Do-it-Yourself Beauty
With the economy still slow to recover, skip the expense of nail salon visits with these three beauty treatments you can do at home.
Gel Nails
Gel nails look great because they closely resemble the natural nail. Gel nails are similar to acrylic nails, as they are both made from a combination of a monomer liquid and polymer powder. However, gel nails, unlike traditional acrylic nails, contain additional short chain monomers, known as oligomers that make the nails more flexible. Nailene has several options to create the gel look at home:
For a complete kit, try Nailene’s Ultra Quick Gel Kit (71289). You can create salon perfect looks for a fraction of the price.
Or, you can do the full-on gel application just like they do in the salon, using:
UV Gel Curing Lamp 71344
UV Gel Kit 71356
UV Gel Brush 71357
And one of these base colors:
Shimmer Pink (71351), Nude Beige (71352), or French Pink (71354)
Watch the video above for step by step instructions.
Acrylics
Acrylic nails are the most commonly used artificial nails since they are durable and strong. Additionally, acrylic nails can be designed with various art work and creativity, which can really give you a unique and glamorous look. To do the acrylic process at home, try Nailene’s Deluxe Salon Acrylic Kit (77197). This is the complete professional kit for multiple acrylic nails and fills. You can now do this salon process easily and conveniently from your own home at a price you can afford. This kit contains all the necessary components, all housed in a handy case.
French Manicure
Who doesn’t love a French Manicure? French manicures are manicures designed to resemble natural nails, and are characterized by their natural pink base nails with white tips. Hollywood starlets often sport a French manicure for an elegant look, as it is a tried and true beauty “do”.
Nailene’s French Manicures and our different manicure shades will complement most skin tones, and each chip-resistant lacquer is specially formulated for long wear as it helps harden natural nails. Try our Sassy Pink (66335) for a shade that won’t steer you wrong.
Trying to find a stockist near Lytham St.Annes Lancashire. Used to get it at BOOTs, but they do not stock now
Are you looking for a specific Nailene product?
I have always had long natural nails,
but recently my nails have all broke.
I have never had acrylic nails nails before ,but decided to try nailene utra quick gel nail kit.
They look great .Not sure if I will be going back to natural nails.
Hello,
I’m looking for the pink shimmer gel,and topcoat . I’m unable to find these products at the retailers listed on your website. Can these items be purchased directly from your site?
Hello, thank you for visiting Nailene.com! I believe you are looking for UV Gel Shimmer Pink (71351) and UV Gel Top Polish (71355). Unfortunately, these items are not available online or direct through our website at the moment. Please share with us your city location and we can help you pinpoint a retailer with those exact products.
I was just wondering can you buy the ultra quick gel activator seperate?
Hello! Thank you for visiting our blog! You can buy the activator separately. It should be at your local Wal-Mart and try calling to see if they have in stock. However, if you can’t find it there you can go to drugstore.com, amazon.com, or ebay.com.
I am having trouble with the gel nails staying on it seems like they don’t cure and are soft and peel right off. I have downloaded the instructions any idea what is wrong.
I use the Nailene French Manicure full nails. Lately I have had to purchase two or three packages to get enough nails for 10 fingers. The number of each size in the box seems to have changed. There are way too many of the very largest ones – which I have to throw out and way too many of the smaller ones. Ther are not enough of the mid-sized nails. I notice that the nails have a size number…is there a way to purchase a bunch of just certain sizes?
Unfortunately we don’t sell specific sizes in bulk. Have you tried Nailene’s undecorated full cover nails-200 count petite square item#: 71230? There is more of a selection for mid-size and smaller nails. If you are looking for a French manicure look you can also try Nailene So Natural in Petite item#: 71003, or Nailene Nail Studio French item#: 71249. I hope this helps! Thanks for being such a loyal user of the Nailene products.
I have just bought the brush-on gel kit but have not used it yet. Can I apply only the gel and the activator directly to my nail without using the nail tips if I just want to harden my natural nails?
Yes, the gel can be applied to the nails without using the tips. The tips are for nail extension. If you don’t wish to have longer nails, skip the step for tip application.
