish on tips. Gel nail extension at home: step by step instructions for beginners. Preparing for the process

Nail extension is a fairly common service in the modern world. For various reasons, girls cannot grow their nails on their own, so they resort to this procedure. There are many positives here. For example, tomorrow you were invited to an important meeting, and your nails do not look very presentable. A couple of hours spent in the salon will make them a real masterpiece. And if you want, you can learn how to do this procedure yourself.

To do this, you will need special tips that simplify the work. Let's find out in detail how to make a manicure using special blanks, what types are.

The specifics of the technology of nail extension on tips

Translated from English, tips means tip. Plastic tips are a special tool that is used during acrylic building. These blanks artificially lengthen the nail plates, and this is convenient, especially for owners of short nails and fingers. They are reusable, so if desired, each girl can create her own collection of tips, coloring them in advance with the desired color.

Plastic blanks have a contact area that is glued to the natural nail plate and a free edge that forms the length. They are white, transparent, colored, with a finished pattern. They are also made of different quality, so when choosing, you need to pay attention to some subtleties:

• Their similarity with natural nails should be maximum.
• The ends must be blunt so as not to cut yourself.
• Elastic, flexible, thin to last longer.
• From above and inside the surface should be perfectly smooth.
• You can attach them on your fingers with a gel or acrylic coating.

Gel

• Compared to acrylic, the composition of the gel includes a smaller amount of allergenic substances.
• Under it, the natural nail plate is better preserved.
• In case of mechanical damage, the coating must be completely removed and a new one built up.
• The removal process occurs by cutting, sawing.

Acrylic

• Able to dry with the assistance of air, so you do not need to dry your fingers in a UV lamp.
• It tolerates temperature changes well, is more elastic, less susceptible to brittleness.
• You can remove it with a special solution or acetone.

What is needed for this procedure

In order for the extension procedure to be successful, prepare the necessary equipment.

• Tips.
• A nail file of high rigidity for processing extended nail plates. Less rigid for processing natural.
• Polishing buff.
• cosmetic adhesive.
• Tip cutter.
• Degreaser.
• Tassel.
• Primer.
• Acrylic powder, liquid.
• Fixer.

Instructions for nail extension on tips

Preparation

Before you start the process, you need to prepare your fingers. Spend a hardware or edged manicure, remove the past coating. After you have given your nails the same length and shape, removed the burrs, cuticles, rough skin, you can proceed. It is recommended to wash your hands well, treat your fingers with essential oil, and let it dry completely.

Acrylic nail extension step by step

gel extension

fashion ideas

Liquid

With the help of a special blank and means, the basis of the artificial nail plate is created. The plastic form is reusable, it can last about two years. Often, an aquarium manicure is created in this way. Colors and patterns can vary greatly. Liquid tips for nail extension can be used by women who have problem nails.

Acute

Sharp tips for nail extensions can be purchased ready-made or made independently. They visually lengthen the fingers, make them more sophisticated, feminine. If you have thin fingers, then it is better to refuse this form, because it will not look very good. The edges of sharp shapes are weak, prone to brittleness, so you should be extremely careful with them. If damaged, this design is not subject to correction.

Square

Square shapes look more natural. When choosing an average length, it will be difficult to distinguish them from natural nails. But if your nail plates are small, your fingers are plump, then it is better to refuse this form. With very thin, long fingers, it is also better to avoid them. Square ones are less prone to damage, very comfortable, practical to wear.

oval

The most popular was the oval shape. It looks spectacular with any length, shape, thickness of the fingers. It is convenient to wear such nails, because they do not have sharp corners that will cling or break.

almond-shaped

The almond shape is different from the oval because it really does look like an almond. Looks very elegant on the fingers, feminine. Such a manicure attracts the views of others, so take care of its perfect appearance.

Video: how to make nail extensions on tips

Modern women cannot even imagine life without well-groomed nails. Manicure has firmly entered our lives, we are happy with new color options, design, decor, and shape. Thanks to modern technology, even girls with the most problematic nails can wear a beautiful manicure. Someone prefers to go to salons, other girls like to create, do manicures on their own. If you want to learn all the subtleties of nail extension on tips, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the step-by-step instructions in this video. Each step of creating such a manicure is shown and described in detail here. You will hear the advice of a professional.

https://youtu.be/ICJWPXARrz8

This video contains a detailed lesson with step-by-step instructions for salon nail extension using the french tip technique. Look, follow the process, listen to the advice of the master.

Now you know how to make nail extensions with tips, what blanks are. Share your feedback, additions, suggestions. What length and shape of nails do you prefer the most?

Almost every woman dreams of beautiful and long nails. However, the lack of vitamins, washing dishes and many other factors do not allow to grow the desired length. Fortunately, there is such a procedure as nail extension, which allows every woman to become the owner of beautiful and well-groomed. What types of this procedure are and what are their differences, this article will tell.

Extension types

Currently, such a procedure as nail extension has become familiar to most women, because it allows you to forget about manicure for about 1 month. However, before going to the procedure, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with all its types in advance in order to choose the most suitable method for yourself.

