Every girl knows: in order to look attractive, you must definitely follow the beauty of your hands. You want your nails to look well-groomed for as long as possible. The most common way to keep a manicure beautiful is to make extensions. However, not everyone can afford to visit an expensive salon every 3 weeks to receive this service. Therefore, many people think about how to grow their own nails. See the article for more details.
Nail Extension Methods
The method depends on the selected material. There are two types: gel and acrylic extensions. What is the best way to build nails?
Acrylic is a hard substance, it holds its shape very well and is easier to remove. But it has a rather strong smell. In addition, it freezes quickly - it will be difficult for a beginner to have time to distribute the material until it has frozen.
Gel is more suitable for the first experience. Among hisbenefits can be identified as follows:
- Working with it is much easier, as it is evenly distributed over the nail.
- Easier to file and shape properly.
- No bad smell.
- Does not cause allergies.
- Grips tightly to the nail plate.
The better to build up nails, you decide. But if you are still a beginner, it is better to try the gel.
Necessary materials for nail extensions
Before you go to the professional cosmetics store, let's make a list of the necessary tools and materials.
- UV/LED lamp. Without it, the gel simply will not harden. To get started, you can purchase the cheapest 9W UV lamp.
- Files. For a natural nail, a nail file with an abrasive of 180-230 grit is suitable, and for an artificial sawdust 80-100.
- Pusher to push back cuticles. A more economical option is orange sticks.
- Tips, since for beginners it is easier to build nails on them than on forms. Special glue and tips cutter (may be included or sold separately).
- Gel brush. Choose a flat faux bristle.
- Lint-free wipes.
- Antiseptic for hand disinfection.
- Degreaser.
- Primer. It is better to use acid, it provides a stronger grip on the nail.
- Take a single-phase gel, as it will be faster and easier for them to grow nails at home.
- Cuticle oil.
Building stagesnails
We offer step-by-step instructions on how to grow nails.
- First of all - disinfection! Use a special antiseptic. Having created the shape and length of the nail, you thereby seal it with gel. And so that microbes and various bacteria do not multiply under the frozen material, carefully treat each finger.
- Next, prepare the nail plate. Pusher pushes back the cuticle. If your skin is hard, use a remover or other emollients. We file the nail with a soft file or buff. A buff is the same soft nail file, only made in the form of a rectangular bar. Use a brush or a wide fluffy brush to brush off the dust. It is very important not to cut the nail, it is enough just to remove the glossy sheen. Finish the treatment of the nail surface by wiping it with a lint-free cloth moistened with a degreaser.
- We select tips exactly according to the size of each nail. This is the easiest way to grow nails. No need to cut and substitute shapes and then work on sculpting. Just put a drop of glue on the concave part of the tip and fix it on the free edge of the nail.
- Remove the extra length with a tips cutter. The movement must be sure, and the cut is even, otherwise cracks form. We give the desired shape and file the tips so that it is equal in height.
- We cover the polished surface with a primer. We are waiting for it to evaporate. A few seconds are enough.
- Make the coverage single-phasegel. With light rubbing movements, apply a thin layer with a brush. Cure in a UV lamp for 2-3 minutes. Then we lay out the gel, leveling the surface, and again - a UV lamp.
- We grind the resulting nail and make it even, smooth, without tubercles and depressions.
In conclusion, you can cover the resulting manicure with regular varnish or choose a design of your choice.
Nail extensions on forms
The process of building nails on forms is similar to the previous one. First, the nail is prepared, as described above. Only instead of tips, a paper form is substituted to the free edge. First you need to try it on, if necessary, trim. The shape should fit butt to butt to the nail. After fixing it, you can lay out the gel. Next - polymerization in a UV lamp. Then the sticky layer is removed with a degreaser and sawdust of the length and shape of the nail is performed. Then a top coat is applied to secure the result.
Precautions
Before you grow nails at home, it is worth considering some contraindications. If a fungus or cracks appear on the nails, building up is not an option. This can only aggravate the situation, under a thick layer of gel, the fungus will continue to multiply.
If the nail plate is too thin, it is also worth delaying the extension procedure. In this case, detachments of the material may appear, and when drying the gel in a UV lamp, unpleasant pain is likely.
It is also worth waiting out the first days of menstruation. Any hormonalchanges in the body are a contraindication. They also include pregnancy, breastfeeding, treatment with antibiotics or other potent drugs. Before you grow your own nails, think about it, maybe you should wait a little with this procedure.