I once used your Acrylic sculpture kit & brought it again but it doesn’t seem 2 have instructions in it, Is there any way I can get them so I am able to use it
Step 1: Select nail tip to fit your bare nail
Step 2: Apply a small amount of glue to nail tip and press firmly on natural nail
Step 3: Trim nail tips to desired length and shape
Step 4: Pour acrylic liquid into small bowl, filling half way
Step 5: Dip sculpting brush across powder surface until a small ball forms
Step 6: Place acrylic ball in center of nail. Blend into a smooth surface by patting side to side over the width of the nail and brushing forward. Repeat.
Step 7: File and smooth nail when acrylic products are completely dry. Finish with the polish of your choice.
Removal: Soak nails in acetone polish remover
To Change Polish: Use non-acetone polish remover
Hope that helps XoXo
I have spent quite a lot of money purchasing everything I need for Gel Nails. I am follwoing the instructions, but still after a couple of days, they begin to peel off. Please let me know what I can do to prolong the effect. I am very frustrated and until I get good results, will have nothing good to say to anyone I can speak to on the subject. Thank you.
I am having the same issue as the one above that doesn’t have an answer
“DONNA DERKSEN SAYS:
I am having trouble with the gel nails staying on it seems like they don’t cure and are soft and peel right off. I have downloaded the instructions any idea what is wrong.”
Can you tel l mew what the problem is?
@Sharon y and @Donna Derksen:
There are a few main reasons for this:
1. Improper nail preparation.
It is critical that your nails are properly prepped prior to application. Although you may have followed instructions here are a few tips: Do not cleanse the nails with acetone or alcohol. They are both oil based products and you really want to dehydrate the nail plate. Use Nailene’s Nail Cleanser instead.
Be sure to wash your hands and nails well after you remove your polish. Once you have filed and pushed your cuticles back, be sure to buff the surface of your nails well, without over buffing, which can damage your nails. Do not miss a spot. This procedure is critical, as it helps with the gel adhering to the nail plate. Remove the dust and clean your nail plates with a cotton pad and the Nailene Nail Cleanser. Then proceed with your application.
2. Not cured properly.
If the gel has not cured properly it can feel rubbery and will peel right off. Check the bulbs in your UV lamp and the time you are curing each application.
3. Application
The more you use the Nailene UV Gels the better your application will be and the nails will stay on longer. In the meantime here are some suggestions:
• Apply your first coat of UV Gels real thin. Wipe almost all the gel off your gel brush and apply to the nail in a circular motion as to gently scrub it into the nail. Make sure you do not touch the skin or cuticle, just get close. Also make sure you have total coverage on the nail and there is no bare spots. Place in the UV Lamp for 2 minutes. This will insure you have a complete cure on the base of the nail.
• It is better to apply several thin layers than one or two thick ones. Be sure to apply very neatly as well, staying away from the cuticle area and sides of the nails. Keep in mind the gel tends to settle once applied and can run into the cuticle area and sides of the nails. Even if you use the cuticle stick to remove and gel that ran, its best not to let that happen. This can cause the gel nails to lift.
• Apply the gel in the center of the nail and allow it to settle then move it where you need it then cure. Use the corners of the gel brush to move it close to the sides and cuticle. Because the gel does not dry like polish, you can continue to play with the gel until it is exactly where you want it then cure. It will not dry on you like polish does.
• Apply one nail at a time and cure the nail in the UV Lamp for 20 seconds and “set” the gel so it is not completely cured but won’t move unless you touch it. Then continue with the other nails, one at a time. Once you have done this put the whole hand in the UV Lamp for 1-2 minutes for a “full” cure. This will give you more control and the gel will not run.
