A beautiful gel manicure is 90% preparation, 10% application. Follow these Lavender Violets instructions and you will achieve a glossy, chip-resistant finish that lasts 21 to 28 days. Suitable for complete beginners and experienced polish enthusiasts alike.
Before you begin, gather everything within reach. Nothing disrupts a manicure like searching for a missing bottle halfway through curing. Our starter kits already include almost everything on this list in one box, which makes set-up effortless.
The Lavender Violets gel application routine. Each stage is designed to be beginner-friendly and repeatable every fortnight.
File your natural nails into your preferred shape — square, almond or soft oval. Push back cuticles gently with a wooden stick (never cut them). Lightly buff the entire nail plate until the shine is removed; this creates micro-texture for the base coat to grip.
Wipe every nail thoroughly with a lint-free pad soaked in cleanser. This step removes dust, oils and residues that cause lifting. Do not touch the nail surface with your fingers after cleansing.
Apply a thin, even layer of Lavender Violets base coat. Cap the free edge by brushing polish across the tip of the nail. Cure for 30 seconds in an LED lamp or 60 seconds in a UV lamp.
Shake the bottle well. Apply a thin colour coat from cuticle to tip, keeping away from the skin. Cap the free edge again. Cure for 30 seconds (LED) or 60 seconds (UV). Don't worry if the colour looks streaky; the second coat will perfect it.
Apply a second thin coat to build depth and even the finish. Cap the free edge. Cure as before. For darker shades like aubergine and plum, a third sheer coat can boost saturation — just keep every layer thin.
Apply your Lavender Violets glossy or matte top coat, capping the free edge with extra care. Cure for 60 seconds. Our non-wipe top coats deliver a mirror shine straight out of the lamp.
If you used a wipe-off top coat, gently clean the tacky residue with cleanser. Massage cuticle oil into the skin around each nail and leave it to absorb for a minute. Cuticle oil keeps the surrounding skin supple and prevents lifting — apply it daily for the best long-term wear.
Never peel gel polish off. Peeling lifts layers of the natural nail with it, leaving the plate paper-thin. Our recommended removal method is gentle, reliable and salon-approved.
Always cap the free edge on every coat. This seals each layer and prevents lifting where the nail meets the air.
The layer was too thick or the lamp's wattage was too low. Apply two thin coats and check your lamp specification on the UV nail lamp page.
Shake the bottle gently by rolling it between your palms — never shake vigorously. Vigorous shaking introduces air that shows in the cured finish.
With a wipe-off top coat this is normal — wipe with cleanser. With a no-wipe top coat, give the nails an extra 30 seconds under the lamp.
Gel manicures can live happily on natural nails when they are looked after. A few minutes of daily care noticeably extends wear and keeps the surrounding skin soft.
Explore our full HEMA-free range for sensitive-skin formulas, or discover dip powder for a lamp-free alternative.
