Fashionable shellac pedicure: 100 photo ideas for stylish design

Gel polish on the legs is performed using a primer, liquid base, flower bed and top. But first, the nails are prepared for the procedure - excess length is removed and shaped, the cuticle is pushed back and adhered skin particles are removed from the base of the plates.

Unlike manicure, leveling with a base is not performed; other products are also applied as thinly as possible. But any design can be made, including with rhinestones, sparkles, kamifubuki, drawings, and foil. In the salon, a pedicure costs from 700 rubles. up to 5000 rub.

Features of gel polish on legs

Gel polish on the legs is done and worn a little differently than a manicure:

nails cannot be long, they are cut and filed, if not to “zero”, then still quite short;
decor is used more modestly than for hands, since there is a higher chance that it will get in the way and come off faster;
leveling with a base is not done during pedicure;
over-wearing the coating is even more dangerous than with a manicure, especially during the season of closed shoes;
design can be varied;
Finger separators should be used when applying the coating, otherwise it may smear.

Material advantages

A pedicure with a polymerizing coating has several advantages:

the design can be made much more interesting than with regular varnish;
it lasts longer, maintaining pristine freshness;
it is not hampered by exposure to sea water or chlorine in the pool;
feet look well-groomed for 2-3 weeks without additional effort.

Gel polish application technology

Now we will present to you the sequence of applying gel polish during a foot pedicure, which will allow you to be satisfied with the beauty of your nails. So, we adhere to the following sequence:

For better adhesion of the varnish to the surface of the nail, polish the plate with a buff or file;
We degrease the nail with acetone or a special product, applying it to a cotton pad, wiping each nail thoroughly;
Applying primer or bondex. This step is at your discretion, it is needed in order to create a sticky coating and better adhere the base to the nail. Not all masters use this step;
Cover with base and dry in a lamp;
We apply a color coating. Usually it is applied in two layers, first the first is dried, and then the second is applied and dried again. If you want to somehow diversify your pedicure, then after you have applied the second layer, you can use any kind of decoration - rhinestones, confetti, sparkles, sequins;
We fix it with a top coat, which will add additional shine and also preserve the result for up to one month. We also dry it in a lamp for the last time;
Remove the sticky coating from the last layer with a degreaser.

As you can see, it’s quite easy to get the pedicure of your dreams at home; the main thing is to prepare everything you need in advance and strictly follow the application technique described above. There is no need to experiment with the order of application. The main thing is to take good care of it, as a result of which you can preserve its service life as much as possible. And if you want to add originality, then you can implement any pedicure design with gel polish, since the artificial coating remains sticky without the use of a lamp and does not dry out, that is, you can use it however you like to realize any fantasies using the latest techniques for painting on nails .

How to do a pedicure with gel polish

Pedicure with gel polish is performed in a certain sequence:

Treat feet with antiseptic.
Nails are prepared for coating.
Put on finger separators.
Wipe the nail plates and the skin around them with a degreaser.
Apply primer and let it air dry for a minute.
Use a thin layer of liquid base for each nail.
Dry it in a lamp, placing your foot there so that your toes are exposed to the radiation.
Remove the sticky layer, if any.
Apply gel polish of the selected shade, including coating the end parts with it.
Dry the layer of the flower bed in a lamp, remove the stickiness.
The finish is applied and polymerized.

Preparation for coating

The coating will lie flat and will look aesthetically pleasing only on prepared nails:

The cuticle is pushed back with a pusher.
The pterygium is thoroughly cleaned.
If the cuticle is wide, it is cut with special scissors or nippers or tweeters.
The nails need to be shaped, but so that the corners are not too cut and then grow ingrown.
The ends are processed with a file so that they become smooth, without burrs.
The plates are wiped with a degreaser to remove dust and excess moisture.

Watch the video on how to properly do a pedicure and treat your feet:

At the preparation stage, attention should also be paid to the feet, since neatly painted nails look discordant with rough, unkempt heels. They can be steamed in water or treated with a keratolytic agent. The softened skin is polished with a hardware attachment to remove excess stratum corneum.

How to do a pedicure at home with gel polish: treating fingers and nails

Thanks to the keratolytic, the pterygium softens perfectly; it can be easily removed using an orange stick or pusher.

How to do a pedicure at home with gel polish:

After you have treated the calluses and feet, you need to start treating your fingers. Before applying gel polish, it is necessary to remove the pterygium, as well as the cuticle. If you do not use acidic products, then you can remove and treat this area using a device.
For these purposes, you should use a regular cheap pen, which can be purchased on AliExpress . At the initial stage, using a ceramic cutter, the old material is removed down to a thin base substrate.
After this, the nails are processed to remove the pterygium. This manipulation is best done using a corundum truncated cone. The phrase is quite soft, but it perfectly allows you to remove cuticles stuck to the nail and lift it for further removal.
Indeed, in the area of the toenails there can be a huge amount of cuticle, rough, dry skin that needs to be removed. Once the pterygium has been removed using a corundum cone, work can begin in the sinuses and lateral ridges.

