TIGER LILLIES

The rich orange glitter and the little spots put me in mind of tiger lillies. This set was done with the new LeChat Xtraseal gel, soon to be available from http://www.lechatnails.co.uk/

Step 1.

The previous gel is buffed down.

The nails are cleaned and prepared for application.

Step 2.

A thin coat of clear gel is applied and glitter is dabbed onto the wet gel using a brush lightly moistened with a little gel.

Cure for 2 minutes.

Step 3.

Forms are applied and pinched tightly together at the required length.

Step 4.

Clear sculpting gel is used to form the tip extension and black sequin dots are pressed into the gel before curing for 2 minutes.

Step 5.

Remove the forms and clip away any excess gel with nail clippers.

Wipe the nails and file the tip to an aproximate shape.

This will help acheive a better final shape when the next layer of gel is applied.

Step 6.

Apply more clear gel to seal the design and build the apex for strength.

Cure for 2 minutes.

Wipe away the sticky layer and file and buff to final shape.

Clean away all filing dust with LeChat gel cleanser spray.

Step 7.

Coat the nails with finishing gel and press in the black flower decorations.

Cure for 2 minutes.

Spray and wipe the nails and finish with LeChat cuticle oil.

STAR NAILS

I have been experimenting with the new range of Xtreme sculpting gels from LeChat.

The gels are easy to use because they are thick but still maintain self leveling qualities.

Step 1.

Nails are prepared and a coat of clear gel is applied.

Purple glitter is added to the tip area, dabbed into place with a brush lightly moistened with gel.

Cure 2 minutes.

Step 2.

Forms are fitted.

Step 3 .

Clear sculpting gel is added to the tip area to extend the length and silver stars are embedded into the gel before curing for 2 minutes.

Step 4.

Forms are removed and the tip shape is roughly formed with a file.

Step 5.

Gel is added to seal the design and build an apex.

Cure for 2 minutes.

STEP 7.

Wipe with LeChat gel cleanser and file the nails to the finished shape.

Apply gloss gel and cure for a final 2 minutes.

Wipe away the sticky layer and finish with cuticle oil.

MIXING YOUR OWN

Its very simple to make your own range of customised nail gel colours with the LeChat range of colour gels. All the gels are compatible with one another and a variety of effects can be acheived, but my particular favourites are combinations of LeChats soak off Nobility colour gels mixed with the pearl drops shade from the same range. This photo shows the colours I started with and then the resulting colour when mixed with aproximately equal amounts of pearl drops. Store your colour mixes in opaque jars.

NOBILITY SOAK OFF GEL COOUR CHART

numbers 31 to 60 are LECHAT NOBILITY SOAK OFF GEL

31 Pomagranate
32 Balerina pink
33 Pure white
34 Ocean view
35 Cream
36 Strawberry shortcake
37 Gala ball
38 Gold mine
39 Flamingo dream
40 Ruby ring
41 Tickled pink
42 Gallery red
43 Tangerine
44 Pearl drops
45 Ocean cruise
46 Regal red
47 Sweet truffle
48 Rose sorbet
49 Flying angels
50 Va va voom
51 Lemon brite
52 Lots of love
53 Iris blue
54 Frozen heat
55 Festival
56 Orange pumpkin
57 Tame leopard
58 Sassy pink
59 Savvy glitz
60 Spritzer