Soft Gel Tip Application Guide

This blog is designed to mastering the art of soft gel nail application, from prepping your nails to achieving a flawless finish. Whether you are a professional nail technician seeking to perfect your technique or a nail enthusiast looking to recreate salon-like results at home, this guide is for you.

Soft Gel Tips - Prep & Application Guide

1. Prepare the nail. Push back overgrown cuticles and remove as needed using a cuticle pusher. Use cuticle nippers to trim off excess.
   
   
2. Gently remove the shine from the natural nail by using a fine nail file or buffer block.
   
   
3. Select the size for the Soft Gel tip that best fits the nail. Make sure the tip covers the entire nail bed from side to side. If you are in-between sizes, choose a larger size and file down to make the soft gel tip fit perfectly. **Pro-Tip - file cuticle edge as needed to reduce gaps between the Soft Gel tip and the cuticle line.
   
   
4. Clean any dust off the nail surface. Apply Dehydrator followed by Primer.
   
   
5. Doing one hand at a time, apply a thin coat of Soft Gel Adhesive (or a builder gel / dual builder gel) to the natural nail and cure for 30 seconds under an LED lamp (60 seconds under UV lamp)
   
   
6. On the inside of the soft gel tip, apply a thin layer of Soft Gel Adhesive (or a builder gel / dual builder gel) to the length of the natural nail. No filing needed.
   
   
7. Place the soft gel tip on the natural nail, lightly press down the tip at a 45° angle, starting from the cuticle, and pushing down towards the free edge of the fingertip (this helps to push out any air bubbles between the natural nail and the soft gel tip). If you find it does not have enough product, remove the tip and add more. If there is too much product or air bubbles, wipe off the excess before moving on to step 8.
   
   
8. Keep applying pressure and flash cure under an LED lamp for 15 seconds (45 seconds under UV lamp)
   **Pro Tip** – Do not cover the gel adhesive while curing. If not easy, adjust your position part way and cure any covered areas.
   
   
9. If necessary, remove any excess Soft Gel Adhesive (or a builder gel / dual builder gel) on the soft gel tip with a file.
   
   
10. Once all the nails are done, cure for a full 30 seconds under an LED lamp (2 minutes if under a UV lamp)
    
    
11. Buff the entire nail using a fine file or buffing block. Dust off and clean the Soft Gel Tip.
    
    
12. Apply your favorite Nail Lacquer or Gel Polish. Cure as needed and finish with a Glossy Top Coat