List of tools and materials for nail gel

Those women and girls who do not like to spend time and money on nail salons, and prefer to do everything themselves, it will be more convenient to purchase the necessary tools and materials for any work with nails, including for their extension. Moreover, problems with this no longer exist - everything is on sale to choose from and prices do not “bite”, just like a few years ago.

For nail gel will need following main tools:

• devices and objects for removing the cuticle;
• sawing;
• brushes;
• buffs;
• pusher

Other accessories may be needed during the process:

• cutter - nippers used to adjust the tips (reduction in length);
• brush - a product that has a pile of synthetic materials (they sweep away dust from nails when they are filed);
• scraper is the same as pusher, where one of the ends is a type of ax.

Let us consider in more detail only those tools that are exactly useful in the process of work.

Removal of horny or regrown cuticle is one of the necessary conditions for creating a beautiful image of nails. Fortunately, nowadays there are a lot of different sets for home manicure, which usually include scissors, nippers, tweezers and a nail file. A useful tool in this case will be an orange stick, although it is usually not included in standard kits. The so-called orange stick (or you can use a pusher-shovel) is convenient to move the cuticle away from the skin of the finger to further eliminate it.

Files serve to adjust the nail surface and shape both natural nails and extended surfaces. The main distinctive quality of files is the level of roughness (rigidity): the lower the level, the harder the surface of the file and, accordingly, the more coarse it is sawing. Usually, a file with a roughness of 180x240 grit is used for its nails, and for artificial nails - 100x100 grit. But it also depends on the condition of the nails, that is, the indicator may change in one direction or another.

They serve as irreplaceable assistants both when applying the main coating with gel on nail plates, as well as when decorating, creating drawings, patterns on nails. It is better to choose a brush with a more rigid pile of artificial material (two pieces with straight edges and two - with narrow tails).

Baf is a file that has a square section and a lower level of roughness than regular files.The inside of the buff is foam rubber, and the outside is an emery coating. That buff is more convenient in work, in which each side differs from the other three in its rigidity.

Pusher is a double-sided metal stick designed to prepare nail plates for applying a base gel onto them - this side resembles a small knife - and for gently moving the cuticle away - in the form of a small scapula - with its subsequent removal. Its surface between the tips is made in relief for easy holding tool.

For homemade nails will be required:

• mold and glue;
• gel varnish (base coat and color gel);
• primer;
• topcoat (top).

To cover the nails with gel at home will help and additional funds, which we also consider in this article.

Forms for nails can be in the form of paper rolls (disposable, "lower"), plastic ("upper") and metal (reusable) templates. For each nail you need to choose your form.

The upper and lower forms are called the type of attachment to the nails: paper forms are fixed under the natural nail and gel is applied on top, and plastic forms must be filled with gel and then fixed on top of the nail surface.

The gel is a viscous substance, solidified under the influence of ultraviolet rays. With it, you can create or adjust the shape of the nail and the coating will look as natural as possible.

Gels for the extension procedure are divided into one, two, and three phase. For home use, a single phase gel is the best option due to its economy and ease of use. Such a gel acts immediately as a base coat, modeling and fixing means (top) at the same time.

Two-phase gels are distinguished by the absence in the composition of the base coat. The functions of correction and protection of nails such gels do not perform. When purchasing this option, you need to take care of the purchase of the so-called base.

Three-phase gels include each component (base, modeling gel and top) separately. The procedure for applying funds to the nail plate is as follows:

1. base coverage (base);
2. modeling gel (color gel varnish);
3. topcoat (top).

Consider the main components of the composition of gel polishes.

• Photoinitiator. Thanks to this component, the gel absorbs ultraviolet rays.
• Film former This component allows gel polish to harden when absorbing ultraviolet rays.
• Pigments. A kind of dyes that give color to gel polish, but do not interfere with the absorption of ultraviolet rays.
• Active thinners. Provide the adhesion of the gel with the nail plate and give it a viscosity.
• Fillers and additives. This refers to various glitter, additives for plasticity, and so on.

In the composition of the gel varnish may be the following substances.

• Castor oil. It is also known under a different name - riciniol. Varnishes with this component protect nails from harmful chemicals. Oil nourishes the nail plate with vitamins, thus reviving them and imparting natural softness.
• Proteins. The useful substances which existence can be defined in the practical way when removing a nail covering. If the gel varnish was protein, then the nails, even after removal of the coating will be smooth.
• Nitrocellulose. This component gives the gel polish stability, glossy shine, elasticity.
• Acetates (butyl and ethyl). They impart viscosity to the gel without accumulating in the human body (they do not have the ability to penetrate under the nail plate). Butyl and ethyl acetates do not have strong odors, like formaldehyde or, for example, toluene.
• Ceramides. Substances whose use promotes nail growth.

