Every girl knows: to look attractive, you must always follow the beauty of their pens. I want my nails to look well-groomed for as long as possible. The most common way to keep a manicure beautiful is to make extensions. However, not everyone can afford to visit an expensive salon every 3 weeks to receive this service. Therefore, many think about how to build your own nails. The article on this in more detail.
Ways to build nails
The method depends on the selected material. Two types are distinguished: gel and acrylic building. What is better to build nails?
Acrylic is a solid substance, it holds its shape very well, it is easier to remove. But it has a rather pungent smell. In addition, it quickly hardens - it will not be easy for a newcomer to manage to distribute the material before it hardens.
For the first experiment, gel is more suitable. Among its advantages are the following:
- Working with it is much easier, since it is evenly distributed over the nail.
- It's easier to make sawdust and give it the right shape.
- There is no unpleasant odor.
- It does not cause allergies.
- Tightly adheres to the nail plate.
The better to extend your nails, you decide. But if you are still a beginner, it is better to try the gel.
Essential materials for nail extension
Before going to the professional cosmetics store, let's make a list of the necessary tools and materials.
- UV / LED lamp. Without it, the gel simply will not harden. For starters, you can purchase the most affordable UV lamp with a power of 9 watts.
- Nail files. For a natural nail, a nail file with an abrasiveness of 180-230 grit is suitable, and for a sawdust artificial 80-100.
- Pusher to push back the cuticle. A more economical option is orange sticks.
- Tips, as it is easier for beginners to build nails on them than on forms. Special glue and tipsorez (can be included or sold separately).
- Gel brush. Choose flat from artificial bristles.
- Lint-free napkins.
- Antiseptic for hand disinfection.
- Degreaser.
- Primer. It is better to use acid, it provides a stronger adhesion to the nail.
- Take the gel single-phase, as it will be faster and easier to build nails at home.
- Cuticle oil.
Stages of nail extension
We offer step-by-step instructions on how to build up nails.
- First of all - disinfection! Use a special antiseptic. Having created the shape and length of the nail, you thereby seal it with gel. And so that microbes and various bacteria do not multiply under the hardened material, carefully process each finger.
- Next, prepare the nail plate. Pusher push the cuticle. If you have it hard, use a remover or other emollients. Saw a fingernail with a soft file or buff. Buff - this is the same soft file, only made in the form of a rectangular bar. Use a brush or a wide, fluffy brush to brush off dust. It is very important not to cut the nail, just remove the glossy shine. Finish the treatment of the nail surface by wiping it with a lint-free cloth moistened with a degreaser.
- We select tips precisely according to the size of each nail. This is the easiest way to build nails. No need to cut and substitute shapes, and then work on sculpting. Just apply a drop of glue to the concave part of the nail tip and fix it on the free edge of the nail.
- Remove excess length with tip cutter. The movement must be sure, and the cut is smooth, otherwise cracks will form. We give the desired shape and file the tips so that it is even in height.
- The polished surface is coated with a primer. We wait until it evaporates. Just a few seconds.
- We make a coating with a single-phase gel. Using a light rubbing motion, apply a thin layer with a brush. We cure in a UV lamp for 2-3 minutes. Then we spread the gel, leveling the surface, and again - the UV lamp.
- We grind the resulting nail and make it even, smooth, without tubercles and depressions.
In conclusion, you can cover the resulting manicure with regular varnish or choose a design of your choice.
Nail extension on forms
The process of nail extension on the form is similar to the previous one. First, a nail is prepared as described above. Only instead of tips to the free edge substitute a paper form. First you need to try on it, if necessary, trim it. The shape should fit butt-to-nail. After fixing it, you can spread the gel. Next is polymerization in a UV lamp. Then the adhesive layer is removed with a degreaser and sawdust of the length and shape of the nail is performed. A topcoat is then applied to consolidate the result.
Precautions
Before building nails at home, it is worth considering some contraindications. If a fungus or crack on the nails appears, building up is not an option. This can only aggravate the situation; under a thick layer of gel, the fungus will continue to multiply.
If the nail plate is too thin, you should also postpone the extension procedure. In this case, detachment of the material may appear, and when the gel is dried in the UV lamp, unpleasant pain is likely.
It is also worth waiting out the first days of menstruation. Any hormonal changes in the body are a contraindication. They also include pregnancy, breastfeeding, treatment with antibiotics or other potent drugs. Before you build your nails yourself, think about it, maybe you should postpone this procedure.
