Easiest Way to Apply Builder Gel to Natural Nails

Today I'm showing you how I do my gel nails at home and how I have a perfect application every time. Watch the video from beginning to end so you don't miss any tips.
Products used in this video
Builder gel amzn.to/41xlOay
Gel polish amzn.to/3RvOUTm
Nail lamp amzn.to/3TAaB77
Files amzn.to/479g4F9
Nail drill amzn.to/3RNRjdf
Cuticle bit amzn.to/3QRtksR
Removel bit amzn.to/3wzQoFI
Arbor bands amzn.to/4aoXv1j
Cuticle pusher amzn.to/48sBVso
Nail trimers amzn.to/3NByPdF
Pearl pink gel polish a.co/d/dKFBArv
Cat eye gel polish amzn.to/41xojty
Base and Top Coat Gel a.co/d/6NgHxgq
My filming setup
Canon g7x mark ii amzn.to/3NxwJeQ
My mini tripod amzn.to/4atWiqU
FAQ
how old are you? ➭ 17
when did you start KZbin? ➭ 2019
what do you use to edit? ➭ Final Cut Pro x
I am also homeschooled.

[@betty4gators]

Wow I wore acrylics for almost 40 years. I got first set for my wedding and wore them constantly for years until the pandemic. I wore drug store type glue on nails during shut down and then just got tired and let my natural nails grow. Even after years my natural nails still do not look great. After watching this intelligent well spoken young lady I want to try doing this type of nail product. She gave such great instructions and tips. If my nails can look half as great as hers I will be happy.

[@leelee8311]

you do a great job demonstrating & describing what you are doing & I appreciate that you emphasize it takes practice! You also don’t make it feel overwhelming. Great job!

[@Maddy-Marie]

Glad it was helpful!

[@missy13april]

What an amazing tutorial. Thank you 😊

[@Maddy-Marie]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mariavictoriarazonstinchco7137]

New subscriber and just enrolled at a Nail school and so grateful that I stumbled on your channel thank you and blessings to you.

[@Maddy-Marie]

Thank you!! I hope you do well at your nail school!

[@thikraalharbi7201]

One of the best tutorials! Thanks a lot ❤

[@Maddy-Marie]

Glad you think so!

[@jennyfaithlopez6816]

Thanks for making this video!

[@Maddy-Marie]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MamaMia-xn1op]

Great job teaching! I’m going to try this method thanks! 😊❤

[@Maddy-Marie]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@tanishamarie5534]

Great tutorial!🤍

[@Maddy-Marie]

Thank you! 😁

[@cherised3654]

This was so helpful thank you 💗

[@Maddy-Marie]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tawandalashea]

Thank you so much for the tip about the directions of the drill!! That is going to help me so much 😊

[@Maddy-Marie]

Happy to help!

[@CallMeErie]

Thanks for the very helpful video! I really appreciate the advice about the slip layer and about how to apply the more structured layer. I can’t wait to use this technique. 😊

[@Maddy-Marie]

Glad it was helpful!

[@littlegui4823]

So glad I found your channel!!

[@Maddy-Marie]

Welcome!!

[@ctang212]

This was helpful, thank you

[@Maddy-Marie]

I’m so glad I could help! 😊

[@Wolfhailstorm]

What a great video! Thank you :D

[@Maddy-Marie]

Glad you like it

[@00001tea]

this was so helpful and clear and well demonstrated!! thank you for sharing your tips :)

[@Maddy-Marie]

Thank you so much! I’m glad it was helpful :)

[@something.clever.]

You are a lifesaver! Thank you 😊 Please make more videos 😅

[@camillegreen3858]

You are a VERY good teacher

[@Maddy-Marie]

Wow, thank you 😊

[@elizabethrodarte9794]

Omg your timing is just perfect! I just got my stuff for builder gel in and was watching videos and although they do the show the process, your video is the best I've seen by far!! Straight to the point :)) thanks sm!!

[@Maddy-Marie]

I’m so glad I could help and thank you for the compliment! 😊❤️

[@elizabethrodarte9794]

please make a nail series!! you explain every very well and I think a lot of other people would be interest to see this as well!

