How to Get the Perfect Gel Manicure in 5 Easy Steps (Plus Quick Summer Nail Art)

Issue No. 077

HELLO AND WELCOME TO BEYOND THE PAINT, A BLOG BY BIO SEAWEED GEL (BSG).
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Everyday is the perfect day for some self-care. One of the easiest ways for a quick pick me up is to get your nails done! If you don't have time to head to the salon or you are interested in saving some cash for that cute purse you've been eyeing, or let's be real, we need to save some money for our next grocery haul with the way this economy is heading 😭 - try DIY (do it yourself) gel manicure at-home! 

We've asked professional nail artist Brionna Moore @brionnalmoore who is a beloved long time loyal BSG customer and past brand ambassador (we would still have her on our team if the program still existed!) if she could share some of her best tips and tricks on how to achieve a perfect gel manicure. She has been featured on Nail Pro Magazine, Glamour Mag and Talk Pittsburgh TV! 

We'd love for you to get to know Brionna Mo(o)re, (get to know Brionna Moore more hehe) here is a snippet from her blog: www.brionnamoore.com

In addition to the gel manicure how-to, Brionna took it one step up and also included some quick, easy but oh-so-cool nail art you can try this summer! (or switch up the colours for any other season). Read on to see what great tips Brionna would like to share with our Beyond the Paint readers!

Blog By Brionna:

Get ready to nail your next gel manicure! Everyone wants cute nails no matter the season, so use these simple steps to help you create your perfect gel manicure. I love wearing my natural nails at a length that makes me feel comfortable and confident, and I believe every person is capable of having nice pretty nails.

Products Used:

Instructions:


My nails with no product, shaped and ready for application.

  1. Prepare Your Nails Before you start applying any gel polish, make sure your nails are well-prepped. Shape your nails to your desired length and shape. Use a nail file to smooth out any rough edges. Push back your cuticles gently with a cuticle pusher, and buff the surface of your nails lightly to remove any shine. Clean your nails thoroughly with an alcohol wipe to remove any oils or debris.

  2. Apply a Base Coat A good base coat is essential for a long-lasting gel manicure. Apply primer and a thin layer of Stronger Base-1 to each nail, making sure to cap the free edge to prevent chipping. Cure the base coat under an LED or UV lamp according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually for about 60 seconds. This step ensures that your gel color adheres well to your nails.


Nails with base coat applied.

  1. Apply the Gel Color Now it's time for the fun part: the color! Apply a thin layer of your chosen gel polish to each nail. I’m using gel colors Salt & Sand for my base which is so pretty. Remember to cap the free edge here as well to ensure longevity. Cure the first layer under your LED or UV lamp. Apply a second thin layer for full opacity and cure again. Be mindful not to apply too thick of a layer, as this can cause the polish to wrinkle or bubble.

 
2 coats of color applied.

  1. Apply Nail Design and a Top Coat After your color layers are fully cured, you can add your nail art to the base layer like I did here.

Applying Artiste gel to base color layer.

  • Once you apply your Artiste gel with your dotting tool, place elongated circles on nails in the order you would like it to look. The blooming gel will help the polish expand. Do not cure this layer until you’re ready for your design to stay exactly where it is to your liking.

Applying the color watermelon on top of the artiste gel.

Applying nail art to the next finger, I work 2-3 nails at a time.

Fingers finished and completed using artiste gel.

Or apply a thin layer of gel top coat to seal in the color and add shine. Again, make sure to cap the free edge to prevent premature chipping. Cure the top coat under your lamp for the recommended time. The top coat helps protect your manicure and gives it that salon-quality finish.

Nails completed with no nail art.

Nails completed with nail art and topcoat.

  1. Clean and Moisturize Finally, apply cuticle oil and hand cream to keep your nails and skin hydrated and healthy. Regular moisturizing will also help extend the life of your gel manicure.

By following these five simple steps, you can achieve a great gel manicure at home or the salon. Enjoy your beautiful, long-lasting nails! Check out the video of this look to see the step by step process+ a nail art tutorial bonus of neon nail art.

- Brionna M. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our Beyond the Paint Blog. We are currently running a giveaway with Brionna on her Instagram! Click below to enter. Until next time, take care everyone!

Join the Conversation

Leave us a comment in the section below. We love to hear your thoughts on this blog or what you'd like to see from us next time! What are your best tips to achieve a perfect gel manicure? Did you learn any new pointers by Brionna? What do you think about the snakeskin nail art? Would you try this look? Which colour would you mix and match the design with?

3 comments

Congratulations! Winner of Artiste is: Amanda F. Please check your email!

Bio Seaweed Gel June 27, 2024

I’m reassured on my practice with this product; I also cure the base coat for 60s, even with the BSG lamp, though it says 30s on the bottle. For something different in summertime, I’d consider a base of Something Blue with a yellow for the pattern, or yellow and aqua, or aqua and white for a crisp mix. I’m never without colour ideas; there are so many beautiful options; these are simple ones. How about the deep royal blue Something Blue topped with Honeybee and Aqua? Or look at AmandaB’s fabulous colour combo with Something Blue under its comments (hers not using Artiste, I don’t think). Snakeskin is not something I do as often as ‘blooming’ flowers! 3 to 5 dots in a triangle or pentagram configuration leads to some pretty quick flowers on top of an uncured coat of Artiste. Put on stems, if you like, after curing. I’m curious about the capping free edge and why this is not in product instructions in contrast to this blog post. My personal experience also is that capping is helpful. I am interested to know what primer Brionna prefers.

Monika June 15, 2024

I love the design, I’d try this out with purple

Amand Freitas June 13, 2024

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