There are two main extension methods:

• on tips;
• on forms.

Let's consider each in more detail.

tips

Tips are plastic plates that are attached to the nail at one end and form its free edge with the other. They are glued to about half the area of ​​​​the nail plate. The length of the free edge should not exceed the area of ​​the glued tips, otherwise the nail may break in the future.

The most durable tips are made of special ABS plastic. Such material is not afraid of high temperatures and aggressive detergents.

Plastic can be of a very different color (transparent, milky, etc.), length, bend, which allows you to choose the perfect option for a wide variety of nail plates.

The plastic is attached to the natural nail with special glue, after which it is given the required length using a special tool - a tips cutter (boat). Next, the surface of the nail plate is leveled with a nail file (the border of contact between the nail and the tips is removed), and it is shaped. Finally, the plastic is fixed on the nail with a gel or acrylic.

It is worth remembering that the specialist removes the length of the tips with a small margin, since after laying out the gel or acrylic, additional sawing and the formation of the required shape will occur.

With high-quality extensions, such nails last from 3 to 4 weeks.

Forms

They are disposable products made of paper or foil, with which the free edge of the nail is formed. The outer side of the paper is coated with a special layer that prevents the building material from sticking to it. The other side of the product is adhesive, which allows it to be securely fixed on the finger.

In addition to disposable forms, there are also reusable options that are made of metal and fixed with special clips. Such a variety must be sterilized before each new use.

The form is fixed on the finger, substituting a special window under the free edge of the nail. After the form is fixed on the nail, its free edge is formed using gel or acrylic. There are special markings on the product that characterize the future length, you just have to choose the one you need. After choosing the length, the master lays out the material for building up on top of the form, reaching the required border. Further, after the substance has hardened and the nail plate has formed, the form is removed.

The disadvantage of this method is that the natural nail must have a small free edge, at least 1-2 mm, otherwise the shape simply will not hold. Therefore, for short-cut nails, extensions on tips are more suitable.

Forms after the formation of the free edge and the nail bed are removed and discarded. Tips, on the other hand, remain for the entire time the nails are worn until they are corrected or completely removed.

extension material

If we consider the build-up according to the material used, then it is divided into two main types: helium and acrylic.

The main differences are that acrylic dries in the open air, while the gel requires drying in a special lamp.

Let's consider each material in a little more detail.

Gel

It is a thick, jelly-like substance.

Gel comes in 2 types:

1. Single phase. This type of material implies that in one jar there will be 3 types of gel at once to create different layers (base, modeling, protective). This option is ideal for beginners.
2. Three-phase. This variety consists of 3 gels in different jars. Three-phase gel is more often used by professionals, as it guarantees a better and more reliable extension.

The main advantages of gel nail modeling include:

• appearance. Nails look natural, they shine and do not turn yellow;
• no unpleasant odor;
• ease of use. The material is able to spread itself over the nail plate, it does not dry out in the air, so you can work with it longer, carefully forming each nail. In addition, this material is easier to cut and give the necessary shape;
• ease of correction. During corrective actions, it is not necessary to cut off the entire surface of the gel, it is enough to file down the regrown or exfoliating parts.

However, in addition to the advantages, the gel also has disadvantages:

• firstly, for this modeling method, a special lamp is used, the ultraviolet rays of which can lead to premature aging of the skin;
• secondly, a material such as gel is less durable. For example, with a strong temperature drop, the surface of the nail may crack;
• thirdly, in order to completely remove the gel, you have to use the sawing technique, which thins the nail plate. In addition, dust generated during sawing can be harmful to health if inhaled. That is why when working, you should wear masks, gloves and use a hood.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a material for nail modeling, which consists of powder and monomer. A liquid substance is added to the powder, as a result of which it acquires the state of gruel. This mixture freezes in air. Surface hardening occurs quickly (within a few minutes), but complete polymerization is achieved after 24 or even 48 hours. That is why when building with acrylic on the first day, physical impact on the nails should be avoided.

This material also has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of acrylic include:

• strength. This material has a higher strength;
• just shoot. To remove the material from the nail, it is not cut off like a gel, but dissolved with a special solution;
• With it, you can make beautiful decorative elements on the nail.

The disadvantages of this method include the following points:

• possible allergic reaction and unpleasant odor. Often a person is allergic to acrylic, and not everyone likes its smell;
• less natural look. When building with acrylic nails do not look so natural, their surface will be matte and may turn a little yellow over time;
• dries quickly in the air, so you need to work with it very quickly.

In addition, acrylic is considered more harmful to the body than gel. When choosing an acrylic extension, you should definitely pay attention to the composition. A substance such as methyl methacrylate is very toxic. That is why you should choose products containing ethyl methacrylate, which causes less harm.

other methods

In addition to acrylic and helium extensions, there is a combined method that combines all the best qualities of each type. This variety allows you to get strong and shiny nails.

The master can perform a combined extension in several ways:

1. The base coat is done with acrylic. Next, a gel is applied over it to give the nail plate shine.
2. The basis of the nail is a gel, on top of which acrylic is applied. In this case, acrylic is used to create decorative elements (flowers, etc.).
3. The specialist uses the correction of acrylic nails with a gel.
4. The master alternates materials.