[@fb8015]

Great tutorial one of the beat👏

[@Maddy-Marie]

Glad you liked it!! Thank you so much!! 😊

[@ThepurrrBlog]

Great tips! Very helpful video! Thank you!

[@Maddy-Marie]

So glad you like it!!

[@ClaudiaGarnet]

Your nails are so pretty!!! ❤

[@Maddy-Marie]

Thank you!!

[@1shaprice]

Cant wait to try this process. You made it look so easy!!!

[@Maddy-Marie]

Yay that’s so exciting!! Remember practice makes perfect 👍🏼

[@1shaprice]

@@Maddy-Marie I tried your technique and it worked so much better!! I’m not perfect yet but this video really helped me

[@BillSousa-ku1gs]

Thank you for these tips! I have so much trouble with getting bg on my cuticles and side walls. You make it look so easy!! I can’t wait to try it!

[@Maddy-Marie]

Happy to help!

[@NessyontheGo]

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing. I first learned about rubber base gel nails at the salon when I tried to do dip powder, and they suggested I try rubber base gel instead. I love them, but it is quite pricy, especially if you get nail art done. I didn't realize that getting the materials yourself could be pretty affordable. I initially thought that you needed special colored gel polishes to use with the builder gel, but you showed me exactly what's needed, so thank you for that!

[@Maddy-Marie]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nancybrown2609]

Your nails are soo beautiful!!! Love the frosty color! Lots of good tips for using gel. I’m thinking about trying to grow my nails out and just using gel to strengthen and beautify them! Great info!!!

[@Maddy-Marie]

Thank you so much! I think growing out your nails will be awesome!

[@Jeanettepina12]

Thank you I will try it 🧐

[@BlueEyedDemonWoman]

Thanks so much for the great video... I have a hard time getting products to not peel off. Your video was easy to follow.

[@Maddy-Marie]

So glad you like it!! The peeling is probably caused by not prepping the nails good enough before applying the gel and I am planing on making a video about proper nail prep soon. But there’s some other videos on nail prep that you could watch on KZbin.

[@mamofoneteen5178]

Oh wow, that was so interesting. I’m in awe of how easy you made that look. I’m 51 never been to a nail salon and a couple of weeks ago I decided enough was enough and that I need to stop hating my nails and do something about it! So I’m on a journey, hence watching all kinds of nail videos on here. I’m a little disheartened at having one hand (my left) that looks okay ish considering how novice I am at applying anything to my nails and the other looking like I’ve found my mums nail polish aged 3 and given it ago 😂. I’m thinking a trip to a professional might be in order. Enjoyed the video, thanks 🙏

[@debidee5548]

Same. So I've newly started playing with painting & designing fake nails using gelx nails & then gluing them on.

[@teathersboujeenailstuff]

Beautiful thanks sweetie

[@Maddy-Marie]

You are welcome

[@vikapepper5177]

Boy I'm sure glad I found your channel. Thank you for all the great tips, also a new subscriber 😊

[@Maddy-Marie]

I’m so glad I could help! Welcome to the channel😊

[@karahmiaopal4402]

Great tutorial for sure. I checked out a few others you've posted regarding nails. Keep it up girl!

[@Maddy-Marie]

Thank you so much!!😊

[@martacugini9679]

Great tutorial! What did you apply before the base coat? Thanks 🤗

[@Maddy-Marie]

I just had a little bit of left over product from my last manicure on my nails. But I always do wipe my nails with some isopropyl alcohol before the base coat so it will dry my nails and remove any access oils that may be on the nail plate.

[@littlegui4823]

Maddie please make more nail videos!!

[@Maddy-Marie]

👀

[@martynagowicka6979]

This is so helpful, I've been trying to find a video like this that outlines all the steps from start to finish, and you use the exact same brand of gel polish as me which is great! one question, do you apply a top coat after curing the builder gel and before applying gel polish? thanks!