Nail Tips
Before learning how to build up nails, consider how to properly process a nail plate. No need to leave a long free edge. If the nails exfoliate, which happens from frequent contact with water, then they need to be washed down with a buff, creating an even smooth surface.
In no case do not continue the procedure if you feel a burning sensation or other pain, this may be caused by an allergy to the materials. Therefore, it is better to use quality certified products sold in professional cosmetics stores. Be sure to pay attention to the expiration date of the materials and preparations used.
After you have built your own nails, oil the cuticle. And repeat this action at least once a day. Oil will help to maintain a well-groomed look of hands longer, nourishes skin with useful substances. Especially in the cold season, try not to forget about this procedure, so that the cuticle does not keratinize, this entails the appearance of unpleasant burrs.
Artificial Nail Correction
After 3-4 weeks, when the nails grow back, it is necessary to make a correction. If the manicure remains intact during this time, without chips and cracks, the correction will take a little time. Otherwise, it is better to remove the artificial nail and carry out the extension procedure again.
Never try to tear or bite off a damaged gel or tips. This will cause injury to the nail plate. Use a stiff file to remove material.
For correction, you also need to file off the nail, removing the extra length and aligning the transition between the gel and the overgrown gap. Brush off the dust with a brush and apply a primer. Next, put the gel on a part of a natural overgrown nail, then carefully distribute the material along the entire length. Dry in a lamp and shape. If one layer is not enough or there are bumps, you can report the gel, leveling the surface.
As with building, pay attention to the stress zone. There should not be a passing cavity on it. A polished nail can be designed in a new way.
Forms of nails
Before you build your own nails, decide on the shape and design of the future manicure. Start with simple forms.
Oval. Suitable for owners of short nail plates. The oval will give your hands a more delicate calm look. For sawdust, use a rounded crescent-shaped file.
Almond. The most common form at the moment. Often it is made by lovers of long nails. Almonds look good in both dark and light colors. You need to file such a shape in one direction, moving from one corner to another.
Square. If you have long aristocratic fingers, you can safely make such a shape. Visually, it shortens the length. To create a square, use a straight file and hold your hand straight when filing. Do not round.
Soft square. It differs from the usual rounded corners. More comfortable to wear.
The choice of nail design
Considering the question of how to build your own nails, it does not hurt to learn how to perform a simple design. The most popular is a service jacket, which has already become a classic. White is for lovers of strict restrained manicure and bright color is for bold and extraordinary personalities. For drawing a jacket it is more convenient to use a thin brush.
If you like beautiful drawings, but lack artistic talent, use the sliders. They are easy to use and will decorate any boring plain manicure. Moreover, the sliders are inexpensive and suitable for use at home.
First, make the coating white. Cut the slider to the shape of the nail and lower it into the water for a few seconds. Apply and align the peeled image on the marigold. Secure with a transparent top. Remove all excess from the free edge of the nail with a file. Seal the ends with the same top.
When choosing a design, try not to overdo it. Remember, your pens should look neat and elegant. They say that too bright a manicure scares off the male half of humanity.
Dispel myths
Simultaneously with the question of whether it is possible to grow nails by herself, another one arises: "How harmful is this?" There is a misconception that supposedly nails do not breathe under a thick layer of material. Let's deal with this issue.
The nail plate is more than a hundred layers of keratin keratinized cells. When the nail moves from its bed to the free edge (that is, grows), the cells lose their liquid substances in their composition and die. In simple terms: nails are “dead cells”; they cannot breathe. It is on them that gel is applied when building. "Live" cells located in the germ zone, while not hitting.
Many are afraid of growing nails on their own, as they believe that they deteriorate from this. They deteriorate not from building, but from improper material removal. Caught or even removing the pieces of gel damages the surface of the nail, thinning it. Remove the material correctly and then keep your nails beautiful and healthy.
Artificial Nail Socks
The exact term of wearing nails will not be determined by any master. This is influenced by many factors. But following some rules, you will extend your manicure life.
As soon as you can learn to build your own nails, at first it will be unusual to wear them and perform some simple manipulations. The main thing is habit and accuracy. Remember: nails are not a screwdriver or a construction tool, you do not need to pry them all. When opening the door of a car or route transport, make sure that the nail does not get stuck, otherwise you will break it, and this is very painful. Do not expose it to fire, otherwise the material will turn black.
If you want the manicure to maintain a neat appearance, carry out the correction on time, after 2-3 weeks. Then your pens will always look great.