Gel Polish: Common Mistakes

Gel polish? Easy? 2021-me would have laughed.

Before I even launched my business, I was met with a formidable obstacle: gel polish. I tried (and failed) the application so many times that I almost swore it off for good. Then, one sticky marble mani later...

24pc XS Short Square Marble Gold Foil (RTS)

Once I dove headfirst into the wonderful world of press-on nails, I was knee-deep in blogs and YouTube tutorials. Every nail tech seemed to be singing the praises of gel polish, raving about how it was the holy grail of long-lasting, chip-proof manis. For me? I was skeptical. Gel polish and I had a rocky history and my journey wasn’t paved with glitter and rhinestones. Every attempt I made at a trendy marble design or a chic French tip ended in a sticky, gooey mess that left me fuming and reaching for the remover. So much for the "easy" nail art everyone was talking about!

My first encounter with gel polish was, to put it mildly, disastrous.

I had poured my heart and soul into a meticulously painted, intricate marble design with accent nails. I was so proud of myself! Then came the moment of truth: curing time under my trusty (but not-so-trusty) UV lamp. I set the timer for 60 seconds yet the "cured" polish remained stubbornly tacky.

It was getting late, and my frustration levels were reaching critical mass. So, I did what any sensible person would do in that situation: I shoved the press-ons into a drawer, muttered a few choice words under my breath, and crawled into bed with the vague hope that maybe, just maybe, the gel gods would take pity on me in the morning.

“That’s tomorrow’s problem”.

Sunrise, coffee brewing, outfit on point - ready to conquer work! Except for one tiny (but oh-so-annoying) detail: my press-ons. Painted hours ago, they should be dry as a martini, but instead, they were sticky.

I thought to myself,

"How the hell am I gonna manage this every time I get an order? Surely it does not take 10+ hours to completely dry? How are all those YouTube tutorials drying instantly?”

Because of my constant irritation, my first two orders were painted with lacquer polish and life was great; no peeling, no weird tacky layers… but I had a whole gel polish collection and knew I’d have to find a solution whether I’d like to or not.

I used to be that impatient amateur who glopped on layers of gel, only to watch them peel off in sad little flakes. It was enough to make me want to ditch press-ons altogether.

My revelation: thin is the new thick.

Here’s how to conquer my errors and have that seamless gel polish application we all deserve but first things first, let's diagnose the stickiness:

Incomplete drying

This is the most common culprit. While the surface might appear dry, the deeper layers can still be tacky. This can happen if the polish was applied too thickly, not given enough drying time, or exposed to cold temperatures while drying.

Thick layers

Applying too much polish in one go can trap moisture and prevent it from drying properly. Aim for thin, even coats.

Improper base coat

Some base coats can react with certain polishes, causing a tacky residue.

Top coat issue

Some top coats, particularly "no-wipe" formulas, can leave a tacky layer for easier removal later.

Now, how to fix it:

Gently buff the nails

Use a very fine buffer (think 400 grit or higher) to buff away the tacky layer. Be light-handed to avoid damaging the polish and you can continue from there.

Apply a quick-drying top coat

This will lock in the polish and eliminate the tackiness.

Use rubbing alcohol/alcohol pads

Soak a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol and gently wipe the nails. This will remove any surface oils that might be preventing the polish from drying completely.

Prevention is always better than cure. To avoid sticky surprises in the future, you can try these tips:

Shake it up

Give your nail polish bottle a good shake before each use to ensure the formula is evenly mixed.

Thin it out

If your polish is too thick, add a few drops of nail polish thinner to make it easier to apply and help it dry faster.

Apply thinly, layer evenly

It doesn’t have to be too opaque when you’re layering. Just ensure it’s an appropriate amount of gel polish because if it’s laid on too thick, it will harden in specific parts and get clumpy. Thin layers dry faster and are less likely to be tacky.

Avoid the edges

Don't paint too close to the edges as this can prevent the polish from drying properly. Instead, allow the gel polish to move toward the edge on its own. With the polish brush, wipe off any excess polish back into the bottle before thinly spreading your painted press-on out, away from the tip's edges.

Swipe alcohol/alcohol pads between each layer

Voilà – goodbye, tacky layer.

Lint-free wipes

Avoid using normal tissues or cotton balls/pads with your rubbing alcohol (if you don't have alcohol pads, to begin with) because it WILL stick on your newly painted tips and is a pain to remove (if you’re lucky enough to even remove them). Use lint-free wipes to avoid those tiny loose strands of cotton!

Apply a base coat

A good base coat helps the polish adhere better and prevents chipping.

Finish with a top coat

A top coat not only protects the polish but also creates a smooth, non-sticky finish.

Buy a quality UV lamp

The gel polish process has never been easier! I could use my cheap UV lamp and put it on for 120 seconds for it to not do its job. I purchased mine by supporting another Press On Business and the fact that they were having a store-wide sale was perfect timing.

Patience.

It truly is a virtue. Let each layer dry completely before applying the next, and your nails will be chip- and stickiness-free in no time.

These solutions may seem like they’re common sense but if I had found a blog post written as in-depth as this was, things would have run much more smoothly at the beginning of my Press On journey.