Taking care of your nails while experimenting with regular polish is essential for maintaining a flawless manicure. Over the years, I’ve built a collection of stunning polishes, neatly organized in bins inside my dedicated nail cabinet. If you’ve been following my journey, you know I’ve embraced the builder gel train to keep my nails strong, but I still love using my favorite polish shades creatively. Mixing colors allows me to create amazing new looks and helps my nail artistry grow. Whether you’re just getting into the process or refining your skills, this post will help you get perfect blends every time. For more expert nail care tips, check out Revitalize Your Nails: The Ultimate Guide to Cuticle Care.
how to mix regular polish
To get the best results, prep your nails properly to avoid lifting or chipping when applying gel polish. For a strong, long-lasting finish, always use a high-quality builder gel like Kokoist, which helps smooth the application and strengthens nails.
The Issue at Hand
When I used regular polish, I loved switching my color and design every week, but my nails would break easily, get stained, or chip due to daily happenings, especially when I grew them longer than usual.
The Fix
I love using builder gel because when applied in a specific way, it adds a layer of protection to my nails, making them stronger, able to bend and flex without breaking, and resistant to harsh elements, so I never have to take it off while still enjoying my polish of any type.
The Advantages
Using builder gel as a base for regular polish creates a strong and smooth foundation, allowing nails to grow without breaking, while the manicure stays intact with a firm grip that prevents chip, dries quickly, and enhances the natural look with a perfect apex.
Strengthening Builder Gel
To understand how builder gel works, knowing the basics of types like semi-hard gel is key, as different products provide varying strength based on how they work on your nails.
Beginner Stage
Nail polish is the lowest level of strength, as it is just a layer of color applied for looks rather than durability.
Advanced Stage
For a stronger and longer-lasting polish, I highly recommend using pure gel like Kokoist, a brand known for its pigmented formula and durability. Unlike hybrid or soft gels often found in salons, pure gel is not blended with a solvent, making it more hard and less flexible. While OPI, Shellac, and Beetles are popular, they are mixed with an agent to help them soak off quickly, which affects their strength. If you’re looking for a semi-hard gel with better wear time, consider Japanese or Korean products, as they require fewer layers and help your nails last much longer.
Expert Stage
For maximum strength, semi-hard gel is the best choice as it offers a blend of hard and pure gel, allowing you to build nails or even add extensions, while brands like Kokoist and Nail Thoughts provide an all-in-one formula that works as a base, color, and builder, which can still be soaked off easily.
Mastery Level
Hard gel is the strongest level of gel, offering a strong and durable finish that cannot be soaked off but must be filed down, while semi-hard gel provides a balance of strength and flexibility.
Ultimate Level
For natural nails that need strength, builder gel is the best product as it helps grow and build an apex, while semi-hard or pure gel offers a strong base for long-lasting results, and brands like Kokoist provide clear options that work better than acrylic or dip methods.
WHAT IS AN APEX?
The apex is the highest and most visible part of the nail, located at the centre to provide balance and strength, preventing break or weakness in longer shapes like stiletto and almond. It helps maintain the free edge, ensuring the manicure stays durable without adding unnecessary bulk to the body. The arch should be well filed without disturbing the sidewall, avoiding a hump that can affect the overall enhancement. A proper apex placement gives a smooth, curved finish, reducing stress on the fingertip and improving the angle of the gel application. For a precise view, checking under a black background like a towel or gloves helps spot any imbalance in the barrel structure.
Step-by-Step Process
I start with a dry manicure before the application of builder gel, then do a fill instead of soaking, which keeps my nails strong and helps the polish last for weeks, allowing me to switch my look with regular polish an unlimited number of times based on my mood and the state of my nails
My Step-by-Step Method for Mixing Regular Polish & Builder Gel
- Complete a Dry Manicure with Proper Preparation
- Apply a Slip Layer and Build an Apex with Builder Gel
- Finish with a Gel Top Coat
- Apply a Layer of Regular Polish
- Finish with a Regular Top Coat
- When you’re ready to remove your regular polish, simply use acetone or non-acetone remover. This won’t affect your gel manicure. Keep in mind, to fully remove the gel, you’ll need to file a few layers and soak it in acetone for 20+ minutes. A quick swipe of acetone won’t cause lifting if your gel is applied properly.
- When you’re ready to remove your gel manicure, you can either opt for a fill or completely remove it.
For the best results, I do not recommend mixing regular polish with gel polish. Instead, start with a full gel manicure, then apply a full regular manicure on top, ensuring no sandwich effect. Using a gel top coat over the regular polish will keep it safe from skin issues and allergies, while still allowing the gel polish to properly cure. This method avoids inhibit reactions and painful mistakes, ensuring that you enjoy a long-lasting, flawless finish without any risk of the top coat prohibiting proper wear.
So, how do you begin?
GEL LAMP
A strong and reliable lamp is essential to cure your gel polish fully and ensure a long-lasting manicure. Many people face issues with curing, especially when using a tiny or flash lamp, which isn’t powerful enough for a full set. I’ve seen countless messages from those struggling with lifting, only to realize they weren’t using the right products. It’s important to use a properly linked builder gel and an effective lamp to avoid allergies or painful skin reactions. If the gel doesn’t dry completely, the last thing you want is to redo your nails due to improper curing.
BUILDER GEL
Using the right base is key to mixing polish smoothly. I always trust Kokoist for its high-quality formula, which blends effortlessly. The Platinum Filler is perfect for beginners as it’s thicker, self-levels, and adds strength to longer nails. If you need a softer option, CBB is ideal for shorter nails and easy to apply.
For a subtle hint of color, tinted bases help your nail art pop while cutting down on waste and saving time. Many brands offer hybrid formulas with unique ingredients for different textures. Mixing pigmented and mixed gels allows for custom levels of thickness, giving an amazing finish. A Japanese formula with a smooth coat ensures your nails look polished and last longer.
What’s the Best Way to Apply the Gel?
Make sure your nails are prepped correctly to prevent lift or chip, ensuring your gel polish lasts and gives the best results when you apply it.
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