Back to School: Tips & Tricks

Madam Glam's Academy

As you already saw on our Youtube Channel and Instagram account, we launched a fresh new collection of soak-off gel polishes that are perfect for Fall and for that glamorous comeback to school! 

Together with the new arrivals, we also prepared some new tutorials on how to get the perfect gel manicure at home, like a PRO! From creative designs, to basic applications and removal process, you will find all the content at the Madam Glam Academy.

So fear not! We’re on hand with a whole load of DIY manicure tips and tricks that require minimal effort and will leave you with long-lasting manicures every time!

Stick to the Glam System 

Make sure that you use the same brand’s primer, base, color and top coat. If you mix and match products, you can face a few issues, including product chipping or lifting and difficult removal, which can cause damage to the nail. 

Prep, prep, prep! 

If you already have gel polish on, first properly remove the gel polish. We recommend you our Gel Polish Remover! When you’re done, cut your nails to desired length, file them to desired shape, push back cuticles, etc. 

Buff the shine off each nail using a file or buffer. If you just removed a gel polish manicure, simply buff the new growth instead of the whole nail.  

Final step: Cleanse. Use alcohol and a free wipe to clean the nail of any debris. You especially need to remove any extra nail residue that was buffed. If any debris is left under the gel polish, it will cause lifting and your gel polish manicure will not last as long.  

P.S: Avoid water, oils or lotion prior to the gel application, this way you’ll make sure you’ll have a long-lasting gel manicure.  

Base Coat & Cure 

Apply on your nails a Base Coat Gel polish. If you are new to gel polish, you should know that the base coat is not optional. You need it so the gel polish will properly adhere to your nail. Paint the entire nail with the base coat. Get as close to the cuticle and nail edges as you can, but do NOT touch the cuticle or nail edge. At the end, cap the free edge of your nail. Cure for 30 seconds in an LED lamp or for 1 minute in a UV lamp. 

Color & Cure  

Will you show up with nude nails? Glitter polish? A holographic manicure? We suggest starting the school year off on the right foot and giving yourself some Instagram-worthy nail art. 

Paint your nails with your favorite gel polish color. Check out our gel colors for more inspiration and ideas. Paint the nail just like the base coat and avoid cuticles and nail edges. Cap the free edge by painting the tip of the nail with the gel polish. Cure for 30 seconds in an LED lamp or for 2 minutes in a UV lamp.  

Most colors need two or three coats. For the second and third coats, simply repeat the process for including the curing. If you do get any gel polish on your skin or cuticle, make sure to remove it BEFORE curing. Otherwise it is very difficult to remove!  

Top Coat & Cure

Apply on your freshly colored nails our Top Coat Gel. Paint it just like the base coat and color and remember to avoid cuticle and nail edge and cap the free edge with the top coat. Cure for 30 seconds in an LED lamp or for 2 minutes in a UV lamp. 

Wipe off the Tacky Layer

After curing, your nails will feel tacky to the touch. Don’t worry, they are dry, it’s just that the gel polish has a tacky layer when it’s done curing. Use a wipe with alcohol to wipe off the tacky layer on top of the gel polish. Don’t be afraid to wipe the nail, it’s dry!  

Cuticle Oil

If you used the gel remover or acetone to remove a previous gel polish manicure, then your cuticles are probably pretty dried out. Apply a cuticle oil, like our Elixir version!  

P.S: Wait at least 1 minute after wiping off the tacky layer before adding the cuticle oil. If you apply the Elixir immediately after wiping the tacky layer, it can make the shine on the top coat dull. 

Fabulous nails are a necessity when returning to class this Fall. Instead of the same manicure and polish, try some clever back to school nail art designs that will give you an A+ in style and move you to the head of the class! 

💅 Academy Collection

https://www.madamglam.com/collections/academy-collection

For more glam, everyday inspiration    

💅 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madam_glam/        

💅 Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/madamglamofficial