[@Maddy-Marie]

Glad it was helpful! The top coat is the last thing you do, so if you want to use gel polish after the builder gel you would apply the top coat after the polish. 😊❤️

[@martynagowicka6979]

@@Maddy-Marie Thank you!! 💕

[@GamingBetweenCries]

thanks for the tutorial! I tried builder gel over the weekend and I noticed that it was burning more when I cured it, does that happen to you also?

[@Maddy-Marie]

You probably just experienced some heat spikes, this can happen more with some gels vs some others. If that happens just take your hand out of the lamp for a few seconds then continue curing. This does happen to me sometimes with the gel top coat but if I have a thick enough base of builder gel I don’t really feel it. I hope this helps!😊

[@LeeSimon-fk4dh]

cool

[@Maddy-Marie]

😎

[@cassiahwestgard7367]

Do you do one nail at a time? Or do you do the slip layer on all then the building up?

[@Maddy-Marie]

I do one nail at a time, and when you do the slip layer, you don’t need to cure that, you cure the nail once you applied all of the builder gel. I hope this helps 😊

[@lulugracie]

Hey there! This is so helpful. I have a question. Do you cure your whole hand each time after every nail is done? Like do you cure after you apply the builder gel to each nail? Sorry if this has been asked already!!!❤

[@Maddy-Marie]

Hey there! Yes, you need to cure your nail right after you apply the builder gel, because if you wait till you do all your nails the gel can move and some time go on your cuticle. So cute after each nail. Also I love to answer all y’all’s questions!

[@lulugracie]

@@Maddy-Marie Thank you so, so much! This video is *really* well done i’m ordering some gel polish and builder gel on amazon by the same brand.🩷 will be using this tutorial to do my nails then.

[@Maddy-Marie]

That’s so exciting!!

[@elitshnd2010]

Great video, but 1 thing, do we cure the 'slip layer' the thin coat of builder gel before putting the second layer on and for how long under leds?

[@Maddy-Marie]

No, you don’t want to cure that layer because you’ll want that layer to still be wet before you apply the bigger bead of gel. I hope this helps!

[@elitshnd2010]

@@Maddy-Marie great thank you. I will try this, my builder gel is super thick though so hopefully it will fully cure.

[@Maddy-Marie]

It should cure all the way through

[@floresnailsbyg1115]

Is the base gel just regular base like the same one that’s used for a regular gel manicure or is it a specific one for builder gel?

[@Maddy-Marie]

It’s the same. But I would recommend making sure that the base and builder gel that you’re using are both by the same brand. I hope this helps!😊

[@michelespencer6095]

Hi great video, can you tell me the difference between Beetles builder gel and Gelish Structure gel?

[@Maddy-Marie]

Thank you so much! I believe it’s the same thing, but just with different names. It’s more commonly call builder gel.

[@michelespencer6095]

@@Maddy-Marie thank you. 😊

[@user-lq1zp6uo8s]

To nasze ulubione

[@LA-cm9uo]

Do we need to put gel base coat before the builder gel? And why did you only cure the gel base for 30 seconds? Is it meant to still be sticky? Can we use a colored one?

[@Maddy-Marie]

The base coat is what helps the builder gel stick better to your nail plate and helps make your nails last longer. Most base coats only need 30 seconds to cure, but check your bottle because some brands have different cure times. Also when most types of gel cures there is a sticky coat and if you want you can wipe that off with some isopropyl alcohol, but it doesn’t really matter if you do or not. I’m sure what you mean by colored one, but if you’re talking about gel polish you will still need a base coat before you apply that. I hope this helps!

[@lilifioh8908]

Looks amazing 😍 I just have this one problem: once I cure the builder gel, it still doesn't get hard and keeps being sticky... I checked the info and my UV lamp has enough Watts so I really dont know what the problem is

[@Maddy-Marie]

I think the sticky stuff you’re talking about isn’t uncured gel. That is the tacky coat, you can wipe that off if you want with some rubbing alcohol. Most types of gels have tacky coats except for top coats. To test your lamp I would cure some top coat on a piece of paper and test if that cures all the way. I hope this helps 😊

[@artiepie]

So you cure your nails after you finished each nail?