The composition of the gel varnishes can be harmful components. Also list them.

1. Toluene. The substance gives strength and elasticity to gel polish, but can penetrate the nail and cause burning sensations, itching.If toluene penetrates a person’s blood, it can affect his health. A strong smell is one of the signs of a substance. In large doses or with frequent use causes allergic reactions, damage to the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract.
2. Formaldehyde. The substance makes gel polish very flexible and strong. With frequent use destroys the natural strength of the nails, and therefore the nails begin to break, crumble, exfoliate and turn yellow. This component can cause cancer.
3. Dibutyl phthalate. The component is used to increase the resistance of the coating (holding on a week or more). In addition, like the previous components, it negatively affects the functioning of the body - it can lead to disruption of the organs and hormonal failure. It has a strong influence on the quality of nails in a negative direction.

Primer is needed to improve the effect of adhesion of the nail plate to the gel and prevent the formation of various bubbles and irregularities.

Primers are of two types:

1. ultrabond, which is an acid-free primer;
2. neyl-prep (bond) - primer with an acid content.

When using acid primer, the process of disclosure of the nail plates occurs, due to which the best bonding of the base with the nail plate occurs. The composition of the acid primer includes methacrylic acid.

Top is the topcoat used after applying the base and modeling layer. The top serves to strengthen the nail, giving it smoothness and shine.

Additional funds include:

• Degreaser (Klinsser). The degreaser is used to remove stickiness from the nail surfaces during operation at all stages: before the application of the base layer, after the base has hardened, the modeling layer, the topcoat. At home, it can be safely replaced with napkins with medical alcohol. Manufacturers also offer more benign, but more expensive products without acetone.
• Tips. Products made of durable plastic, allowing you to easily simulate the desired shape of the nails. Tips are easy to file, but to break them, you need to make a lot of effort. These funds have three parts: the contact edge (glued to the natural nail plate), accrued length (it is thicker than the contact edge), and the stop line, which is located between the two previous parts. For a more natural look, tips are not only of different shapes, but also of length: with a narrow plate, flat, with a wide plate, convex, spring-shaped.
• Lint-free napkins. They are rolls from which a part of the required length is cut. Nail plates are treated with napkins, both dry and moistened with a solution (for example, in a degreaser).
• Cuticle oil. With the help of oil, the treated cuticle becomes soft, which prevents drying and the appearance of cracks on it.

Without ultraviolet light, gel polish will not harden. In this case, requires a UV lamp, which is now on the shelves of a huge variety. The gel hardening time depends on the power of the lamp, the thickness of the layer of the applied gel and its consistency.

Lamps fall into two categories:

• Household. With power ratings up to 36 watts.
• Professional. From 36 watts and up.

For home use, you can buy a lamp with a power of 24 watts, but the best option would be 36. One should pay attention to the presence of a timer, which greatly simplifies the process of nail extension because there is no need to monitor the time spent on nails in the lamp.

The more functions the ultraviolet lamp performs, the more expensive it is.At the same time, you should not buy modern lamps for your home (you will not need a fan, a touchscreen monitor and, for example, a retractable bottom).

Among the many gel varnishes to build in our time You can highlight the products of some reputable manufacturers.

• IBD.
• Soak off from IBD.
• Balance Basic Clear Gel.
• Nubar.
• Madelon.
• CNI.
• Sagitta.
• Nogtika.
• Iris professional
• Formula Profi.
• Alex Beauty Concept.

The list includes manufacturers of gel polishes, the quality of which modern masters give their preference. Each line of gel polishes is different consistency, color palette and other qualities that the master chooses for their own requests.

When buying several gels you need to choose products from one manufacturer. Please note that the gel must be plastic in consistency (not too thick, but not too liquid) and not have pronounced odors.

The base coat must be transparent, odorless, and rather liquid than the thick consistency, since its layer must be thin.

The modeling gel for building is also better to choose transparent (there are also translucent "stained" gels for design). This gel polish should be different self-leveling on the nail plate.

Not so long ago, gel-chewing gum appeared on the shelves. The substance is similar to plasticine, different pink. During the work with it drying is possible without ultra-violet lamp.

You will learn more about the tools and materials for gel nail extension in the video below.