Hey guys, welcome back! Today, we are going to be doing my nails. I posted on my Instagram stories and told you guys that I figured out a hack on how to make your gel polish last longer even when you’re painting it at home. So, this is 4 weeks after I did a gel manicure at home and there is lots of growth and they need to come off now.
But as you can see, they are still intact. So, I’m going to show you guys what I discovered the last time I did this because I tried something and I wasn’t sure if it was going to work, but it obviously did. That is what I’m going to be teaching you guys today.
Step 1: Remove Your Old Gel
Buff the shine: The first thing you’re going to want to do when you are starting to remove your shellac is you actually want to buff off the shiny surface that’s on top.
So, I’m just going to take one of my filing sponges and just go over every nail quickly just to remove that top layer. It should look something like that. The whole shiny top layer is now gone. This just makes it easier for the acetone to penetrate the gel color underneath.
Soak with acetone: Get a handful of cotton balls and rip them in half—only half a cotton ball per finger. Saturate them with 100% acetone and place them on each nail. You can wrap fingers in tin foil, or use small clips (like I got from AliExpress for a dollar).
Wait and peel: After about 5–7 minutes, check one nail. The gel should be crumbly and ready to lift. Use a flat tool to scrape it off. Don’t worry if the edges are stubborn—just go back with more acetone if needed. Smooth out your nails quickly for a clean base.
💡 Tip: Rough buffing is totally fine—it gives you a perfect canvas for your new mani.
Step 2: Shape and Trim
Wash your hands, trim and shape your nails as you like. Clean everything around the cuticles to prep for painting.
Step 3: Cuticle Care
Optional but recommended: Apply cuticle oil and push back your cuticles.
- You don’t have to cut your cuticles if you don’t want to.
- Use the same flat tool to push back skin and remove any lifted bits.
💡 Tip: A clean cuticle area gives your polish that “salon-perfect” look.
Step 4: Prep Your Nails
Remove oils with a cotton ball soaked in acetone. Then, apply a gel primer—it’s a clear liquid that preps your nails for the gel base coat. Let it dry completely.
Step 5: Base Coat
Use Sally Hansen Salon Base Coat and coat your nails evenly.
- Avoid touching cuticles.
- Gel doesn’t dry until cured in a lamp, so you can adjust as needed.
- Keep it sticky—this helps all layers stick together perfectly.
Step 6: Color Application
Here’s where the magic happens!
First coat: Paint your nails sheerly, avoiding cuticles. Cure under your lamp.
Second coat (the trick to longevity):
- Wipe excess from the brush.
- Paint again, then dab extra polish along the edges and free tips. This reinforces your nails and prevents chips.
- Drag the brush along the free edge so it’s fully covered.
Optional: Add stickers or nail art before top coat for a fun touch.
💡 Pro tip: Keep the first coat light—don’t try to pile on color. The second coat is where you reinforce edges.
Step 7: Top Coat
- Swipe your top coat from top to bottom.
- Seal the free edge—this step is crucial for long-lasting nails.
- Cure under the lamp.
- Wipe off the sticky layer with alcohol, hand sanitizer, or perfume (avoid acetone).
Step 8: The Final Look
And that’s it! Your nails are done. The stickers stayed on perfectly, everything is shiny, and your gel nails will last weeks.
I hope you guys learned something from this video. Try it on your own nails, and tag me on Instagram—I’d love to see your gel mani results!
💅 Quick Tips for Extra Longevity:
- Avoid oils or lotions for a few hours after painting.
- Always cap the edges during every coat.
- Experiment with fun stickers, glitter, or small nail designs—the sticky layers lock them in.
✨ Now you can rock a salon-quality gel manicure at home without spending a fortune. Your nails will stay flawless, shiny, and envy-inducing for weeks!