Another type of extension is silk. With this form, a fabric is used: fiberglass, linen or silk. These materials are pre-soaked in a special solution that makes the fabric hard. Silk extension helps to preserve the health of the nail and make them more beautiful. However, this method is less popular.

There is also a biogel extension, the composition of which is more natural. Among the components of the biogel there are useful substances (proteins, vitamins, etc.). Such material allows the nail plate to breathe, it is safe and elastic. With its help, not only nail extension is carried out, but also the strengthening of the natural nail plate. The undoubted advantage of the biogel is that it is removed not by sawing, but with the help of a special liquid, thereby eliminating mechanical damage to the natural nail. The downside of this extension is its fragility.

The main stages of building

To roughly understand how the procedure goes, consider the main stages of its implementation.

gel

The main stages of building on forms:

1. Disinfection, filing natural nails and pushing the cuticle (if this has not been done before) with an orange stick or a pusher. If you do not carry out such a treatment, then when the nail grows, the gel will leave precisely at the points of contact of the material with the cuticle.
2. Removing shine. With the help of a coarse file (abrasive about 180 grit.), Shine should be removed from the nail plate and roughened. Most importantly, do not overdo it, otherwise you can ruin the nail plate.
3. Removing dust and treating the nail with an antiseptic.
4. Next, the forms are substituted under the nail, and its surface is treated with a primer (improves the adhesion of the gel to the nail plate).
5. After that, a thin layer of gel is applied to the natural nail plate and dried in a lamp. The exposure time depends on the gel itself and the lamp power.
6. Then, without removing the sticky layer, the free edge of the nail is formed with the help of the gel, going a little on the natural nail plate, and dried in a lamp.
7. Then a third layer is applied more densely, which is also dried in a lamp. With the help of a modeling layer, a bend is formed, and the nail with a free edge is also fastened.
8. Next, remove the form, remove the sticky layer and proceed to the formation of the nail. It is sawn, leveled, its surface is polished with a buff, and dust is removed with a brush.
9. When the nail is fully formed, it is degreased and the design is performed.
10. At the end, the finish is applied in a thin layer, the free edge is sealed, after which the nail is dried in a lamp. To soften the cuticle, it is treated with special oil.

If a three-phase gel is used, then each new layer (base, modeling, finishing) must be taken from a different jar.

During the application of the gel, it is necessary to ensure that it does not get on the skin and nail folds, otherwise the material will subsequently begin to peel off.

Acrylic

If acrylic is used, then the steps for building are as follows:

1. Processing of nails before building up takes place in the same way as with the helium modeling method.
2. After treating the nail with a primer, the master dilutes the acrylic powder with a monomer and picks up the acrylic ball on the brush.
3. After that, he transfers the ball to the nail, evenly distributing it over the entire plate with the help of patting movements of the brush.
4. If forms are used, then the specialist begins to apply acrylic from the free edge of the nail, starting to equalize the acrylic ball from the marked length down to the nail itself. After applying each ball of acrylic mixture, wipe the brush thoroughly.
5. As soon as the free edge has been formed, the master proceeds to lay out the nail bed, necessarily stepping back from the nail folds and cuticles.
6. Before the material hardens, it is given a bend.
7. As soon as the acrylic hardens, the forms are removed and the nails are straightened, designed and glossed.

These are just the main stages of building, without mentioning most of the nuances.

In order for the nails to please their owner with beauty for as long as possible, you should remember a few simple rules:

1. It is best to go for the procedure with a pre-removed cuticle. That is why you should carry out a manicure 2-3 days before building.
2. On the day of the procedure, you must refuse to take a bath, as well as use for hands. Moisture and fat that remains on the nail plate is difficult to remove even with the help of special tools. If the surface is not completely degreased, then this will affect the quality of the extension.
3. In order not to aggravate the condition of the nails, extensions should not be carried out on a too thin or damaged nail plate.
4. Avoid the procedure for the duration of taking or antibiotics, which can affect the duration of nail wear. Chemotherapy is also a contraindication to building.
5. It should be borne in mind that some diseases, as well as hormonal disruptions (during pregnancy, menopause, etc.), may affect the quality and duration of wearing artificial nails.
6. When washing dishes or working with other household chemicals, be sure to use gloves.
7. In the absence of building skills, you should not remove or cut your nails yourself, it is better to carry out all actions with an experienced master.
8. Treat the periungual ridges and cuticles with special oil, and take care of your hands with creams containing vitamin E.
9. To minimize the damage from building, it is periodically recommended to take breaks and at this time resort to restorative procedures for the nail plate.

Beautiful nails will decorate absolutely any woman and make the image truly complete. The most important thing is to choose the most suitable variant of the procedure for yourself, as well as contact only experienced craftsmen, follow all his recommendations and make corrections in a timely manner. And then the nails will always delight you with their beauty and impeccable appearance.

