Easy Gel Polish: The Beginners' Guide

Dreaming of flawless nails that last for weeks? You're in the right place! Discover how to apply gel polish and the best products for every step. We’ll guide you from nail prep and colour application to the final top coat and removal. You'll find everything you need right here—professional results guaranteed!

1 - Preparation

Step 1 - Clean the nails: remove any traces of previous products. Starting with a clean, dry nail is key to getting the best results from every step that follows.

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Fresh & Pure 150 ml - Purifying spray for nails, hands and working tools
£5.99
Pads Lint Free 500 pcs - Pads Lint Free - 500 pcs Pads Lint Free 500 pcs - detail 1
£7.99
Nail Foam Hygienic Cleansing Mousse 200 ml - Hygienic Cleansing Mousse for Hands, Nails and Cuticles. No-Rinse Formula
Bestseller
£17.99
Nail Brush - Nail Brush Nail Brush - detail 1
£2.20

Step 2 - Cuticle care: using the appropriate tools, gently push the cuticles towards the base of the nail and gently lift them.

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Steel Cuticle Pusher with Loop Staleks - Stainless steel cuticle pusher with loop - Expert 51/2 Steel Cuticle Pusher with Loop Staleks - detail 2
£9.99
Cuticle Pusher - Cuticle Pusher Cuticle Pusher - detail 2
£4.50

Step 3 - Cuticle trimming: carefully remove any excess cuticles, being careful not to cut too close to avoid small cuts and infections.

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Cuticle Scissors 18 mm Exclusive 20 Magnolia Staleks - Professional cuticle scissors 20/1 Exclusive line, Magnolia Decoration Cuticle Scissors 18 mm Exclusive 20 Magnolia Staleks - detail 1
£22.55
Cuticle Scissors 18 mm Staleks Expert 50 - Cuticle Scissors 18 mm Expert 50 Staleks Cuticle Scissors 18 mm Staleks Expert 50 - detail 1
£16.99
Cuticle Scissors 21 mm Expert 50 Staleks - Professional Cuticle Scissors 50/2 Expert Line Cuticle Scissors 21 mm Expert 50 Staleks - detail 1
£16.99
Micro Scissors - Staleks - Precision scissors for nail forms Micro Scissors - Staleks - detail 1
£21.99 £19.79 -10%

Step 4 - Filing: gently buff the nail surface, filing the free edge to your preferred shape.

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Preparation file zebra Premium 180/240 - Preparation File Zebra Premium 180/240 Preparation file zebra Premium 180/240 - detail 1
£1.49
Preparation File Zebra Premium 180/240 50 pcs - 50 Preparation File Zebra Premium 180/240 Preparation File Zebra Premium 180/240 50 pcs - detail 1
£74.50

Step 5 - Brushing: remove any filing dust and finish with a sanitising spray to leave nails perfectly clean and ready for application.

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Nail Brush - Nail Brush Nail Brush - detail 1
£2.20
Nail Foam Hygienic Cleansing Mousse 200 ml - Hygienic Cleansing Mousse for Hands, Nails and Cuticles. No-Rinse Formula
Bestseller
£17.99
Fresh & Pure 150 ml - Purifying spray for nails, hands and working tools
£5.99

2 - Base

Step 1 - Apply Nail Protector, a preventive treatment that helps keep nails healthy and prevents imperfections such as fungal infections. Always use it before any primers.

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Nail Protector 15 ml - Preventive Solution for Nail Imperfections (such as Fungal Infections)
£5.99

Step 2 - Apply Nail Prep to dehydrate the nail surface and maximise gel polish base adhesion.

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Nail Prep 15 ml - Nail dehydrator liquid
Bestseller
£6.99

Step 3 - Apply the binder to help the gel polish bond to the nail. Leave to air-dry for a few seconds.

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Binder 10 ml - Acid Free Primer - Acid-Free Adhesion Promoter for Nails
Bestseller
£6.99

Step 4 - Choose your base and apply a thin layer over the entire nail, keeping away from the skin and cuticles.