Please let us know if you have any more issues! XoXo Nailene
I prepared my nails for base/top coat gel application by sanding and buffing my natural nails. I did not use alcohol or cleanser to my buffed dustfree bare nail. I “scrubbed in a thin layer of gel” and it was cured for the 2 minutes. Less than 3 hours later the peeling began on 4 of the 10 nails. The lamp bulbs are new. There are no air bubbles and the surrounding skin doesn’t have gel touching it. I have to wait 48 hours before I can UV lamp my hand again to maintain safe exposure to UV rays, as instructed in the safety guidelines to prevent skin cancer. What else can be done to prevent peeling for my reapplication. For reapplication, would cleanser only or resanding also need to be done for preparation before gel reapplication?.
Hi C Van!
I have a feeling that something is amiss in the curing process. If your nails cured properly, they shouldn’t be peeling in less than 3 hours. Here are a few suggestions:
1) Apply less UV gel. The thinner the application, the better it will cure. Perhaps you are putting too much on and it isn’t curing/setting?
- Or -
2) Keep your nails under the UV lamp for longer to ensure that your gel is cured properly. Obviously, the more layers of gel, the longer it will take to set.
Before reapplying, apply both the cleanser and sand your nails so that you have a clean “starting off” base. Hope that helps!
i was just wondering if i us the UV GEL to do my nail but dont have a UV lamp will the Acticator from the Bruch on Kit still work to dry n make them hard?
this is the only product you have that i havet tried n was just wondering if the uv gel would still work with the activator.
sincerly, celeste
Hi Celeste! The UV gel is specifically designed to work with a UV light. The chemical make up of the UV gel will not harden without the light. The UV light enables you to achieve a durable, glossy finish in a very short time. The brush on activator is only successful when used with the brush on gel kit.
I got the lamp with the gels to start me off but I was wondering if the lamp also works with other brands of regular nail polish to dry and harden them as well.
Thanks!
The UV lamp is designed to work specifically with UV products. Regular polish will not be effected by the UV. UV products contain ingredients that react to the UV light.
Can you please tell me where to buy replacement bulbs?
Hi H Jones! The bulbs should be at Wal-Mart in the near future. UV bulbs are also available online, just make sure they are the same size.
I recently bought the gel kit…I would really like to comtinue using my regular polishes too. Is it okay to apply/cure the topcoat over the regular np to extend the life of it? Will it still cure properly?
Polishes can be applied to all of the finished gel products. The polish should be applied last. The UV lamp will not have any effect on the polish as far as curing it. The gel will help extend the life of the polish as it does not contain any oils like your natural nails do.
I happened to point this out to hubby and received everything for Valentines. I was very happy with the application as I dove right into it last night.
I do have some questions:
When I use nail polish for a change what do you recommend I remove the nail polish with, acetone or non acetone?
Will I need to buff after I remove the color or redo a gel top?
As my nails grow can I push back the cuticles and fill in?
How long can I keep the original gel coating on for, a few weeks or even months or should I remove it and start fresh?
Lastly, the directions on the brush applicator suggest using alcohol to clean it, can acetone be used or the cleaner instead?
I’m going to have lots of fun with this! Thanks.
Hi Jane! The polish should be removed with acetone polish remover. To safely remove the gel polish, buff the shine off the surface. For faster removal, place acetone in a small glass bowl and set it inside a larger glass bowl that is filled with hot water. Place fingers in acetone. After a few minutes remove fingers and scrape off dissolved gel. Be careful not to damage the natural nail. Repeat soaking and scrapping until gel is completely removed. You may need to add more hot water as it cools. The gel polish should last up to two weeks depending on how fast your nails grow. When you see new growth at the cuticle area, remove and reapply with fresh polish. It is not recommended to fill the gel polish. And for your last question, acetone or the cleaner can be used to clean the brush. We’re so glad you love it! Enjoy! XoXo Nailene
I ran out of the lint free wipes where can I buy more or what do you recommend?
Also can I use the nail guides (bought for regular nail polish)to make the french manicure tips and apply the gel? Do I cure it with the guide on or remove before curing?
Thanks!
