How to Do a Gel Manicure at Home

Prep your nails, apply base coat, two thin color coats, and top coat, curing each layer under a UV or LED lamp for the specified time.

1. Prep your nails. Push back cuticles and file nails to your desired shape. Buff the surface lightly to remove shine and wipe with rubbing alcohol or nail dehydrator. Clean nails grip gel better than oily ones.
2. Apply base coat. Paint a thin layer of gel base coat, avoiding the cuticle and skin. Cap the tips by running the brush along the nail edge. Cure under your lamp for the time specified on your base coat bottle.
3. Apply color in thin layers. Paint the first color coat in three strokes: center, left, right. Keep it thin and even, capping the tips. Cure completely, then repeat with a second coat for full opacity.
4. Seal with top coat. Apply gel top coat the same way, ensuring complete coverage and tip capping. Cure for the full time, then wipe nails with rubbing alcohol to remove the sticky residue layer.