Nail Tips
Before you learn how to build nails, consider how to properly handle the nail plate. There is no need to leave a long free edge. If the nails exfoliate, which happens from frequent contact with water, then they must be washed down with a buff, creating an even, smooth surface.
Never continue the procedure if you feel a burning sensation or other pain, this may be caused by an allergy to the materials. Therefore, it is better to use high-quality certified products sold in professional cosmetics stores. Be sure to pay attention to the expiration date of the materials and preparations used.
After you have grown your own nails, oil your cuticles. And repeat this action at least once a day. The oil will help to keep the well-groomed appearance of the hands longer, nourish the skin with useful substances. Especially in the cold season, try not to forget about this procedure so that the cuticle does not become keratinized, this entails the appearance of unpleasant burrs.
Correction of artificial nails
After 3-4 weeks, when the nails grow back, it is necessary to make a correction. If the manicure has remained intact during this time, without chips and cracks, the correction will take a little time. Otherwise, it is better to remove the artificial nail andcarry out the extension procedure again.
Never try to tear or bite off a damaged gel or tip. This will lead to injury to the nail plate. Use a hard file to remove material.
For correction, you also need to file the nail, removing the excess length and leveling the transition between the gel and the regrown gap. Brush off dust and apply primer. Next, you need to lay out the gel on a part of the natural regrown nail, then carefully distribute the material along the entire length. Dry in a lamp and shape. If one layer is not enough or unevenness remains, you can apply the gel, leveling the surface.
Just like with extensions, pay attention to the stress zone. It should not have a transitional cavity. A polished nail can be redesigned.
Nail Shapes
Before you build up your own nails, decide on the shape and design of the future manicure. Start with simple shapes.
Oval. Suitable for owners of short nail plates. The oval will give the hands a more gentle calm look. For sawdust, use a rounded crescent-shaped file.
Almonds. The most common form at the moment. Often it is done by lovers of long nails. Almond looks good in both dark and light colors. You need to file such a shape in one direction, moving from one corner to another.
Square. If you have long aristocratic fingers, you can safely make this shape. Visually, it shortens the length. To create a square usestraight saw and keep your hand straight when filing. Do not round.
Soft square. Differs from the usual rounded corners. More comfortable to wear.
Nail Design Selection
When considering how to grow your own nails, it doesn't hurt to learn how to do a simple design. The most popular is French, which has already become a classic. White - for lovers of strict restrained manicure and bright colors - for bold and extraordinary personalities. It is more convenient to use a thin brush for drawing a jacket.
If you like beautiful drawings but lack artistic talent, use sliders. They are easy to apply and will brighten up any dull monochromatic manicure. What's more, the sliders are inexpensive and suitable for home use.
First make the cover white. Cut the slider to the shape of the nail and lower it into the water for a few seconds. Apply the exfoliated image and smooth it on the nail. Secure with a transparent top. Remove all excess from the free edge of the nail with a file. Seal the ends with the same top.
When choosing a design, try not to overdo it. Remember, your pens should look neat and elegant. They say that too bright manicure scares away the male half of humanity.
Dispelling the myths
Simultaneously with the question of whether it is possible to grow your own nails, another one arises: "How harmful is it?". There is an erroneous opinion that supposedly the nails do not breathe under a thick layer of material. Let's deal with this issue.
The nail plate is more than a hundred layers of keratinized keratin cells. When the nail moves from its bed to the free edge (that is, grows), the cells lose liquid substances in their composition and die. In simple terms: nails are “dead cells”, they cannot breathe. It is on them that the gel is applied during extension. The “living” cells located in the growth zone are not affected in any way.
Many people are afraid to grow their own nails, because they believe that they deteriorate from this. They deteriorate not from building up, but from improper removal of material. Too much or even removing pieces of the gel damages the surface of the nail, thinning it. Remove the material correctly and then keep your nails beautiful and he althy.
The term of wear of artificial nails
No master will determine the exact term for wearing nails. Many factors influence this. But by following some rules, you will extend the life of your manicure.
Once you can learn how to grow your own nails, at first it will be unusual to wear them and perform some simple manipulations. The main thing is habit and accuracy. Remember: nails are not a screwdriver or a construction tool, you don’t need to pry everything with them. When opening the door of a car or a fixed-route transport, make sure that the nail is not stuck, otherwise you will break it, and this is very painful. Do not expose it to fire, otherwise the material will turn black.
If you want the manicure to keep a neat look, carry out the correction on time, after 2-3 weeks. Then your pens will always look great.
