Professional Gel Manicure at Home on Natural Nails | My Secret to 4+ Weeks of Wear!

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How to do your own gel manicure at home, salon style.
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#paolaponcenails #gelnails #naturalnails

[@PaolaPonceNails]

If you need help with your gel nails and how to help them stop lifting I created this resource for you: paolaponcenails.com/problems

[@dibright1445]

Wow, this is the best tutorial I have ever seen on doing gel nails to your own nails. You explained everything so perfectly and your voice is so relaxing to listen to. My own nails are naturally long, if I take care of them. I’ve always wanted to try this because there’s just something about it that makes your own nails look much prettier, not to mention you manicure will last a lot longer. Thank you so much for sharing this and for telling us why things happen and what you can do to correct it if a problem arises. Again, thank you. ❤

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Thank u for watching!

[@s.dyeginer1489]

I want to express my deep appreciation for your incredible work as a nail artist on KZbin. Since I started watching your videos, I've learned so much and been inspired to elevate my own nail care. Your clear explanations, step-by-step tutorials, and creative ideas have helped me enhance my nail skills. I've gained so much knowledge and confidence in nail art thanks to your fantastic content. I genuinely look forward to each of your new videos, and I can't thank you enough for the valuable information you share. Keep up the amazing work, and please know that you're making a significant impact on your viewers, including me. 💕💕

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Well this is a beautiful comment to wake up to. Thank. you you for taking the time to write such kind words. Appreciated💐

[@katie4996]

The best tutorial I’ve seen yet! Thank you!

[@scentfabs]

So satisfying🤗🤤🤩. Great video Paola💜

[@Nailia_Essi]

Very informative - I will definitely try everything you mentioned in this video - Thank you!

[@botanerine]

The most flawless application!

[@ystedford0876]

I love how thorough you are. And you teach us how to love on our natural nails while trying to get a longer lasting manicure😊

[@heidihunny4890]

Yes!!! I wish more people mentioned the scrubby gel base layer. It really makes a difference

[@krupapatel5976]

Amazing advice the first video that's actually now makes sense why my gel keeps lifting.... Thank you 🤗

[@MissNailology]

Oooh I love the cuticle oil tip, thank you!

[@lisettepineda7551]

Best tutorial ever! I love it. ❤❤❤

[@susanrichard329]

Awesome video! I’m about to start doing my own at home. I subscribed to your channel. ❤️❤️

[@rayjones5065]

Thank you so much!! Very helpful as I'm attempting my first home nails trial!! 💅

[@lindahickmon9768]

I love how you teach . Thank you so much

[@teresagould6987]

Fantastic tutorial. Thank you for the tip of how to protect the skin with oil. Brilliant idea. Xxxx ❤

[@TheStitchWitchPodcast]

ooh it would also be lovely to fill in the inside with some opalescent or turquoise-like gels!

[@rebeccamuir3464]

Just gorgeous thanks so much🎉

[@ComputerAngel007]

I can trust this. Informative. Other videos are weird. Thank you

[@RommyFallas]

such a lovely video🌼🙏

[@simple_naildesigns]

Great video, very informative 🥰💖

[@Anelero]

This is so beautiful

[@annethompson1303]

This is a super tutorial. The best natural gel nail I have seen. Your natural nails are amazing too.

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Thank you!

[@cgarcia2713]

I’m gonna try this !!

[@kaleyahmalveaux8161]

Omgggg I LOVE YOU for this video! Thank you thank you thank youuuu ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@PaolaPonceNails]

I’m glad it helped!

[@hannahe.s.caldwell6853]

I love love love your videos! Keep it up! I've had no success (yet!) with doing my gel nails at home, but your videos are so easy to follow, and are giving me confidence! I'm understanding the technique so much better now. I'm excited to try your tips!

[@RAJOHN-ke7mc]

Youll get it. Ive watched this video a dozen times and ive finally made a perfect gel nail. I just keep staring at it because it looks so beautiful. I usually only do gel for a broken nail so the practice has been helpful. Ive found using a great overhead light and reading glasses is so helpful.

[@TrollingEveryone92]

I’m at work watching this cuz I’m bout to do it as soon as I get home! I just peeled all my gel cuz they don’t stink to my nails… so I can’t wait to use this technic

[@DivaEagle77]

Thank you for the tip about 90 percent alcohol. I never thought about that before!

[@ladyinmauve]

I've experienced lifting many times, but I'll follow your suggestions to stay away from primer and/or bonder and perfect prepping and capping. I can't wait to try your method!.

[@perseveranceofkeisha8792]

Perfect. Thx.

[@starz11421]

Thank you for this! Love love love the final look!