Unfortunately, we don’t sell the individual lint-free wipes separately. However, you can purchase them as part of the essentials kits, or just use a high quality paper towel. Don’t use cotton since it leaves a ton of fuzz. In terms of the tip guides, you can use regular nail tip guides but I would suggest removing them before curing. That way, if any gel seeped through when you applied, you can clean it up before curing. You may want to experiment and see what works best for you! XoXo Nailene
Hi
I was wondering if – with the nailene acrylic kit – can I, rather than rolling a
little ball with the powder & liquid – do as they do in the saloons: put the
liquid on and then just dip my nails in the powder ? Or is that another
type of product that you have to buy ? I am having a bit of a problem in doing my right hand with the method they tell us to use !
Thanks L.
Hi Lisa! The acrylic powder and liquid need to applied as directed by forming a ball with both components. Applying the liquid and then dipping in the powder will leave a very gritty finish and will probably not adhere.
I was recently bought your Ultra Quick Gel Kit and was just wondering if you need UV as the instructions don’t actually mention it? I’m not sure whether I’m doing it wrong or you aren’t being completely clear with what you have to do?
The Ultra Quick Gel Kit does not require a UV light to cure. This kit is air dried. Try applying a couple of thin coats and let it dry thoroughly between applications. Applying the gel too thick will result in it not drying properly. XoXo Nailene
Hi I have nought your complete acrylics sculpture kit with 40 nailo tips. Infortunately befor I have even used it my husband has managed to throw the instructions away – can you email them to me please – deperate!!
Ann
Hi Ann! Please visit the Acrylic page here: http://www.nailene.com/products/acrylics and click on the Sculpture Kit, then click on the ‘Instructions’ tab. If you need more guidance, we’ll be glad to help! Just send us a message
XoXo Nailene
In response to those having trouble with the uv gel nails peeling. I too had this problem with them the first few times applying them. I’ve finally got them to stay on! Make sure you scrub you nails with an antibacterial soap before starting. Then scuff the nail up…making sure you get as close to the cuticle as possible. Then use the cleanser and wipe the nail clean! Allow to dry before applying the base coat. Applying several thin coats works much better than one thick coat! Hope that helps! Good luck!
When doing a french manicure there are no directions on when to leave the nail guide on and if it goes into the lamp. Please advise.
Good morning Carol! You will need to apply the Gel Base & Top Coat, cure it. Then clean your nail palette using the Gel Cleanser and wipes. Apply the tip guide then the tip using the brush and French Manicure UV Gel. Remove the tip guide, then clean any mistakes to make a defined French tip line. Cure. Apply second layer of Gel Base & Top Coat, cure it. Using the Gel Cleanser and Wipes remove the moisture from your nails. You will then have a shiny French manicure. XoXo Nailene
The first coat of white is streaky so I always need two coats apply the nail guide twice?
Do you put nail guide on twice otherwise white is streaky with one coat
Hi Carol! No, you don’t have to apply the tip guide twice. When you do your tips, apply two coats with the tip guide on (this should be the one and only time). That way, your white won’t be thin and streaky. Also, make sure your white tip dries before applying the second layer of gel base and top coat.
Can you use this lamp for shellac polishes as well?
Hi Tanya! We’re not sure if you can use the lamp for shellac polishes as it’s not our brand. We do know that the lamp works great with Nailene polishes! Hope that helps! Thanks!
wtf gel not drying
Oh no! Are you sure you cured it properly with the gel lamp? If you applied too many layers of gel, it will take longer to cure.
I bought the Nailene 36 watt uv lamp. One of the bulbs didn’t work, so I ordered one online, it fits perfectly but won’t light up. What could the problem be? Nothing is wrong with the bulb, and I switched the bulbs around to make sure the lamp works, which it does.
Hi Lori! It sounds like you did everything to troubleshoot the lamp. Unfortunately, it seems as if the actual lamp is faulty. Can you try and exchange it at the store you purchased for a new one? If not, we can send you a new one. We just need the item number from the box. Let us know!
Thank you for the quick response. I am a cosmetology student, and want to specialize in nails, so I am very grateful that you will replace the lamp for me, as the store does not have another one to exchange it. The numbers under the UPC code are: 7918171344.