Nail tips, one of the easiest and fastest ways to get beautiful artificial nails. After reading our article, you will learn about what you need to build nails with tips, how to choose the right shape of tips and how to stick them on your nails. Also in the article there is a detailed step-by-step instruction for nail extension.

What are tips and their history

Most of the girls know or approximately understand what tips are. Tips are frames resembling a nail plate in shape, made of plastic, nylon or polyflex.

The first plastic forms appeared back in the seventies, they were made by hand, so only noble people could afford to wear beautiful artificial nails. They were the same length, due to the lack of manufacturing skills, the first tips were very thick and rough. Since 1974, the mechanized production of tips began. Plastic heated to 150 degrees was poured into special metal molds. After cooling, the molds were opened and finished tips were taken out.

Materials for tips

Over time, nail extensions on tips became very popular, so plastic frames began to be produced in large volumes. Tips are made from various materials, often using three types of substances:

1. Polyflex - frames made of this substance are often used when building nails on gel tips, such use is due to fast and strong adhesion. The substance has good elastic properties, does not collapse under the action of acetone.
2. ABS plastic - the name arose because of the components that make up the substance, namely: acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. ABS is the most common material used to make tips. The frameworks are durable, highly elastic and have good adhesion to extension materials.
3. Nylon is an impact-resistant material that holds its shape perfectly, has high elasticity, and is easy to model. However, nylon frames are not suitable for building nails with tips at home, since they are difficult to stick to the nail plate.

Regardless of what material the tips are made of, they must be of high quality. To check the reliability, you can slightly bend one of the frames along the length.

If, after a slight fold, a white stripe appears in the center, then the tips are of poor quality.

Varieties of tips

Tips differ not only in the material from which they are made. They have different shapes and colors. To make nail extension on tips easy, you should choose the right form that suits a particular type of nail plate.

Tips forms

Tips are available in various shapes to create a specific nail design.

Varieties:

1. Classic - have a smooth natural curve, suitable for almost all types of nails. Most commonly used by professionals. Often sold in packs of 50 copies, the cost is from 250 rubles.
2. Straight - in this form, tips do not have a contact zone, so they are also called non-contact tips. Due to the lack of a contact zone, they are often used for French design. For 150 rubles you can buy a set of 100 copies.
3. Tapered tips - used to create nail shapes such as stylet, bridget, cat nails. The set includes 50 tips, you can buy a set for 150 rubles.
4. Curved frames are indispensable for nail extensions on tips in the American style.
5. Almond tips - used to quickly give the nail an almond shape. They come in different lengths, most often they do not have a contact zone, which makes it easier to create a French design. The price for 50 pieces varies from 100 rubles.

Each of the species described has a different length, which is written on the package. Manicurists use the maximum length of tips, special nippers are used to change the length.

Color spectrum

In addition to the shape, tips differ in color. Manufacturers produce a variety of colors to create the perfect manicure.

• transparent - ideal for almost any design;
• flesh or natural shade - to give the nails a natural look;
• colored - it is easy to draw a picture without using the main color of the varnish;
• with a pattern - tips are used to quickly create a beautiful manicure;
• french tips for nail extension - quick creation of the perfect french manicure.

How to choose tips

Every girl wants extended nails to look as natural as possible. In order to achieve this result, you should buy thin, but at the same time durable tips. The thicker the frame, the worse it will look on the nails. You should not save on material, it is better to purchase tips from well-known companies so as not to fall for a fake.

When buying tips, you need to consider not only their length, but also the shape. The better the frame lies on the nail, the easier the extension process will be. If it is difficult to find the right size, then you can take the tips a little more, attach to the nail and use a file to remove the extra edges.

When choosing tips, you should pay attention to the stop line, the length of the free edge and the contact zone. The free edge is thicker and longer than the contact zone. The stop line is a conditional separator between the contact zone and the free edge. The tip of the nail plate should rest against the stop line.

Tips should be cut with a tip cutter, do not use scissors or other cutting tools.

If the natural nail is slightly raised up, for convenience and a beautiful manicure, the free edge should be made of medium length. With defects in the nail plate, it is best to use glue-gel, it is able to fill cracks and recesses, leveling the natural nail.

Features of the contact zone

The contact zone is a thin part of the plastic frame, similar to a dimple. The recess should fit snugly against the nail, in contact with it. Glue is applied to the contact area, only then the tips are glued to the nail plate.

The contact zone is of different lengths. It varies from three to six millimeters. The shorter the nail bed, the smaller the contact area should be.

The contact zone can be:

• with several slots;
• round;
• deep;
• V - figurative;
• small;
• big.

In the process of building, the contact zone is sawn off. Nail extension on tips at home is best to start with non-contact frames. In such species, there is no possibility of design violations.

Liquid tips

Progress does not stand still. Since 2010, liquid tips for nail extensions have been widely used in the nail industry. Such frames are made of a flexible polymer material. Liquid tips are called due to the fact that a gel is placed in them, which has a liquid structure. The molds are very durable and can be used up to 200 times.

To work with liquid tips, you do not need to buy additional glue and many forms, it is enough to purchase a gel and a rotary UV lamp.

