20 Creative Gel Nail Art Ideas | Unique & Artistic Designs

If you are a beginner in the field of nail polish then let us tell you that it is rather a flourishing branch of fashion that is coming up with new and modern techniques every day! If you have come acrnewfoundnew found interest in nail art and looking for ideas and formulas that will give you long-lasting results then UV gel nail polishes are what you are looking for! The techniques are pretty manageable even at home or if you are planning to set up your own nail art parlor! Check out the steps here.

General overview-

If you compare the strength of gel and any regular polish to them without a doubt you should go for the former. These are definitely less harmful than acrylic nails and you can give them a try! So collect all the essentials and get started with the process! Do you know what the major equipment is to perform gel nail art? Check it out below-

Things Needed-

UV or LED lamp- since you are designing UV gel nails, it is needless to say that you need UV or LED lamp for conducting the steps.
The utility of a UV lamp is the fact that on subjecting the wet nails to UV light treatment the chemical reaction between the polishes and the light dries or cures the nail faster.
If you do not have a UV lamp then you may even opt for LED lamps which are comparatively gentler for the skin.
Cuticle oil- the process of application and removal of gel nails can be a treatment that will render your skin dry! Cuticle oil is needed for nourishing the cells.
Wooden popsicle or cuticle pusher- this is needed when you are pushing back the cuticles to clear the surface of the nails. If you do not have a pusher then even a wooden popsicle stick is enough to complete this step.
A nail buffer and filer- to buff the nails, you should always have a nail buffer in the nail art tool kit and a filer to give proper shape to the nails.
Nail clippers- these are needed to trim the nails short if they have grown to become unruly!
Rubbing alcohol- a nail remover or acetone is needed to clean the nails as the preliminary stage of preparing the nails.
Top coat and the base coat- the top coat is needed at the end of the whole process to seal the nails and the base coat to form a layer between the nails and the polish to prevent damage and dryness.
Gel polish- choose any color that you wish to acquire.

Now that you have collected all the essentials, it is time for you to work with the gel polish and decorate your nails.

Steps to get flawless UV gel nails-

Trimming and cleaning the nails are the most basic steps for preparing your nails for the gel nail art treatment! Uniform nails look more attractive and cleanliness renders them to be so gorgeous.

The cuticle oil is applied to nourish the nails and smoothen the skin. You have to gently push back the cuticles to expose more nail surfaces. Be gentle while using the wooden popsicle and in case of the nails after the process then you can use a cotton swab and acetone to clean them. Too much oil will make it tough for the base coat to adhere to the nails.

Buff the nails and dust off the excess dirt remaining with the help of cotton again.

Now apply the base coat, a single layer, and then cure it under the UV lamp. This is going to take about thirty seconds to one minute.

Now apply the gel polish on the nails. Shake the bottle well before use so that the mixture is thoroughly blended well.

Apply at least two coats of gel polish so that the nails become completely opaque and no space is left.

Wait for thirty seconds before each coat so that the layer dries off first to avoid any mess.

Apply the top coat at the end to seal the layers and give a look of shimmer, shine, and smoothness.

Subject the nails to a UV lamp one last time for about thirty seconds.

Tips to remember - Every time you wash your hands during the day, apply a little bit of cuticle oil after that so that the nails are maintained intact and beautiful.

This will keep the glow of the nails intact and make them last as long as a month.

Hence you are not clear with the concept of application of the gel polishes to the nail! There are different modifications and combinations of ideas as well! To find out, read on! Shall we then?

Learn how to apply gel polish to acrylic nails

If you are wondering whether it is possible to combine gel and acrylic then the answer is yes! Here are the steps that you can follow to learn the process of doing so!

Remove the oil nail paint- Make use of acetone-based nail polish remover to clean the nails from the remains of nail polish from the last treatment. Although we prescribe you to use non-acetone nail remover which will be harmless to the acrylic.
Now dry the nails- you may use baby wipes or wet washes to clean the nails and then dry them! Lingering moisture on the surface may lead to infection later so dry off your nails completely.
Now apply the base coat- go for an acrylic-friendly base coat so that the acrylic nails are not damaged by any chemical. Then apply the gel polish on acrylic nails and seal off with the base coat!

How to do nail tips with gel overlay

You can apply nail polish to the tips bought from the store. You may use glue to apply the tips on the original nails and then use gel polish to paint them! This process is the same as customary gel polish application with a few notable differences.

Clean the nails first and then buff the surface of the nails. The cuticles are gently pushed behind and then the nails are dried off! Exfoliate the nails to maintain the softness of the skin.
Now use a fine brush to apply the glue on the surface and then paste the tip on the nails. Push the artificial nail back and forth to remove any bubbles that may slip in.
Now you need to adjust the shape and the size of the nails.
Then apply two layers of the base coat leaving time in between to allow one layer to dry first.
Apply the gel polish and then the top coat! Sealing with an LED lamp is needed between any two steps for ensuring no mess or smudges occur.

HOW TO APPLY NAIL DECALS OVER GEL POLISH

Once you are done with the process of mastering nail art, you can begin with wonderful nail art!

This is no rocket science as you can simply paint the nails with the desired shade and then cut a piece of the sticker. Dip it in water to remove the stick-on layer and then apply the sticker on the surface of the nails. The initial steps of cleaning and buffing and the final top coat remain the same.

But what is the reason behind gel polishes peeling off after a couple of days-

Here are some reasons basic causes why the nail polish seems to peel off after a couple of days in the case of gels-

The gel polishes extend from the surface of the cuticles. When the nails grow, the gel polish starts to push off in front. Water enters this region and causes the polish to peel off.
The top coat may also wear off leaving the gel exposed. As a result, the gel will also eventually come off!
Capping the nails is essential otherwise the tips will eventually wear off.

Here are some wonderful gel art designs that you can try out as a beginner.

1. Try the golden drip effect

The shimmering golden drip effect makes the nails look extraordinary. The rest of the nail surface is kept transparent to complement the overall look. Fabulous and attractive for the ones who are extremely fond of glitters and loads of shimmer. So what are you waiting for?

2. The bold brushstrokes

The bold brushstrokes are wonderful and you will have to go ahead with confident and graceful strokes. Imperfection is the beauty of the design which makes them even more admirable among the spectators! You shall need only two colors for the process. Check it out for sure!

3. The half moons

Fancy half moons are so popular in the market these days! These are fabulous and give a smooth finish to the nails. The two stripes in the shape of half-moons lining the cuticle are simply out of the world. So what are you waiting for?

4. Color blocks

The color blocks are certainly a classic that we cannot miss out on! Gorgeous and easy to create, the vibrant color blocks are what will suit every outfit and mood of the season! So pick up your brushes and the polish bottles to get started right away!

5. The French yellow tips and butterflies

If you wish to explore something sweet and match the spirits of springtime then here is a little modification to the classic French tips. These are painted yellow while the black butterfly sticker on one of the nails is simply outstanding.