[@Maddy-Marie]

Yes, cure after each nail when applying the builder gel. When I am applying the base coat or top coat I’ll do all my nails first then cure them all at once. I cure in between each nail when applying the builder gel because we put more product on the nail and if you let it sit the gel could run into your cuticles, but with something like the base coat, we apply that so thin that it’s just going to stay where it is. I hope this helps!

[@CassandraBanana]

What happens if you used it like a regular gel polish? Say, two individually cured layers of what equates to the slip coat?

[@Maddy-Marie]

You could do that, it would make you nails a little stronger but not like if you used the structured method like I showed you. I guess it just depends on what you want. If you have really short nails it may work well for you. I hope this helps!

[@Martie-oe1sl]

Do you cure after the slip layer?

[@Maddy-Marie]

No, you want that layer to be wet

[@juliesanchez77777]

Which color builder gel did you use exactly? Nude pink?

[@Maddy-Marie]

Yes, it’s a nude pink but the exact color I used was D024 by beetles. This is a similar color www.amazon.com/Beetles-Gel-Structure-Extension-Strengthener/dp/B0C4DVT2JK?content-id=amzn1.sym.7d2e00dd-9358-4f89-aca0-04685eb73811%3Aamzn1.sym.7d2e00dd-9358-4f89-aca0-04685eb73811&crid=2ARDSKSBA2C9N&cv_ct_cx=beetles%2Bbuilder%2Bgel&keywords=beetles%2Bbuilder%2Bgel&pd_rd_i=B09VNKV8BQ&pd_rd_r=4777a74c-16c2-4510-a960-ed45d7c15a4a&pd_rd_w=UeZ8C&pd_rd_wg=0MLGM&pf_rd_p=7d2e00dd-9358-4f89-aca0-04685eb73811&pf_rd_r=5A7NC8046QDC81MY1YT7&qid=1703181508&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=beetles%2Bb%2Caps%2C134&sr=1-4-5f457e4f-4cf5-45bd-948b-58563dcb013a&linkCode=sl1&tag=tiffiymichell-20&linkId=ae6be9016363d27a931686b143da60ac&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&th=1&psc=1

[@blueclarity]

Because I've got issues I would have finish filed after the BIB, before the polish.

[@jackiecasillas6321]

Any tips for working on your dominant hand with the non-dominant one?! That’s where it all goes super bad for me…

[@Maddy-Marie]

Practice is the best tip I can give you, but I may make a video all about working on your dominant hand in the future.

[@kare7714]

Hi!! Do I really need a base coat before I apply Builder Gel? What happens if I only apply Builder??

[@Maddy-Marie]

The base coat will help the gel adhere better to your nail bed making your nails last longer. You could skip it if your have to but I’d use it if I had it. I hope this is helpful!

[@kare7714]

@@Maddy-Marie thank you 😇

[@ryannec8881]

Ok maybe I’m just sleep deprived because of my newborn but is this a 4 step process? 1. Base coat, cure 2. Builder polish, cure 4. Any color gel polish, cure 4. Top coat, cure?

[@Maddy-Marie]

Yes, you got the steps right! I do know that there is some colored builder gels out there and you could just use that instead of applying the gel polish for your color.

[@ryannec8881]

Ok great I was looking on Amazon so I got confused! Thank you 😊

[@Maddy-Marie]

Glad I could help! I also have all the products linked in the description so it’s easy to find.

[@alexandraramirez7092]

Hello sorry to bother but how long you cure each nail after the builder gel? 30? Or 60? Thanks 🙏🏾

[@Maddy-Marie]

The builder gel you will cure for 30 seconds The top coat needs 60 seconds

[@Lynthefoodie]

How long did this take you to do?

[@Maddy-Marie]

If I’m filming it takes me about 2.5 hours but if I’m not it takes 2 hours. Removing the gel from my last set takes the longest.

[@vickyhenderson1981]

I have my nails done by someone but the whole builder gel and colour comes off after a few days in one big lump, do you know why?