There are 50 tips in the box, such a kit costs from 1500 to 2500 rubles. One set is enough for professionals for almost two years. Liquid tips save not only the time allotted for building, but also money. For beginners in the online store there is an opportunity to purchase complete sets, which contain not only tips, but also a suitable extension gel.

Building on liquid tips

Step-by-step instructions for nail extension on tips for beginners:

• remove the cuticle in any convenient way;
• grind the nail plate;
• degrease the nail;
• apply a primer hitch;
• attach tips to the nail, choosing the most appropriate size;
• determine the size; for this, special markings on the form are used;
• using a brush, put the gel into liquid tips;
• grease the mold evenly to the selected length;
• glue the form with the gel to the nail;
• holding the shape, dry the nail for 10 seconds under the lamp;
• after drying, remove the tips;
• using a brush, apply a layer of gel on the finished substrate, forming a stress zone;
• dry the nail under the lamp;
• remove the sticky layer;
• shape the free edge;
• apply top gel, it should be remembered that it should be without a sticky layer;
• dry under the lamp for a few minutes.

Video "Liquid Tips"

The video shows step-by-step instructions for gel nail extension on liquid tips.

Advantages and disadvantages of liquid tips

• easy to substitute to a natural nail;
• multiple use of tips;
• no need to apply glue on the nails;
• no need to trim the tips to give the desired length;
• the creation of a French manicure is faster due to the highlighted smile line;
• can be used even on very short nails.

Flaws:

1. Before using liquid tips, beginners in the nail industry should attend gel nail extension lessons on tips.
2. Not suitable for people with wide nails.
3. You need a rotary lamp, when drying in a conventional UV lamp, the gel may spread.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a durable, quick-drying material. Acrylic nails are elastic, after extension the nails are thin and look natural. When using acrylic at home, you need to choose a well-ventilated room, as the substance has a specific aroma.

Extension tools

Before moving on to creating an artificial nail using tips, you should check whether all the tools are at hand.

List of materials:

• building material - acrylic;
• primer or degreaser;
• liquid for dissolving acrylic - monomer, with a volume of at least 50 ml;
• a set of tips;
• brush for applying acrylic powder;
• nippers for cutting tips;

• nail file with abrasive from 100 to 180 grit;
• lint-free wipes;
• alcohol or other disinfectant;
• a jar with a lid, needed for the monomer;
• dust brush;
• glue for tips;
• oil or cuticle softener.

After purchasing all the necessary materials, you can start creating beautiful nails.

Instruction

Before starting any manicure, wash your hands well with antibacterial soap. If this is not possible, then the skin of the hands is treated with a disinfectant, alcohol or antiseptic.

Extension process:

1. File the free edge of the natural nail.
2. Remove cuticles with an orange stick.
3. Remove oily sheen from nails with a nail file.
4. Choose the right tips for each nail, the contact zone should cover less than half of the nail plate.
5. Tips numbering starts with the number 1 and ends with the number 10, the first size is the widest, then the width goes down.
6. Arrange the tips after the selection in order.
7. Saw down the edge of the contact area on each frame.
8. Degrease the nail plate.
9. Apply glue to the area of ​​the contact zone, distribute it evenly.
10. Tips should be held at an angle of 45 degrees, so that the glue does not spread.
11. Apply tips so that the stop line is in contact with the tip of the natural nail.
12. Press the frame to the nail plate and hold until firm adhesion.
13. Adjust the length of the free edge with a cutter.
14. Using a file, give the frame the desired shape.
15. With a buff, reduce the border between the tips and the natural nail, so that when you run your finger over the plate you do not feel the bumps.
16. Mix acrylic powder with monomer until a plastic mass is obtained.
17. Using a brush, evenly distribute the acrylic mass along the entire length of the nail.
18. You can remove excess thickness with a nail file.
19. Apply fixative to the nail.

After the fixer has completely dried, the nails can be coated with a plain varnish or create a special design. For beginners, it is better to use colorless acrylic for nail extensions on tips, and light pink color is suitable for. Nail extension on tips using acrylic is a very easy and simple procedure.

Gel

One of the main materials used by nail art masters to build up nail plates. The gel is easy to apply on the nail plate, it lays down well and does not dry out as quickly as acrylic. Therefore, nail extension on tips using gel will be an easy and exciting procedure that even inexperienced masters can handle.

Extension tools

The list of inventory that is needed for gel nail extensions is very similar to the list using acrylic powder. The only acrylic powder and monomer is replaced by a gel, and instead of a jar for liquid, an ultraviolet lamp and a liquid to remove the sticky layer are purchased.

Gels will need three types: camouflage or modeling gel, base and gel finish.

Instruction for beginners

Step-by-step gel nail extension on tips, the first 15 points are identical to acrylic extension. Nails should be filed, oily sheen removed and cuticles pushed back. Starting from point 16, gel nail extensions on tips will differ from acrylic designs.