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Base/Top 15 ml - 2-in-1  Gel Polish Base and Top Coat Base/Top 15 ml - detail 2
Bestseller
£12.99
HD Base Babyboomer 15 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Light Milky Pink 15 ml HD Base Babyboomer 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
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HD Base Babyboomer 50 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Light Milky Pink 50 ml HD Base Babyboomer 50 ml - detail 1
Bestseller
£25.99
HD White Fiber Base 15ml - Gel Polish Base Milky White 15 ml HD White Fiber Base 15ml - detail 1
Bestseller
£12.99
HD White Fiber Base 50 ml - Gel Polish Base Milky White 50 ml HD White Fiber Base 50 ml - detail 1
new
£25.99
HD Fiber Base Crystal Rose 15 ml - Gel Polish Base Clear 15 ml HD Fiber Base Crystal Rose 15 ml - detail 1
Bestseller
£12.99
HD Fiber Base Crystal Rose 50 ml - Gel Polish Base Clear 50 ml HD Fiber Base Crystal Rose 50 ml - detail 1
Bestseller
£25.99
HD Fiber Base Baby Pink 15 ml - Gel Polish Base Light Milky Pink 15 ml HD Fiber Base Baby Pink 15 ml - detail 2
Bestseller
£12.99
HD Fiber Base Baby Pink 50 ml - Gel Polish Base Light Milky Pink 50 ml HD Fiber Base Baby Pink 50 ml - detail 1
Bestseller
£25.99
HD Base Gold Glitter 15 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Pink with Gold Micro-Glitter HD Base Gold Glitter 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
HD Base Diamond Glitter 15 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Pink with Silver Micro-Glitter HD Base Diamond Glitter 15 ml - detail 2
£12.99
HD Base Soft Pink 15 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Pink HD Base Soft Pink 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
HD Fiber Base Rose 15 ml - Gel Polish Base Powder Pink HD Fiber Base Rose 15 ml - detail 1
Bestseller
£12.99
HD Fiber Base Soft Nude 15 ml - Gel Polish Base Vintage Rose 15 ml HD Fiber Base Soft Nude 15 ml - detail 1
Bestseller
£12.99
HD Fiber Base Soft Nude 50 ml - Gel Polish Base Light antique rose 50 ml HD Fiber Base Soft Nude 50 ml - detail 1
Bestseller
£25.99
HD Base 15ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Clear 15 ml HD Base 15ml - detail 1
Bestseller
£12.99
HD Pastel Lilac Base - Gel Polish Rubber Base Pastel light lilac
£12.99 £8.99 -31%
HD Base Pastel Pink 15 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Pastel pink HD Base Pastel Pink 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
HD Base 50 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Clear 50 ml
£25.99
HD Fiber Base Sparkling Ivory 15 ml - Gel Polish Base Ivory with Micro-Glitter HD Fiber Base Sparkling Ivory 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
HD Base Bloomrose 15 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Light pink HD Base Bloomrose 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
HD Base Rosy 15 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Light Vintage Pink
£12.99
HD Base Pink 15 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Dark Pink HD Base Pink 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
HD Base Pinky Lilac 15 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Lilac HD Base Pinky Lilac 15 ml - detail 2
new
£12.99
HD Base Natural 15 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Nude 15 ml HD Base Natural 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
HD Base Natural 50 ml - Gel Polish Rubber Base Nude 50 ml
£25.99
HD Fiber Base Kit - Gel polish base kit HD Fiber Base Kit - detail 2
new
£59.99

Step 5 - Cure: using a lamp with at least 30 diodes, cure the base following the technical specifications indicated on the product page. After curing, you may notice a sticky layer appearing (known as the dispersion layer). That's completely normal: it will help the colour bond in the next step!

3 - Colour

Step 1 - Pick your favourite gel polish shade

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Gel Nail Polish GP43 Naked  - Nude effect Gel Polish Gel Nail Polish GP43 Naked  - detail 1
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish SP768 Rose Mist - Cool nude pink Gel Nail Polish SP768 Rose Mist - detail 1
new
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish SP656 Velvet Rose - Pink Nude Beige Gel Polish Gel Nail Polish SP656 Velvet Rose - detail 1
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish SP738 Shiny Pink - Glittery nude pink gel polish Gel Nail Polish SP738 Shiny Pink - detail 1
£7.99
Gel Nail Polish SP599 Doll Blush - Peachy Nude Pink Gel Polish Gel Nail Polish SP599 Doll Blush - detail 1
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish SP598 Porcelain - Nude Rosy Beige Gel Polish Gel Nail Polish SP598 Porcelain - detail 1
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish GP179 Moda - Light Antique Pink and Beige Gel Polish
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish SP739 Silky Nude - Cool nude gel polish Gel Nail Polish SP739 Silky Nude - detail 2
£7.99
Gel Nail Polish SP589 Classic Taupe - Light Taupe Gel Polish Gel Nail Polish SP589 Classic Taupe - detail 2
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish SP777 Glitter Beige - Milky beige gel polish with gold and multicolour micro-glitter
new
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish SP741 Ivory Cat’s Eyes - Ivory cat’s eye gel polish Gel Nail Polish SP741 Ivory Cat’s Eyes - detail 2
£12.99
Gel Polish SP501 Enigma - Glitter Golden Sand Gel Polishwith reflective effect Gel Polish SP501 Enigma - detail 1
£13.99
Gel Nail Polish SP595 Warm Nude - Warm Pink Beige Gel Polish Gel Nail Polish SP595 Warm Nude - detail 2
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish GP223 Soft Brown Cat's Eyes  - Hazelnut and Peach Gel Polish
£13.99
Gel Nail Polish GP42 Vanilla  - Light Beige Gel Polish Gel Nail Polish GP42 Vanilla  - detail 1
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish SP596 Soft Almond - Rosy Beige Gel Polish Gel Nail Polish SP596 Soft Almond - detail 1
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish GP158 J Adore - Antique Pink Gel Polish with micro glitter Gel Nail Polish GP158 J Adore - detail 1
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish SP660 Milky Soft Vanilla - Milky Vanilla Beige Gel Polish Gel Nail Polish SP660 Milky Soft Vanilla - detail 1
£8.99
Gel Nail Polish SP740 Creamy Beige - Beige gel polish Gel Nail Polish SP740 Creamy Beige - detail 2
£7.99
Gel Nail Polish SP662 Milky Soft Rose Nude - Milky Nude Pink Gel Polish Gel Nail Polish SP662 Milky Soft Rose Nude - detail 2
£8.99
Colour Selection

