List of tools and materials for gel nail extension

For those women and girls who do not like to waste time and money on nail salons, but prefer to do everything themselves, it will be more convenient to purchase the necessary tools and materials for any work with nails, including for nail extension. Moreover, problems with this no longer exist - everything is on sale to choose from and prices do not "bite", as only a few years ago.

For nail extension with gel you will need the following main tools:

• tools and items for removing cuticles;
• files;
• brushes;
• buffs;
• pusher.

Additional accessories may be needed during the process:

• cutter - nippers used to correct tips (reduction in length);
• brush - a product that has a pile of synthetic materials (it sweeps away dust from nails when they are filed);
• scraper - the same as a pusher, where one of the ends is a kind of ax.

Let us consider in more detail only those tools that will definitely come in handy in the process of work.

Removing keratinized or overgrown cuticles is one of the prerequisites for creating a beautiful nail image. Fortunately, nowadays there are a lot of different kits for home manicure, including, as a rule, scissors, nippers, tweezers and a nail file. An orange stick is a useful tool in this case, although it is usually not included in standard kits.With the so-called orange stick (or you can use a pusher-spatula), it is convenient to move the cuticle away from the skin of the finger for its further elimination.

The files are used for correcting the nail surface and shaping both natural nails and extended surfaces. The main distinguishing quality of the files is the level of roughness (stiffness): the lower the level, the harder the surface of the file and, accordingly, the more roughly it cuts. Usually, a file with a roughness of 180x240 grit is used for their nails, and 100x100 grit for artificial nails. But it also depends on the condition of the nails, that is, the indicator can change in one direction or another.

They serve as irreplaceable assistants both when applying the main gel coating on the nail plates, and when decorating, creating drawings, patterns on the nails. It is better to choose brushes with a stiffer bristle made of artificial material (two with straight edges and two with tapered tails).

Buff is called a file that has a square cross section and a lower level of roughness than conventional files. The inner part of the buff is made of foam rubber, and the outer part is covered with emery material. More convenient to use is the buff, in which each side differs from the other three in its rigidity.

A pusher is a double-sided metal stick designed to prepare the nail plates for applying the base gel on them - this side resembles a small knife - and for gently pushing back the cuticle - in the form of a small spatula - with its subsequent removal. Its surface between the tips is embossed for comfortable holding of the instrument.

For home nail extension will be required:

• molds and glue;
• gel polish (base coat and color gel);
• primer;
• topcoat (top).

Additional remedies will also help to cover your nails with gel at home, which we will also consider in this article.

Nail forms can be in the form of paper rolls (disposable, "bottom"), plastic ("top") and metal (reusable) templates. For each nail it is necessary to select its own shape.

The upper and lower forms are called according to the type of attachment to the nails: paper forms are fixed under a natural nail and gel is applied on top, and plastic forms must be filled with gel and then fixed over the nail surface.

Gel is a viscous substance that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet rays. With its help, you can create or correct the shape of the nail and the coating will look as natural as possible.

Gels for the extension procedure are divided into one-, two- and three-phase. For home use, a single phase gel is the best option due to its cost effectiveness and ease of use. Such a gel acts immediately as a base coat, a modeling and fixing agent (top) at the same time.

Two-phase gels are not included in the base coat. Such gels do not perform the functions of correction and protection of nails. When purchasing this option, you need to take care of the purchase of the so-called base.

Three-phase gels include each component (base, modeling gel and top) separately. The procedure for applying funds to the nail plates is as follows:

1. basic coverage (base);
2. modeling gel (color gel polish);
3. topcoat (top).

Let's consider the main components of the composition of gel varnishes.

• Photoinitiator. Thanks to this component, the gel absorbs ultraviolet rays.
• Film former. This component allows the gel polish to harden when absorbed by ultraviolet rays.
• Pigments. A kind of dyes that give color to gel polish, but do not interfere with the absorption of ultraviolet rays.
• Active diluents. Provide adhesion of the gel to the nail plate and impart viscosity to it.
• Fillers and additives. This refers to various glitters, additives for plasticity, and so on.

The composition of gel polish may contain the following substances.

• Castor oil. It is also known under a different name - riciniol. Varnishes with this component protect nails from harmful chemicals. The oil nourishes the nail plates with vitamins, which revitalizes them and gives them natural softness.
• Proteins. Useful substances, the presence of which can be determined in a practical way when removing the nail cover. If there was protein in the gel polish, then the nails will be smooth even after removing the coating.
• Nitrocellulose. This component gives the gel polish stability, glossy shine, elasticity.
• Acetates (butyl and ethyl). They give viscosity to the gel without accumulating in the human body (they do not have the ability to penetrate under the nail plate). Butyl and ethyl acetates do not have strong odors like formaldehyde or, for example, toluene.
• Ceramides. Substances, the use of which contributes to the growth of nails.