Gel application steps:

• open a jar of base gel;
• drip the gel into the center of the nail plate;
• evenly distribute the material over the entire surface of the nail, leaving 1 mm indents from the tank rollers and cuticles;
• dry the nail under ultraviolet light for 3 minutes;
• apply modeling or camouflage gel, leaving most of it in the stress zone, in the cuticle area and on the free edge, the gel layer should be minimal;
• dry the layer under the lamp for three minutes;
• remove the sticky layer;
• form the arches of the nail;
• use a nail file to make the free edge of the nail thinner;
• clean the nail with a brush;
• evenly distribute the gel finish over the nail;
• polarize the nail for 2–3 minutes;
• remove the sticky layer if the finish coat leaves it;
• smear the cuticle with oil or an emollient.

The gel allows the nails to breathe, it does not have a specific smell, so this material is more popular in contrast to acrylic powder.

french design

French manicure gained its popularity a long time ago and still holds a leading position. French nail design can be done in two ways:

1. Express - quick nail extension on french tips. To do this, you need to buy special tips, with a traced smile line. Stick them on a natural nail and cover with a finishing gel.
2. The standard creation of a jacket assumes the presence of a light pink camouflage gel. It is applied after the base layer to the entire surface of the nail. After drying and removing the sticky layer with a white gel, a smile line is drawn. Finally, you need to apply a topcoat.

Glitter extensions

If you want to make a bright, shiny manicure, then the modeling gel can be mixed with sparkles. It must be applied in the same way as described in the step-by-step instructions. To give a more saturated color, you can make two brilliant layers. Each dry separately under the lamp.

Nail care

In order for artificial nails to look beautiful and last longer, you should monitor their condition. It is advisable to make the first correction two weeks after the extension. Subsequent ones can be delayed for three to four weeks, it all depends on the growth rate of the natural nail.

When working with chemicals and with a lot of water, it is advisable to wear gloves so that the nails do not peel off. Sudden temperature changes should not be allowed, as the gel nail may crack. To remove varnish from artificial nails, you need a liquid that does not contain acetone. Extended nails should not be tapped on the table or other hard objects.

from extensions to forms

After looking at the table, you can understand which type of extension is better to use.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• rapid increase in length;
• less chance of allergies;
• ease of extension, which even a beginner of nail art can easily cope with;
• you can make smooth nails, even on deformed nail plates;
• you can create an exclusive nail design, maximum length and various shapes.

Flaws:

• difficult to achieve a natural look;
• at the first stages, large expenditures of funds are required;
• due to the thick free edge, artificial nails are inconvenient to use.

Extended nails have long been popular among girls who cannot boast of the length and strength of their natural nails. Artificial nails look natural, do not cause inconvenience, are worn for 2-3 weeks, which makes their mistress happy. In order not to spend money on trips to expensive nail salons, you can master the step-by-step gel extension technique on your own, at home. We will talk about this later in our article.

Advantages and disadvantages of gel nail extensions

Nail extension is a safe and modern procedure. It has several advantages:

1. Rapidity. The extension procedure will take no more than two hours. The rest of the time depends on the complexity of the chosen design.
2. Strength. With careful care, the gel will last 2-3 weeks. The plasticity of the material allows it to hold out on the nails for a long time.
3. Small financial costs. Gel extensions are cheaper than acrylic extensions.
4. Fast correction. A broken nail can be re-growth in just half an hour.
5. Strengthening nails. Permanent build-up will make natural nails more durable: they will be under a protective layer.
6. Wear duration. You can build up nails for about a year with timely adjustments every 2-3 weeks.
7. No toxic smell when building.
8. Nails "breathe". The properties of the gel allow light, air and moisture to pass through, so that they will not dry out and break.

Gel extension has its disadvantages:

1. Possible burning during the procedure;
2. It is impossible to “repair” a nail if it breaks, it is necessary to build it up again;
3. Nails break under strong mechanical stress;
4. High sensitivity of the material to temperature changes;
5. Difficult withdrawal. It will not work to eliminate the gel with a special liquid, but you will have to use the apparatus or a file.

What to choose: Gel or Acrylic

Acrylic is a mixture of powder and liquid - a special liquid. It instantly freezes on the nails. has the following advantages:

1. Acrylic does not contain toxic methyl methacrylate;
2. Strength of manicure;
3. Acrylic is not affected by temperature changes.

However, acrylic can cause allergies and is also not breathable. Acrylic coating does not have the gloss that is characteristic of the gel.

Gel nail extensions are more environmentally friendly, since the polymer is a natural material, which cannot be said about acrylic. The gel helps restore nails, while acrylic, on the contrary, can adversely affect the structure of the natural plate.

Forms or tips

Gel extension is carried out using forms or tips, to determine which option is right for you, you need to pay attention to the type and shape of the nail plate:

1. Oval or almond shaped. Both types of extensions are suitable for this form. However, for building onto forms, it is necessary that the tip of the plate protrudes 2 mm from the bed. If the plates are very short, only extension on tips is possible;
2. Flat nails. Both procedures are also suitable for them. But for a too wide plate, there may not be enough tips, so you have to use the forms;
3. Trapezoidal. For them, only tips with a small contact area, having an S-bend, are suitable;
4. Nails are bent down. They are only suitable for forms;
5. Burnt plates. In this case, building up can be done only with tips, having previously aligned the tip of the plate.