[@Maddy-Marie]

The person who did your nails probably didn’t prep your nails well and that is why your nails fall off. This is not good because when your nails peel off like that it can cause damage to your natural nail bed. If your nail becomes too damaged you probably should let your nails rest and let them grow back till they are healthy again. I hopes this helps 😊

[@sabrinacappadoro3408]

Your video is great but you skipped what happens after the builder gel. After you cure your builder gel do you buff it?

[@Maddy-Marie]

I don’t buff or file my nails after the builder gel but if one nail needs it I will file and buff it. I try to spend more time on the application so that way I won’t need to file after. Then I will paint on my gel polish and top coat. I hope this helps 😊

[@sizesexy485]

@@Maddy-MarieDo you wipe the builder gel after curing? I tried and it was still sticky after curing.

[@LMnYng]

How do i get my builder gel from looking so lumpy even when i flip my nail over Or can i smooth over w a file after i cure it?

[@Maddy-Marie]

Yes, after you cure the gel you can file it smooth. I try to spend more time on the application just so I won’t have to file afterwards but sometimes I still do need to file. I hope this helps ❤️😊

[@LMnYng]

@@Maddy-Marie thank you ❤️ I’ll still practice but w the filing as an option i hope I’ll get better at it

[@Maddy-Marie]

Practice makes perfect! 👍🏼

[@taniasprague816]

Are these acrylic or gel?

[@Maddy-Marie]

This is gel

[@anne-lirichter6612]

How Manny rpm when you e-filing ? 😊

[@Maddy-Marie]

When I am removing product I have it at 24rpm and when I am prepping the cuticles I have it at 15rpm.

[@anne-lirichter6612]

I am a beginner and my main concern now is how many rpm to use, confusing. thank you for your quick reply 🌸 Do you know if there is a guide where I can find info on how many rpm should be used for different preps 😊

[@Maddy-Marie]

Yes, that can be confusing lol. When I first started using a e-file I only use soft bits just so I could learn how to hold and get comfortable using it. The best advice I could give you is to just keep practicing and don’t forget to practice using it on your dominant hand as well. That way you can train your other hand. This is a pretty good video on e-filing and may help you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH_RqHpqdqh-fposi=pVlHqQB7b7lkandR

[@christinadudley-gray4816]

You didn't list the name of the drill bit in the description. Can you please provide a link to it? Thank you.

[@Maddy-Marie]

Yes of course! Here are the links Cuticle bit amzn.to/3QRtksR Removed bit amzn.to/3wzQoFI Arbor bands amzn.to/4aoXv1j

[@christinadudley-gray4816]

@@Maddy-Marie Thank you so very much for sharing! I am on a journey to perfect my nails. Unfortunately I am having a hard time with product lifting at the free edge (even though I cap them) because my nails are naturally SUPER weak!!

[@Maddy-Marie]

@@christinadudley-gray4816 I used to have a problem with that too. I found a way to fix that and in my next nail video, I can demonstrate it in the video. So stay tuned!

[@debpoli85]

Great tutorial! Is it really necessary to apply base coat under the builder gel? I mean, it’s one extra layer and it’s time consuming. I applied builder gel for the first time today and I didn’t use a base coat (because I didn’t know I should) so let’s see how it turns out

[@Maddy-Marie]

If you don’t get lifting I think it should be fine, but the base coat will help the builder gel stick and last longer on your nails. I hope this helps!

[@debpoli85]

Interesting! Thanks for clarifying!

[@todiann27]

What color is that?

[@dariaglass3851]

D024

[@Maddy-Marie]

Yes, it is D024

[@user-we4hp5pi2g]

Man can you come and do my nails

[@Maddy-Marie]

I wish lol 😂

[@lynnechinnock4020]

Never , never again, builders gel ruined my natural nails, took me over 6 months to get my healthy nail back!

[@Maddy-Marie]

Oh no!! Did you have lifting because that will your ruin nails.

[@aylaniccraith]

Did you fully remove the product from ur last set before u added the base coat?🩷