Step 2 - Apply a thin layer of product and cure with the lamp following the technical specifications indicated on the product page.

Step 3 - For fuller coverage, apply a second thin coat and cure again with the lamp.

4 - Top coat

Step 1 - Pick your favourite top coat

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Base/Top 15 ml - 2-in-1  Gel Polish Base and Top Coat Base/Top 15 ml - detail 2
Bestseller
£12.99
Silk Top 15 ml - No-wipe matte top coat Silk Top 15 ml - detail 2
£12.99
Galaxy Gloss 15 ml - No-wipe glitter top coat Galaxy Gloss 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
Master Gloss 15 ml - Extra-glossy no-wipe top coat Master Gloss 15 ml - detail 1
Bestseller
£12.99
HD Fiber Base Sparkling Ivory 15 ml - Gel Polish Base Ivory with Micro-Glitter HD Fiber Base Sparkling Ivory 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
Rose Master Gloss 15 ml - No-wipe milky top coat Rose Master Gloss 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
Master Matte 15 ml - No-wipe matte top coat Master Matte 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
Master Gloss High Viscosity 15 ml - No-wipe extra glossy top coat Master Gloss High Viscosity 15 ml - detail 1
Bestseller
£12.99
Matte Top 15 ml - No-wipe matte top coat Matte Top 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99
Finish Cover Nude 15 ml - No-wipe milky top coat Finish Cover Nude 15 ml - detail 1
£12.99

Step 2 - Apply the top coat in an even layer

Step 3 - Cure following the specifications indicated on the product page. If you've chosen a product with dispersion, remember to use the Cleaner to remove the sticky layer (the dispersion layer that appears after curing).

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Cleaner 150 ml - Professional Nail Degreaser Cleaner
Bestseller
£3.99
Pads Lint Free 500 pcs - Pads Lint Free - 500 pcs Pads Lint Free 500 pcs - detail 1
£7.99

How to Remove Your Manicure?

Use the buffer to lightly roughen the nail surface so the remover can penetrate effectively.

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White Buffer - White Buffer White Buffer - detail 1
£0.59
White Buffer 10pcs - 10 White Buffer White Buffer 10pcs - detail 1
£5.90

Step 2 - Pour a generous amount of remover onto a pad and place it on the nail, then secure it with the Remover Clips.

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Pads Lint Free 500 pcs - Pads Lint Free - 500 pcs Pads Lint Free 500 pcs - detail 1
£7.99
Soak-Off Remover Clips - Pink - Soak-Off Remover Clips - Pink
£4.99

Step 3 - Leave for around ten minutes until the product has fully softened.

Step 4 - Gently scrape away any remaining residue using a Pusher or Cuticle Pusher.

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Steel Cuticle Pusher with Loop Staleks - Stainless steel cuticle pusher with loop - Expert 51/2 Steel Cuticle Pusher with Loop Staleks - detail 2
£9.99
Cuticle Pusher - Cuticle Pusher Cuticle Pusher - detail 2
£4.50
Orangewood Sticks 10 pcs - Orangewood Sticks - 10pcs
£0.99
Orangewood Sticks XL - 50 pcs - Orangewood Sticks, 50 Pcs Orangewood Sticks XL - 50 pcs - detail 1
£3.49

Everything you need for your nail routine

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