Gel nail polish has been all the rage for quite some time now. If you aren’t familiar with gel polish, it is a type of UV-cured nail extension that usually lasts up to three weeks on nails. The problem is that many women don’t know how to properly thin their gel polish so they get an even application or are scared to put too much product on their brush because it can cause bubbles in the top layer of the nails.
This blog post will provide you with a complete guide on How To Thin Gel Polish and apply it evenly!
What is gel polish and how does it differ from regular nail polish?
Gel nail polish is a type of UV-cured nail extension typically lasting up to three weeks on nails. Regular polish, on the other hand, contains chemical solvents that dry quickly when exposed to air which means they have a shorter shelf life before becoming completely solid.
What does gel polish consist of?
Gel polishes are made up of a resin, photoinitiators and solvents.
What are the different types of gel polishes?
There are two main types of gel polish: soak off gels or hard gels. Soak-off gels consist mostly of ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA) monomers while hard gels usually consist of methyl cyanoacrylate (MCA) monomers.
What are the causes of gel polish thickness?
The number one cause of gel polish thickness is the addition of too much thickener to the base. An excess of this can easily create a product that looks like honey or glue!
How To Thin Gel Polish?
There are many ways in which you can thin your gel polishes so it’s important not to get discouraged when trying to do so. The most common techniques are:
- Adding a small amount of solvent to the polish
- Adding acetone to the polish
- Applying the polish over a tacky layer
Each technique has its own set of instructions that will be outlined below. How you thin your gel polish ultimately depends on personal preference and what works best for you and your client.
Adding a small amount of solvent to the polish:
Adding acetone or lacquer thinner in very, very small amounts is known as adding a ‘drop’. This technique works well if you’re experiencing difficulty applying multiple layers because it helps thin out each layer before moving on to the next one. To do this, add a drop of acetone or lacquer thinner to the polish and mix it in well. You can then apply the product as you normally would.
Adding acetone to the polish:
This technique is very simple – all you need to do is add pure acetone to your gel polish until you reach the desired consistency. It’s important to note that adding too much acetone can cause your polish to become brittle and chip easily so be careful not to overdo it!
Applying the polish over a tacky layer:
This technique is perfect for those who want to avoid bubbles in their top coat. To do this, simply apply a thin layer of gel polish and cure it. Once you take the tacky layer off, your nail bed should be much smoother because all of those pesky bubble have disappeared!
How to apply thinned gel polish?
Now that you’ve successfully added some solvent to your gel polish, it’s time to put what you learned into practice by applying the product evenly over your nails.
When applying thinned polish, it’s important to use a light hand and avoid overloading your brush. If you apply too much product, it will cause bubbles in the top coat and can also lead to lifting down the road.
To apply the polish evenly, use gentle strokes and make sure to avoid going back and forth over the nails too many times. This will help prevent bubbles from forming in the top coat and can also help reduce lifting along your cuticles.
Do note that if you’re using a brush-on product, it’s important to avoid going back and forth over the nails more than necessary because this could lead to streaking or uneven coverage on your nail bed.
What does a thinned gel polish look like?
A thinner product has an airy appearance and is more transparent than its non-thinned counterpart. If you’re looking for something more opaque, it’s best to leave your products as they are! After all, there’s no point in wasting time trying to make that perfect brush stroke when your clients won’t be able to see it!
Here are some good gel polish thinner products:
- Gel Polish Thinner by Glam Glitz
- UV Gel Thinner for Gel Polish by Gelos
Check them out and let us know what you think!
What are the benefits of thinning gel polish?
By learning how to properly thin your gel polishes, you’ll be able to experience a number of great benefits. Not only will it help give your clients more time between appointments, but it can also ensure that they get an even coat every single time!
Another great benefit of thinning your gel polishes is that it can help you to create beautiful nail art. This technique allows for much more detailed brush strokes and has the ability to transform a simple design into something truly unique.
As you can see, there are a number of benefits to properly thinning your gel polish! When done correctly, this technique has the ability to create smooth nail beds and give clients more time between appointments. It also gives you the opportunity to create beautiful designs that would otherwise be unachievable with an opaque product!
How to know if polish was manufactured thick?
Unfortunately, there isn’t one method that works every time, but there are a few ways you can test your gel polish to see if it was manufactured correctly. If the top coat of your product is too thick, bubbles will appear as soon as you apply it over your nails and won’t disappear even after curing!
If that’s not enough proof for you, try this: place an unopened bottle of your gel polish in a freezer for about an hour and check it out afterwards! If the product has been formulated correctly, there should be no cracks along the seal. However, if you notice that your top coat is too thick and airy, then this method will show you just how unstable it really is!
If any of these methods work for you, it’s best to reach out to the manufacturer and ask for a refund or exchange.
What are some tips for avoiding bubbles in the top coat?
In order to avoid bubbles in your top coat, make sure that you’re using a light hand when applying the product. If you overload your brush with polish, it will cause bubbling in the top coat and can also lead to lifting down the road.
To apply the polish evenly, use gentle strokes and make sure to avoid going back and forth over your nails too many times. This will help prevent bubbles from forming in the top coat and can also help reduce lifting along your cuticles.
What if I want a thicker gel polish?
If you’re looking for something more opaque, there’s no need to worry because this technique works with any type of product. To thicken the consistency of your products, add in some extra thickener and mix well until you’ve reached the desired consistency.
Just be careful not to add too much thickener, as this can cause your polish to become too sticky and difficult to work with. Once you’ve reached the perfect consistency, apply it over your nails as you would any other product.
What are some tips for avoiding lifting along cuticles?
One of the main reasons why you might notice your gel polish lifting along your cuticles is because it’s not dry enough. This can be caused by a number of different things, but the easiest way to prevent this issue is to remove excess product from around the edges after curing with an orange stick or nail file.
After doing so, make sure that you let all of your nails dry for an extra few minutes before applying any type of top coat. If you’re in a hurry, using a quick-dry spray can help speed up the process!
Another way to avoid lifting is to apply a thin layer of gel polish over your entire nail bed. This will help the product adhere better and will reduce the chances of bubbles and lifting along the edges.
How to remove a gel polish?
If you’re looking to get rid of your gel products, there are a number of ways that you can go about it depending on what type of product you have! If you’ve applied traditional soak-off gels over your nails, simply file them down until they’re level with the rest of your nail and soak them in acetone for about 15 minutes.
If you have a gel polish that doesn’t require any type of filing, you can use an acetone-based remover to take it off. Simply apply the product over your nails and wait for it to dissolve the polish before wiping it away with some gentle soap and water.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you find the perfect gel polish for your needs. If you haven’t found one yet, don’t worry! There are plenty of great brands out there that offer different types of polishes and nail care products to fit any need. Happy searching!