In the composition of gel varnishes, there may be harmful components. We will also list them.

1. Toluene. The substance gives strength and elasticity to gel polish, but can penetrate the nail and cause a burning sensation, itching. If toluene penetrates into the blood of a person, it can affect his health. A strong odor is one of the signs of a substance. In large doses or with frequent use, it causes allergic reactions, damage to the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract.
2. Formaldehyde. The substance makes the gel polish very elastic and strong. With frequent use, it destroys the natural strength of the nails, in connection with which the nails begin to break, crumble, exfoliate and turn yellow. This component can cause cancer.
3. Dibutyl phthalate. The component is used to increase the durability of the coating (lasts from a week or more). In addition, like the previous components, it negatively affects the functioning of the body - it can lead to disruption of the functioning of organs and to hormonal disruption. It has a strong negative effect on the quality of nails.

A primer is necessary to improve the adhesion effect of the nail plate with the gel and prevent the formation of various bubbles and irregularities.

There are two types of primers:

1. ultrabond, which is an acid-free primer;
2. nail prep (bond) - a primer with an acid content.

When using an acidic primer, the process of opening the nail plates occurs, due to which the base is better bonded to the nail plate. The acidic primer contains methacrylic acid.

Top is the topcoat used after the base and modeling coat has been applied. Top serves to strengthen the nail, giving it smoothness and shine.

Additional funds include:

• Degreaser (cleanser). The degreaser is used to remove stickiness from the nail surfaces during work at all stages: before applying the base layer, after the base, modeling layer, topcoat has hardened.At home, you can safely replace it with rubbing alcohol wipes. Manufacturers, on the other hand, offer more gentle, but also more expensive, acetone-free products.
• Tipsy. Products made of durable plastic that make it easy to model the desired shape of nails. Tips are easy to file, but it takes a lot of effort to break them. These products have three parts: the contact edge (glued to the natural nail plate), the extended length (it is thicker than the contact edge), and the stop line, which is located between the two previous parts. For a more natural look, tips are not only of different shapes, but also of length: with a narrow plate, flat, with a wide plate, convex, springboard-like.
• Lint-free napkins. They are rolls from which a part of the required length is cut. The nail plates are processed with napkins both dry and soaked in a solution (for example, in a degreaser).
• Cuticle oil. With the help of oil, the treated cuticle becomes soft, which prevents drying and cracking on it.

Gel polish will not harden without exposure to ultraviolet rays. In this case, an ultraviolet lamp is required, of which there is a huge variety now on the shelves. The curing time of the gel depends on the lamp power, the thickness of the applied gel and its consistency.

Lamps are classified into two categories:

• Household. With power ratings up to 36 watts.
• Professional. From 36 watts and above.

For home use, you can purchase a 24-watt lamp, but the best option would be 36. It is worth paying attention to the presence of a timer, which greatly facilitates the process of nail extension, since there is no need to keep track of the time the nails are in the lamp.

The more functions an ultraviolet lamp performs, the more expensive it is. At the same time, you should not purchase new-fangled lamps for your home (you will not need a fan, touchscreen monitor and, for example, a sliding bottom).

Among the many gel varnishes for building in our time we can highlight the products of some reputable manufacturers.

• IBD.
• Soak off from IBD.
• Balance Basic Clear Gel.
• Nubar.
• Madelon.
• CNI.
• Sagitta.
• Nogtika.
• Irisk Professional
• Formula Profi.
• Alex Beauty Concept.

The list includes manufacturers of gel polishes, the quality of which modern masters give their preference to. Each line of gel varnishes differs in consistency, color palette and other qualities that the master chooses for his own requests.

When buying several gels, you need to choose products from one manufacturer. Please note that the gel should be plastic in consistency (not too thick, but not too liquid) and not have pronounced odors.

The base coat should be transparent, odorless, and rather liquid in consistency than thick, as its layer should be thin.

It is also better to choose a transparent modeling gel for building (there are also translucent "stained-glass" design gels). This gel polish should be self-leveling on the nail plate.

Not so long ago, gum gel appeared on the shelves. The substance is similar to plasticine, it is pink in color. When working with it, drying is possible without an ultraviolet lamp.

You will learn more about tools and materials for gel nail extension from the video below.