Gel Nails - DIY

I recently bought the SensatioNail starter kit in Raspberry Wine from the SentaioNail website. I really love gel nails however they can become very expensive and time consuming to go to the salon if you don't have enough time. Therefore i decided to buy my own kit after hearing about it from All That Glitters 21's youtube channel.

In the UK if you buy it from the SensatioNail website you can choose any colour to come with your starter kit however i really liked the look of Raspberry Wine so i went with it. It takes about 30 minutes (because it was my first time) to completely do the nails. I suspect i will get alot faster with time as it's pretty straight forward. All you have to do is follow the instruction booklet they have given you but if in doubt here's a quick run through:

Step 1: file your nails to their desired length and shape. Then file the actual nail to rough it up a bit to provide a nice surface for the primer to attach itself to. (be careful not to be too rough as this is the step that can damage your nails)

Step 2: Use the lint free wipes they provide along with the gel cleanser to wipe the nails that you have just filed.

Step 3: Apply one layer of the gel primer and allow to air dry.

Step 4: Apply a thin layer of the gel base and top coat to each nail avoiding the cuticles and skin, cap the nails. If you get it on you just use the wooden stick they provide to remove it. Now cure the nails for 30 seconds. The led lamp will beep at 30 seconds so just remove the hand.

Step 5: Apply a thin layer of gel nail colour to your nails and then cure for the full 60 seconds. Again use the wooden stick to remove any spillages. Again ensure you cap the nails to help prevent premature chipping.

Step 6: Repeat the 5th step again, however be a little more generous than a thin layer if you would like darker thicker nails. I prefer them slightly thicker and darker so i did this and curing for 60 seconds still drys them.

Step 7: Apply a layer of base and top coat on and then cure for the last 30 seconds. Ensure you cap the nails.

Step 8: Get another lint free wipe with gel cleaner on it and rub over the new painted nails. The nails will be rock had now and once cleansed the nails will be extremely shiny.

*Top Tips*

• Capping the nails will ensure the manicure will last longer.
• Use lint free wipes to stop fluff and tp from sicking to your nails, as once they are cured and you see lint you have to acetone them off.
• Wash your hands once you remove ordinary nail varnish and have filed the nails to the desired shape as this helps the products stick to the nails better and prevent sliding of the gel.
• if you apply 2 think coats and its still too light a colour for you apply a third thin layer and cure for a further 60 seconds, i did it and it works just fine, follow the steps as normal from there
• If you want to use ordinary nail varnish instead of gel be sure to allow the nail varnish to dry before applying the base and top coat to make them hard and like gel nails.
• Do not try to cure ordinary nail varnish, it will just make it hot and bubble up and you will get in to a mess.
•  Do your thumbs separately than from your fingers as they will not all fit into the machine
• Only go around the outer parts of the nail with the primer leaving the centre of each nail free from the product as this makes removal of the gel nails easier.

Over all i love this kit and would really recommend it. I know £60 is a little pricey but just think about it, it is anywhere between £25-£40 for gel nails to be done professionally so you would make you money back in no time! The starter kit gel nail varnish lasts 10 applications i believe so you would at least make your money back and then some.

They sell essential packs and everything else like nail tools separately so you only need to buy the starter kit for the LED light. If you already own an LED light from acrylic nails then all you have to do is buy the gel nail varnishes. These are £10 and come in a wide variety of colours. Don't forget you can use other brands with the nailine led lamp so don't feel restricted to the SensatioNail brand.

The below picture is how my nails turned out after my first attempt:

Without Flash

 

With Flash

 

The second picture is more of a true to life/colour picture. It is a very raspberry and sparkly colour. The sparkles are only visible when the light hits it therefore it is not a very in your face chunky sparkle. This is one of the reasons i like this particular colour.

 

To remove these gel nails i will do a separate how to guide but the basics is just to soak them in acetone or nail varnish remover that has acetone.

 

If you have ever used this or a similar one then please leave a comment with your reviews. I am really keen to pick up any more tips and tricks at applying this.

 

At the time i bought this i also purchased 2 other colours:

 

I'm sorry i cannot rotate this! Blogger has done it automatically and it wont let me rotate it the right way! :S

 

Purple Orchid and Blue Yonder. I have yet to try them but they look really pretty. I think Blue Yonder will be my favourite. It looks similar in make up to Raspberry Wine ie sparkly in the light.

 

Thank you for reading :)