What is needed for gel nails

Gel extensions require special equipment, materials and tools. Below is what you need for gel nail extensions:

1. . It is necessary for the polymerization of the material;
2. Disinfector;
3. Forceps;
4. tips;
5. Glue for tips.

Types of nail extension systems

There are three extension systems at home:

1. Three-phase. It is considered to be of the highest quality. To use it, you will need a gel, top and base. The base coat provides adhesion of natural nail platinum and gel. The gel gives the nail shape, and the top protects the plates from external influences.
2. Two-phase. In this case, the top coat is not used, its role is played by the second layer of gel.
3. Single-phase. For this type of extension, you will need a universal gel that will do the work of three products at the same time.

Technique of nail extension on tips

The technologies for building plates and tips are somewhat different. Below is a step by step nail extension for beginners.

1. It is necessary to remove the cuticle, polish the surface of the plate with a buff, file the free edge, remove dust with a brush and degrease the nail.

   Prepared nail

2. Pick up tips for each nail in size. It is very important that when trying on tips there is no gap between the tips and the nail, so a flat tip is glued to a flat nail, since a convex one forms an air pocket when glued.

   

   The height of gluing the hole should be at least 1/3 of the length and not higher than 1/2 of the natural nail

   

   Tips should overlap from one corner of the nail to the other

   

   Tips fitting

3. Apply a drop of glue to the tip hole area.

   

   Applying glue to tips

4. Press the tips firmly against the nail plate for 10 seconds.

   

   Tips are glued at an angle of 45 degrees to the free edge of the nail

   

   We press the tips to the nail

5. The excess edge of the tips is removed with forceps and the artificial nail will have to be shaped with a nail file.

   

   Giving the desired shape to the tips

6. We clean the seam of the tips with a file without touching the natural nail and cut it down until the seam is completely removed, we clean the rest of the seam with a buff.

   

   Remove the seam tips on the nail

7. We clean the tips with a file until the shine is completely removed, after which we apply a primer to the natural plate and wait for it to dry completely

   

   Apply a primer to a natural plate

8. Applying the first layer of gel on a natural nail and drying it in a lamp for 1 minute.

   

   Apply gel to natural nail

9. Application of the second "leveling" layer of gel on the nail and tips. Dry it in a lamp for 1-2 minutes.

   

   Cover the nail with a second layer of gel

10. Removing the sticky layer with special wipes and a solution.

    

    Removing the sticky layer

11. The finish is distributed and dried.

    

    Ready, extended nail on tips gel

How to care for gel nails

The durability of extended nails largely depends on how the girl takes care of them. To do this, you must follow a number of simple rules:

• During the wearing period, it is necessary to lubricate the cuticle with special oil so that the nails retain a beautiful, aesthetic appearance until the correction itself;
• It is recommended to renew the gel coating every 2-3 weeks, because, firstly: strongly regrown nails look untidy and ugly, and secondly: untimely correction of extended nails increases the risk of their breakage several times;
• It is necessary to cut down the old material during the correction very carefully and carefully, preferably not with a file, but with the help of a special manicure device, so as not to damage your own nail plate;
• When working in everyday life with various detergents and solvents, it is necessary to wear rubber gloves.

Thus, it is easy to perform gel extensions at home. To do this, you must have special tools and equipment, as well as strictly follow special instructions.

Today, nail extension remains the only way to get a chic manicure with the desired length of nails in a short period of time. A high-tech scheme involves the use of special plates - tips made of plastic material. The template is attached to the free edge of the natural nail and modeled using gel, resin or acrylic.

Manicurists use tips only from well-known manufacturers. This is due to the concern for clients, the preservation of the healthy structure of their nails and the duration of wearing extended plates.

Plastic templates of various shapes and sizes are produced, which allows you to choose the material for any nail plate. Colors and shades will create a natural effect.

Manicure on tips is suitable for the following cases:

• with very short natural nails;
• if you have a bad habit of biting your nails;
• - with very small sizes of the nail bed.

The procedure of building up with various technologies should be abandoned in the following cases:

• damage and cracking of nails;
• during pregnancy and lactation;
• during treatment with antibiotics or when using hormones.

You also need to postpone visiting the salon before the menstrual cycle or in its first days.

Features of the method

Building on tips is a common procedure. The free tips of a natural nail are lengthened using a plastic template, which is subsequently given the selected shape and color. The material is selected taking into account the individual anatomical forms of the fingers and the nail rim. The plastic blank consists of two parts:

• a thinned contact zone, which is glued to a natural nail;
• sealed free edge.

Fixation of two surfaces is carried out with gel or acrylic.

Artificial plates are available in transparent, colored or with ready-made artistic painting, which significantly reduces the time to complete a manicure. It is enough to cover the colored plates fixed on natural nails with a top coat.

How is the extension

The building process itself is not particularly difficult, but still requires certain skills and knowledge for high-quality performance. Therefore, when choosing a master, you need to pay attention to work experience and the presence of a client base.