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Glad you do! Thank you!

[@adflix424]

@@PaolaPonceNails There's a Japanese gel nail brand called Nailbook.jp What do you think about their products?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Have not used.

[@keybrewer82]

No one explains the process like you. Thank from new subbie and diy'er

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Welcome!

[@denagustafson6070]

I wish my nail technician was as knowledgeable and savvy as this content creator! Amazing tips and fabulous results!

[@DrWinkles]

I absolutely love this tutorial, but need to comment, guuuurl- your voice and accent- it was so soothing. Gave me great vibes to do this myself. 💯 video 👏🙌

[@PaolaPonceNails]

❤️ ❤️

[@gone4684]

I love your nails! I really was hoping to see some nail extension building maybe with leafgel or kokoist, I would love to see you do a whole set start to finish! ♥️

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Hi ! I show these fully in my paid programs like the Master Gel Nails Course. mastergelnails.com I offer a free masterclass to see if it is the program for you at Https://paolaponcenails.com/Masterclass

[@mkb5984]

Keep it natural.

[@shyrleygomez1500]

Great video what is the clear coat you applied for the stickers, is it a gel clear coat?

[@mae1813]

Can you use Vaseline around your nails to protect the skin from the acetone?

[@lovephotography1966]

I stopped going to nail salons because they insist on using the same gritty files for acrylics on my natural nails. I just couldn't get them to understand how damaging it was to my naturally lengthy nails. Great vid.

[@marinablue1255]

obviously its totally your chouce with everything when it comes to beauty treatments. however having a low grit file on your nails is the number 1 way to get your acrylics to come off before they should. Ive tried it every which way to do it with lower grit files and a lot of these videos just lowkey lie about how long things like that last. obviously it damaging to remove any amount of nail for prep so i understand not wanting it done

[@bellanails3838]

I'm working on a project and wanted to ask what do you think is/are the biggest problems in the nail industry as a nail professional?

[@RAJOHN-ke7mc]

Where can i find those stickers. I love negative space nails

[@deborahsmith5498]

Thankyou so much Paola 🥰❤ this is exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I can not fund the stain barrier top gel . I will be definitely trying your tips and tricks xxxx

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Stain Barrier Top will debut, I think end of month!

[@AK-kl7pg]

Can DIY-ers buy it?

[@carleyhawker221]

Love your videos!!! Thank you! Curious why you said to cure each nails base coat individually?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

if you're adding a bit of structure.

[@whiltpold]

Thank you for this video! Great instructional for beginners like me. 💜 Question: Is it best to use the Mega Sticky Base (as a first layer) if I plan to use the Nail Thoughts Milky Base for my base & color?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

No. You can use the same NT Base you choose as a base layer and cure that layer, Then apply your "build layer".

[@AK-kl7pg]

Can DIY-ers even buy the Mega Sticky Base?

[@amihicks9116]

I have a problem of chipping. Now I'm thinking its just lifting because i don't prep as well as I thought. I just bought a milky white as well. I'm going to take some time and have a mini salon day at home. Thank you for the tips!

[@user-cg9nn3gr9z]

I think I am having the same problem with prep..I didn't even paint my nails until recently.. so I never got to play nails with a friend when I was little 😢😂.. so now I really want to play nails with a friend..😅😅🤷🏼‍♀️🫣🫣🫣

[@alejandranatal4144]

this was an amazing tutorial thank you. i was looking for a tutorial that didn’t involve cutting the cuticle because i hate it.

[@leratomazive3960]

You are the best teacher, thank you

[@PaolaPonceNails]

❤️

[@DoniaRehim]

Can i use acetone instead of the alcohol?

[@canadaymexico2002]

What did you use to wipe off the inhibition layer before placing the stickers on your nails?

[@AK-kl7pg]

Rubbing alcohol.

[@nataliaspinelli9747]

Clear coat and top coat the same?

[@karelysalas8032]

I love your croissant ring. Could you link the page where you bought it ? It looks so sleek!

[@PaolaPonceNails]

It’s from Ana Luisa!

[@AK-kl7pg]

6 weeks!!! Wow! I'm lucky if mine go 2. 😅

[@vampswolf973]

Hi! thank you for this video! Im curious to know which cure UV lamp you use? I am using modelones and im curious to know your opinion on it too !

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Use the curing unit of the brand of gel you use the most, or from a brand that has been in the gel nails Biz for a long time… that’s my opinion ❤️

[@erwinism8006]

wow! thanks! what's the spray moisturizer you used at the end? thanks!