Hi, I’ve been using the Nailene gel polishes with the UV lamp, I’ve been following the instructions very carefully, trying not to miss a step, my UV light is brand new, I’ve gotten 2 of the new gel polishes, and I still find that not even 24 hours later, my nails will peel right off. No matter how OCD I am with applying, or following the instructions, they will peel off. What is with that? I really like this product, but not with the results.
Hi Nina,
Are you using the SensatioNail gel polishes with the Nailene UV lamp? If so, the cure time is double, if not triple, what it indicates in the directions. If you are using Nailene gels with the Nailene UV lamp, check on the thickness in which you apply the gel. If you apply a thick layer of gel, it will not cure properly if you don’t give it enough time.
Hope that helps! XoXo Nailene
Hi i have bought nailene’s ultra quick gel kit from my local boots store, before I applied the nails I read through the instructions and the did my nail I have finish the nails applied the gel overlay and gel activator, my nails are not fully dry and are sticky. It did not say I have to use a uv lamp from this kit. As my nails are sticky how do I get the fully dry. Could you please help?
Thank you
Hi Leyla,
No – you don’t need a UV Lamp for the Nailene Ultra Quick Gel Kit, but I’m wondering if you applied either the gel overlay or the gel activator too thickly. Your nails are likely too sticky and not fully dry because the application did not get a chance to dry. Try applying a thinner layer of both the gel overlay and the activator and your nails should dry thoroughly. Hope that helps!
Thanks,
Nailene
I had the “still sticky” problem, and realized I may have put to thick of a coat on; so I tried again with a thinner coat, and they dried nicely. But I put polish on the afterward (to hide the obvious line from my nail and the tip) and it didn’t dry properly. It took about an hour for my nails to dry enough to put the top coat on, and that top coat was still soft.
And something about the kit I don’t like, there are only 2 sets of nails in the case. Each nail on one strip is a different size. Granted, of you’ve done nails before and know to file the bigger ones down to fit as to save on supplies; you’ll do that. But for those who don’t, there aren’t many nails in the kit to work with, so if they mess up, it’s a waste of a whole set. I suggest providing more nails in these sets.
Hi Aylin,
We’re sorry to hear you’re having issues with curing the gel. We’re not sure why the actual polish didn’t cure, but again, we think it may have to do with the thickness of application.
Thanks for the recommendation regarding the nail tip sizes. We’ll look into making sure more sizes are available.
Please try again with a thinner coat of polish.
Thanks,
Nailene
How to keep the uv gel curling lamp on longer? The light keeps going out after like 10 sec! Please I would like to keep it on a little longer!
Hi Kelly,
We’re sorry you’re having trouble with the UV lamp. It should automatically go off after 1 minute; not 10 seconds. There is something wrong if it does not stay on for the entire minute.
If you’re still seeing problems, exchange your machine at the retailer you purchased it from.
Thanks,
Nailene
I am having trouble doing gel french manicures. The white tip always seems to streak through the whole nail when I put on the top coat. Am I not curing long enough between steps?
Hi Kristen,
It sounds like you are not letting the white coat dry long enough before you put on the top coat. Try letting the white tip dry longer before you cure.
Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Nailene
I bought the Nailene Ultra Quick Brush-On Gel Kit to try and do a fill in on my gel nails. Can I do this even though I had them originally done in a salon? I’m trying to avoid paying so much money every two weeks and hopeing i can do this myself…any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks
Hi Amanda!
Of course – that’s one of the great reasons for using the kit! They include similar formulas that you can find at a salon but at a value price!
Here’s how to fill in your nails:
1. Make sure that nails are free of dark spots. If dark spots occur, discontinue use
2. Gently buff any remaining gel residue on nail
3. Thoroughly wipe off residue dust with a clean paper towel
4. Brush Gel Overlay smoothly in the nail area that needs to be filled in. Then immediately brush equal amount of Gel Activator over wet gel overlay
5. Apply second coat of Gel Overlay and Gel Activator to nails
6. Repeat this process with other nails
Hope this helps!
