Guide to Builder Gel Application
Gelpolish Factory Builder Gel is an excellent product to strengthen your nails to allow them to grow strong and long. There are two ways to use builder gel:
1. As an extra strong base coat
2. As a strengthening gel overlay for natural nails.
Here, you will find a guide for both methods.
Before you apply gel polish products, make sure to follow these guidelines:
- Gel polish products must not come in contact with the skin. Apply only to the nail plate.
- Gelpolish Factory products should be cured in a 48W nail lamp.
- Make sure all gel products are fully cured under the nail lamp. Always follow the curing times written on each product. If you are in doubt, cure longer.
1. Prep Your Nails Before Applying Builder Gel
Give your hands and nails a quick clean with soap and water, dry off well, and you’re on your way!
File your nails into your desired shape.
Gently push back and clean up cuticles with a cuticle tool. Scrape away any loose or dead skin on the nail, making sure you use a gentle hand so you don’t cut yourself or damage your nail plate and cuticle.
Gently buff your nail’s surface with a fine-grit buffer to remove shine and give your gel polish a better texture to hold onto.
Clean off your nails with a lint-free wipe soaked in nail prep cleanser.
Apply a thin layer of Gelpolish Factory Nail Prep & Prime for better adhesion and a longer-lasting result. Let the product air dry completely. It should not be cured under a nail lamp.
After prepping your nails you can choose to use builder gel as either a strong base coat or built up as a strengthening gel overlay that helps your nails grow strong and long.
2. Builder Gel as Base Coat
Apply a thin layer of builder gel to your prepped nails, avoiding contact with the skin and cuticles.
Remember to seal the free edge at the tip of the nail.
Cure under a 48W nail lamp for 120 seconds.
Apply gel polish color if desired. (You can also add a second layer of builder gel as a pretty nude and transparent shade).
Apply the color in a thin layer, keep it away from the cuticle and side and seal the free edge. Cure under the lamp for 120 sec and repeat until satisfied.
Apply top coat and seal free edge.
Cure under the lamp for 120 sec.
Let your manicure cool down for a minute or two before applying oils or creams.
Pamper and rehydrate your nails and cuticles with a cuticle oil.
3. Builder Gel as a Strengthening Gel Overlay for Natural Nails
Apply a very thin layer of builder gel to your prepped nails, avoiding contact with the skin and cuticles.
Remember to seal the free edge at the tip of the nail.
Cure under a 48W nail lamp for 120 seconds.
Because we are working with thicker layers now, we do one finger at a time so the product doesn’t slip and slide.
Apply a small bead of product near the cuticle.
Build up the bead of product onto the nail by dragging it down along the nail in a gentle window-wiping motion – from side to side until you reach the tip of the nail.
Remember to seal the free edge at the tip.
Flip your finger upside down to let the product create an apex in the center of the nail.
Cure 120 seconds under a 48W nail lamp and make sure the thick layer of product is completely hardened.
Cure 2 x 120 sec if you are in doubt if it is fully cured.
Apply top coat and seal free edge.
Cure under the lamp for 120 sec.
Let your manicure cool down for a minute or two before applying oils or creams.
Pamper and rehydrate your nails and cuticles with a cuticle oil.