[@PaolaPonceNails]

It’s from Lily Gel paolaponcenails.com/ziillabeau

[@cuetka]

Hi Paola! You are wonderful, as are your videos ❤️ Do you know where in Europe can be bought Japanese or Korean gels?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Have you tried Tafs? www.tafsproducts.co.uk

[@cuetka]

@@PaolaPonceNails Unfortunately, after Brexit, England is treated as a country outside the European Union in terms of taxation of goods purchased from there with customs duties and taxes.

[@mimardelplata]

Very good thank you !!!I try to do my own nails But I find it difficult to cure I bought a Opi lamp quite expensive :( , but don’t cure well I notice the light colours take ages !!

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Curing units are calibrated with their nail systems. The best thing to do is use OPI products w/ the OPI lamp. 💐

[@nslgnl0107]

🙏

[@tararobles3245]

I have such a hard time painting my nails neatly. I have such shaky hands it’s so frustrating

[@LALA-zm9xg]

Paola please do a video on when your wearing gel polish. Then you accidentally hit a nail low and you feel the to remove all your gels, just to cut the rest of your nails...😬

[@buckshot1488]

What do you mean by "clear coat"?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

🔺My Full Gel Nail Services Course: Master Gel Nails paolaponcenails.com/mgn

[@msflygurl3760]

Hey girl luv ur vids but do you not do dip nails??

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Nope.

[@sarahstaggs7618]

What is the brand of the cuticle pusher used? TY

[@PaolaPonceNails]

I order most of my dry mani and Efile tools from paolaponcenails.com/Nashlynails (you can use my affiliate code for 10% off)

[@olifiloelerato8716]

Hi 👋, I'm a beginner at doing my nails at home with gel polishes and my gel mani lifts at the free edge. How I stop that from happening?

[@tunnasch]

@@PaolaPonceNails Capping at the free edge (backwards) with an initial clear coat -- what a good idea. Always get that shale-like splitting when I only cap the final coat. Thank you!

[@heymara1]

Do you ever just take the colour layer off but leave the base?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

You can if you're very meticulous about it. When doing on myself, I find it hard to do.

[@ivica1618]

Hiii! So my first 2 manicures did great, but the third one they started lifting, I changed it after 5 days and it lifted again..!!! I am afraid to use dehydrator so often, is it dangerous if I use dehydrator for the third time in a month? And what can be the reason for that lyfting, the color is new, maybe from it? Or not buffing my nails?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

brittle damaged nails after rough removals or prep can lead your next manicures to last less and less. You want to be as gentle as possible, and never peel your gel. Stop use, if you have damaged your nails and let them recover before re-applying.

[@CraigsOverijse]

very throughthwnks mine always lift at the sides not the edged and they dont seem to adhere well no matter how much i prep

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Over-prepping on damaged nails will also lead to lifting.

[@CraigsOverijse]

@@PaolaPonceNails thanks I try to lightly buff over all including the sides, I do try and do all the edge cleaning of skin and cuticles I use a prep solution and apply the gels go on fine but usually lift withing a few days possibly my products but will keep trying to find a way to make it work. Never had them done professionally as I enjoy doing them but standard polish isnt durable which is why im trying to get the ges to work

[@shannonl6341]

I think when I buff to remove shine my nails get too smooth. I follow all the other tips but I still get lifting. I have pretty thin damaged nails from years of biting. Any further suggestions?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Increase the grit on your buffer and buff slowly. If you buff fast, you smooth out the nail.

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Also, if any gel touches skin or cuticle it will lift.

[@shannonl6341]

@@PaolaPonceNails thank you! I have learned so much from you!

[@jessicas4124]

I tried to follow these instructions, last 2 times I still lift and chip on my right hand in less than a week. So frustrating. I've been doing gel nails at home for a couple of years and I still struggle.

[@madisonscofield6477]

Try a rubber base gel! It helps mine last 3+ weeks

[@-Reagan]

Try using a long lasting nail primer a base coat and a long lasting/extended wear top coat specifically for gel manicures - Sally’s beauty supply has really great ones (in black bottles although they are clear - the color of the black bottle is just to protect them from the light causing separating or coagulation when stored) or you can buy them online. If it still doesn’t work, try the primer without a base coat (it’s specifically made to adhere polish to the nail) and use the top coat that’s specifically made to protect gel coat. DO NOT WIPE THE PRIMER OR DRY COMPLETELY - it’s SUPPOSED TO BE STICKY. Don’t try touching it. Be absolutely sure every other layer is completely dry before you continue. Don’t worry about a layer of color applying thin or streaky - don’t try to pile on polish - it’s supposed to apply thinly. Use more than one coat for coverage or up to three coats, being careful to fully dry each coat. When it’s time to remove the polish, tear some cotton balls in half, soak them in nail polish remover and apply one to each finger for about 5-10 minutes before removing them one at a time. They sell little clips that fit over your fingers just for this so you can use your hands while you’re doing this. They have them on AliExpress and Temu and Wish and Amazon. The first nail you check should be cracking and lifted and wet before you continue. It should be easy to scrape the polish right away. Leaving each finger covered means the polish on your other nails won’t evaporate and dry up while you’re working on each nail. If should scrape off easily with a flat utensil (like the back of your tweezers - you can also get a set of nail tweezers with a little silicone cap on the back especially made for this for about a dollar or less on Temu or Aliexpress) If it doesn’t all come off, no worries, just reapply the soaked cotton balls for a little while longer. Really hope this helps!!