XoXo Nailene
I have done acrylic nails in the past and about 3 years ago started with gel nails. I got a Nailene UV gel lamp, kit and gels for Christmas and did my nails with it. The next day they started to peel after I did dishes, within a few hours they were all lifting and peeling. I removed all the nails ( peeled em right off) and did them again, same thing just lasted about 6 hours longer.. Okay I figured third time is a charm. NOPE they do not completely cure. So I did CNS gel nails and they hardened.. Is your system a soft gel system? If not, what’s up?
Hi Teresa,
We’re sorry to hear your nails peeled so quickly, but it sounds like you need to cure them a little longer. The reason they started to lift and peel so quickly is that the gel didn’t harden enough on your nails. Next time, make sure each coat is hardened sufficiently before applying the next coat.
Hope that helps.
Thanks,
Nailene Customer Service
Hi, Just read your comment to me,,. Cure them a little longer? 4-6 minutes between coats on the 2nd try, I have been doing mine and other peoples nails for 3 years after studying at the Institute of Nail Technology ( INT) . As I said, immediately afterwards I did CNS ( Canadian Nail Supply) products on my nails, and even with your lamp on one hand and theirs on the other, they both dried well and never peeled. What else could it be, because it is not the dry time, do you need a nail desiccant before application, Please, as I have all this product that I got as a gift, I would love to use it, but if you don’t come up with something, it is going back!
I recently bought the calcium gel tip kit and assumed I would be able to use the gel overlay on my natural nails as it is used as the glue to keep the tips on anyway. Is this true? I have tried on one nail and after an hour or so it was painful and I have had to remove. Have I done anything wrong or could these just not be suitable for my nails?
Hi Helen!
I’m not quite sure what you are asking. What do you want to do with the gel overlay? Do you want to apply it on to make your nails stronger? If so, we suggest you use our Acrylic Strength top coat instead, since the ingredients in the gel overlay may pull and tug at your natural nailbed, making it painful.
Hope that helps!
Thanks,
Nailene Customer Service
How do you install the bulbs bought the lamp today at walmart but no instructions
Hi Nya! The UV Bulbs inside the UV Lamps are supposed to just snap in and out easily. Are you having a hard time snapping the bulbs into the lamp so they connect? Please let us know.
Thanks,
Nailene Customer Service
Hi Nya,
When snapping in the bulbs try removing the bottom tray so your hand fits into the UV Lamp a little easier. The bulbs fit tightly so add a little pressure carefully to get them to snap in.
Hope that helps!
Thanks!
Nailene Customer Service
Just purchased the 36watt UV gel curing lamp. It states that the bulbs should “snap” in. The bulbs all fit but don’t “snap” in so the lamp won’t work. Should I be doing something differently?
Hi Paige,
When snapping in the bulbs try removing the bottom tray so your hand fits into the UV Lamp a little easier. The bulbs fit tightly so add a little pressure carefully to get them to snap in.
Hope that helps!
Thanks,
Nailene Customer Service
I bought your 200 set of your clear nail tips. I am trying to sell my designs online, and need to know your sizes. There are 12 sizes in total, and most are too close in size to be certain
. Thank you in advance!
Hi M.N.,
The nail sizes are located just under the tip of the nail. They’re a little hard to see but they are there!
Hope that helps and good luck with your nail designs. We’d love to see them!
Thanks,
Nailene Customer Service
how long do the Acrylic Sculpture Kits nails stay on? & how many come in a pack?
This product is brilliant. I am extremely happy with it as my nails have never grown so long with an “at home” product. I found that the trick to making everything “stick” is being very meticulous when filing the surface of my nails, every accessible part of it. If I don’t, the part that didn’t get filed, results in the polish peeling. Also applying the gel cleanser to the entire surface of the nail, as well as the gel primer is essential. Is there an easier/faster way to remove the polish? Also, where can I buy individual bottles of the gel primer, gel base and top coat, etc…
How long does nailene 71160 natural nails last?
Hi Sam,
We only recommend keeping our nails on for one week.
Hope this helps!
Thanks,
Nailene
Can I use nail tips with the UV gel system?
If so, which product?
Thanks,
Stephanie