Materials and tools required for the procedure:

• tips, sized;
• fixative (acrylic, gel);
• (ultraviolet);
• antiseptic liquid;
• adhesive remover;
• finish coating;
• a flat-shaped brush for applying material;
• orange stick;
• a set of nail files for shaping and grinding;
• primer;
• polishing pad (buff);
• tweezers;
• glue for workpieces.

Step-by-step description of the process

The extension procedure should be carried out with knowledge of the anatomical features of natural nails in order to correctly remove the free edge and prepare for the procedure. You should know that this method can only be used on healthy plates. Before visiting the master, you should not use various hand creams. This may affect the quality of the clamping of the workpiece.

You also need to decide in advance on the shape of the manicure.

To do this, independently or with the participation of the master from the manual, one of the options is selected:

• clear square;
• soft square;
• almond-shaped;
• oval;
• stiletto, etc.

Any manicure begins with the preparation of the plate for processing. Extension is no exception. The duration of the use of artificial nails depends on the quality of the preparatory process.

1. The first thing to start with is carefully, having previously treated your hands with a disinfectant. You should try to avoid getting microtrauma. If, nevertheless, the soft tissue has been damaged, it is worth postponing the procedure for a few days until healing.
2. Remove natural shine from nails with a nail file or grinder. Movement should be directed in one direction. Use a special brush to remove dust from the surface.
3. Saw off the nails under the hole of the tips.
4. Treat the platinum with a degreaser. Try not to touch the treated surfaces with other objects until the procedure is continued.
5. Apply primer to dry nails.
6. Use a stacker or nail file to process the area of ​​​​contact between the tips and the nail for a tight fit. The width of the blanks must correspond to the parameters of natural plates.
7. On the tips from the inside, apply a drop of special glue and press it against the nail for 10 seconds. Pressing on the edge of the workpiece is carried out using two files.
8. Trim the artificial nail to the desired length.
9. Using nail files, give the plate the intended shape.
10. Clean the junction with a nail file. Treat the surface with a buff. At the end of grinding, remove the dust with a brush.
11. Apply primer.
12. Apply a modeling agent (gel) to the surface. Turn your hand over to evenly distribute the liquid over the nail plane.
13. Dry under the lamp.
14. Applying a second layer of modeling agent and drying again.
15. Remove the sticky layer from a dry surface with a special tool and a cotton pad.
16. Level the surface with a polishing file.
17. With a brush, clean the surface of nail dust.
18. Applying a finishing coat.

Comparison with other extension methods

In addition to building on tips, methods are used to increase nail plates on forms. Disposable paper bases or reusable metal blanks are attached using an adhesive compound or a special clip. Unlike tips, extensions on forms cannot be applied to short nails. You need at least a small free edge to attach an artificial blank. After removal, paper blanks are discarded, and metal blanks can be reused after disinfection.

When choosing a method, it is necessary to rely primarily on the shape of natural nail plates:

• for plates bending down, the method on forms is suitable, since the growing end will not be very noticeable;
• bitten fit tips;
• both methods are flat;
• it is preferable to use tips for trampoline-shaped ones, on forms it is possible to build up in case of applying gap correction with acrylic or gel.

A professional master will be able to build extensions on almost any form of nails in different ways. But you need to be fair in order to state the fact of the presence of a small number of real masters of manicure. Therefore, it is better not to use the opposite method when choosing a method.

Whichever extension technology is chosen, it should be remembered that an air cushion between the two surfaces is inadmissible. This will lead not only to rapid peeling, but also to possible infection of the natural plate.

Advantages:

• increase in nail plates in a short time;
• the material used does not cause allergic reactions;
• affordable way with respect to costs;
• technology on tips is performed much faster than other methods;
• does not have a destructive effect on the nail structure;
• the possibility of gluing plates on nails that are exfoliating and weakened by nature.

Flaws:

• difficult to disguise as natural nails;
• gel extensions are more expensive than other methods;
• the duration of wear and strength is inferior to building on the forms.

Care

Artificial plates do not exempt from everyday care. Long-term wear will require not only high-quality extensions, but also careful care. Although there are no particular difficulties in this case.

• Every day, rub a special nourishing oil into the cuticle area.
• Periodically apply a colorless coating on the plates to give freshness to the manicure.
• Timely carry out the correction procedure (every 3 weeks).
• Immediately contact the master when peeling off or tearing off a plastic blank.
• Do not allow air or moisture to enter under the plate, this will lead to infection.
• Remove only according to the instructions by sparing the effect on the nails.
• For gel and acrylic coatings, you need to use nail polish remover without acetone.
• When correcting, do not use scissors and nippers, processing only with nail files is allowed.
• Do not use baths, replace them with softening oils.
• Do not cover the plates with a thick layer of varnish.
• Avoid a sudden change in temperature, this can lead to breakage of the nails (for example, after a bath, dive into a cool pool).

Extended manicure is very easy to use, does not require much attention and maintenance. However, it is worth remembering that between procedures it takes time to restore the nail structure. If it is not damaged, then in any case it weakens. And frequent treatments with chemical compounds literally deplete the shell layer. Any problem is easier to prevent than to spend time and money on treatment.