[@hails_m88]

Same here!!!!

[@Themorrigan23]

The thing that change my gel nails is you cap the edge with base coat AND top coat so it seals the gel on all sides

[@elizamaria3008]

​@@-Reagan thank you. You're an angel!

[@marya7671]

can i use dehydrator instead of 90% acetone?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

if that is what your system recommends.

[@gigia3186]

Can I use acetone instead of 90% alcohol to wipe the gel nails afterwards?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Sometimes depending on your room temp, acetone May dehydrates and cool the nail a bit too fast causing a condensation layer to happen on the nail. This little bit of moisture can then lead to lifting. It should be fine, but I avoid exposure of acetone on the natural nails as much as possible.

[@gigia3186]

@@PaolaPonceNails thanks, Paola!

[@dalilamendoza44]

I've never done gel nails. Is the nail color completely dry after curing?

[@katiebell8872]

Yes

[@auntiediddy]

Where are the tweezers from

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Type in tuesdaynail.art

[@stephanycornejo7589]

I do all these steps and still get chipping :(((

[@nathaliecabrera8859]

Ok I need help! No matter what I do.. my layers whether it be gel top, base, builder gel, polish… doesn’t cure. It always wipes off and dries uneven. I’ve tried 30 sec, 1 min and even 2 mins between layers and nothing. It’s never shiny!!! Just seems to smudge around no matter what I do. I’ve tried even super thin layers and I’m super frustrated at this point. It just stopped working all of a sudden

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Be really careful at this point since you are exposing yourself to uncured gel, and this can cause allergic reaction if you continue to work with it uncured. What brand are you using?

[@nathaliecabrera8859]

@@PaolaPonceNails thank you for your response. I’m using Aimeili base and top coat with modelones builder gel. Is it possible that the top and base coat are expired maybe? I’ve only had them for about 2 years. The builder gel is brand new. I’ve even tried 2 different lamps and at this point I don’t even know anymore

[@sophia-marieyoung6773]

​@@nathaliecabrera8859What quality are the two lamps? There are a lot of lamps that will not cure, no matter what. Especially if you are mixing branda.

[@popaki9484]

I need your help Paola!!! I bought nailthoughts base and my nails are soft and can bend. The tips are not sticking well and keep peeling off. No problem at the base just the corners and tips. I nail prep well with acetone and YN protein bond and still have this problem. Could it be my 48watt led/uv lamp isn’t good enough? Or do I need to try a different product from kokoist? Not sure who to ask these questions to so I’m hoping you can help me as I spent a lot already on purchasing these gels. Thank you!!!

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Hi Kali, I’ve never recommended nails be prepped this way. Sounds like your nails have become brittle and do not hold product well because of this.

[@PaolaPonceNails]

This video may help… 5 Common Mistakes Beginners Make With Gel On Natural Nails kzbin.info/www/bejne/eavUe4eAerukhM0

[@popaki9484]

@@PaolaPonceNails yes you are correct they are brittle. I use kokoist top coat and nail thoughts base. I tried it on top of my nail no acetone or protein bond and they peeled more then. Only thing I did was buff shine off. I’m at a loss and would really appreciate some guidance. Do I need to use kokoist mega stick base (is bottle better than the pot?)? How do I correct the brittleness moving forward? Thank you so much for your support and guidance.

[@denagustafson6070]

New subscriber here. When I noticed that the content creator responded to a request for assistance, I was completely blown away! That level of support is very unusual on KZbin and I’m impressed!

[@catenjeri1181]

Plzz help

[@Yumfoodq]

Can I use 96% alcohol? Instead of 90%?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

It will be fine for the nail plate, it may dehydrate your brushes bristles however.

[@bargainbeauty7529]

I didn't know 70% alcohol had water in it.

[@RAJOHN-ke7mc]

70% alcohol and 30% water

[@mkb5984]

... what you think the other 30% was.?