Gelish Tutorial

How to apply Gelish polish to your nails


Step 1. Prepare the nail by gently pushing back the cuticle using the tool of your choice.

Step 2. Shape the natural nail to your liking by using a nail file of your choice I like using crystal nail files.

Step 3. Prepare the natural nail by gently removing the shine using a buffer.


Step 4. Place a small amount of Gelish Cleanse (or 91% alcohol) on a lint-free pad and wipe the nail to remove any excess dust or oil.

Step 5. Apply Gelish PH Bond from the cuticle to free edge. Gelish PH Bond evaporates very quickly leaving no residue. This is used to dehydrate and neutralize the nail plate to prepare it for the Foundation Gel. (skip step if you used the 91% alcohol in step 4)


Step 6. Apply a very thin layer of Gelish Foundation Gel (base coat) to the nail from cuticle to free-edge. The Foundation Gel will remain tacky even after it has been cured. Be careful not to touch it with your fingers. Clean any gel that is on sidewalls or cuticles before curing.







Step 7. Place your hand in the LED or Lamp and cure for 10 seconds or 1 minute in a 36 Watt UV Light. I cure for 180 secs with my lamp.





Intermediate Step: Be sure to roll your Gelish Nail Polish bottle around in your hands to make sure it is mixed evenly. Do not shake this will create bubbles.

Step 8. Apply a very thin coat of Gelish color to the nail and cover the natural nail plate completely from cuticle to free-edge. Be sure to remove any Gelish from the skin before curing. Cap the free-edge to seal. This will prevent any unnecessary chipping or peeling from any edge snags. Cure the Gelish polish. Clean any gel that is on sidewalls or cuticles before curing.



Step 9. Place your hand in the LED Lamp and cure for 30 seconds or 3 minutes in a 36 Watt UV Light.

Step 10. Apply a second thin coat of Gelish color to the nail if needed. Cure the Gelish polish again and after each coat until you've reached your desired appearance.

Step 11. Place your hand in the LED Lamp and cure for 30 seconds or 3 minutes in a 36 Watt UV Light. I cure for 180 secs with my lamp which is 3 minutes but some lamps will only have settings for seconds not minutes.

Step 12. Apply Gelish Top it Off to the nail from cuticle to free-edge. Be sure to cap the free-edge to seal.

Step 13. Place your hand in the LED Lamp and cure for 20 seconds or 2 minutes in a 36 Watt UV Light.

Step 14. Place a small amount of Gelish Cleanse (or 91% alcohol) to a lint-free pad and wipe the surface of the nail to remove any excess sticky residue.

Finish by applying cuticle oil of your choice.

Whew all Done!

This process is basically the same for Shellac to, I will post a follow up on removal of soak-off gel polishes. :)