Stylish pedicure

How long does a pedicure with gel polish last, and how often is correction needed?

A pedicure coated with gel polish should be worn for no more than 2-3 weeks, although toenails grow more slowly than fingernails.

How safe is it for nails?

A nail pedicure is as safe as a manicure if certain conditions are met:

coat only healthy plates;
when preparing them, work carefully, do not press too hard with a cutter or hand tools, and do not go deep under the cuticle;
use high-quality products - varnishes, bases, tops, etc.;
sterilize instruments or buy disposable ones;
Do not wear tight shoes, and if you have problem feet and nails, leave the design with gel polish until summer.

There is another important nuance - when performing a pedicure, they do not use a base for leveling. Otherwise, there will be too much material on the nail plates, which will lead to damage. Masters often use single-phase gel polishes for pedicures so that the layer on the nails is thinner. You should also not overload them with an abundance of other components - powder, gels, tops.

It is better to attach voluminous decor (rhinestones, modeling) closer to the base rather than to the ends. Otherwise it will quickly fall off. In the meantime, it will be worn and may cause discomfort.

Interesting designs with gel polish on legs

Fashionable design options for gel polish on legs are:

French. The classic one with a white free edge is popular. But the main color is opaque pink. Basic blue gel polish and white for a “smile” are also in fashion when doing French.
Bright monochromatic. They use a matte or glossy finish, both of which look very beautiful. The rich color is complemented with rhinestones. But they are not glued to the most noticeable thumbnail, but to the one nearby, and along the cuticle.
With drawings. Hand painting is done on the largest nail. If it is a slider, it is glued there. The latest trend for summer is whole fruit or slices. Funny silhouettes are also in fashion - black foot prints or cat paw prints. You can make different designs on the right and left legs.
Gradient. The classic vertical one is done on the thumb. And the rest of the nails are painted in the same colors, but entirely. For example, if lilac and yellow are used for the thumb, then on the next finger the plate is covered only with the first, then with the second, etc.
With sparkles. They decorate the entire nail of the second finger. For the rest, use a bright color and a matte top. You can highlight the holes with sparkles.
A combination of three shades of gel polish, one of them is light. They cover the nail on the thumb. And the second and third colors are used to make the design - leaves, twigs, flowers, etc.
Stripes. They are made of different lengths, vertical or horizontal and drawn on the thumb in three or four similar shades (pink, lemon, beige or red, fuchsia, burgundy). For the remaining nails, use one of the same colors, covering the plates completely.
In white. They make a monochromatic manicure or an ornament from small details. In the second case, you can draw it not only on the thumb. Or they make drawings of insects (ladybugs, flies, multi-colored butterflies) on a snow-white background.
With kamifubuki. For the thumb, you can take different sizes and shapes. For the rest - small stars and circles. The background can be made pastel or bright - as desired.
With negative space. It can be played up in different ways - with silver sparkles and a cool shade of the base color, with foil stripes, with bright colors of gel polish.

Which gel polish lasts best on toenails?

For toenails, nail technicians prefer CND gel polish. It applies thinly but does not smear. There are different colors, quite dense, the pigment in which is distributed evenly. Vogue, PNB, UNO, TNL products are also suitable for pedicure.

The pigmentation of gel polishes is a particularly important property when performing a pedicure. If the color is dense, you can apply it in one layer, which is a big plus for toenails. It’s good when the product is of medium thickness.

A texture that is too steep can cause the gel polish to apply thickly or unevenly. And it is physically difficult to apply it to small toenails. And too liquid gel polish spreads, and in one layer it can become bald.

What you need to apply the coating

If you decide to do a pedicure on your feet with gel polish at home, you need to purchase special equipment and products.

The list of what will be needed in the process includes:

UV lamp. It is intended for drying the coating. If your budget allows, opt for equipment with a power of at least 36 W. In such a lamp the gel will harden quickly. A more expensive option is an LED lamp that dries your nails in seconds.

UV lamp

File. It is worth purchasing a professional buff with high abrasiveness. A regular sanding file will also work.
Degreaser. Professional products have worked well, but you can use alcohol or nail polish remover. Instead of cotton wool, use synthetic napkins that will leave no lint.
Bondex or primer. They are used after treatment with a degreaser to ensure that the coating lasts even longer. But at home you can do without them.

Bondex for pedicure

Base. This is the first element of the future pedicure. It is worth purchasing a professional product that contains vitamins that prevent damage to the nail plate. There are also cheap bases, but when buying them, be prepared for the gel polish to peel off quickly.
Colored varnish. This is the main element of a pedicure. There is a huge selection of shades and manufacturers. You can purchase a set that includes the main colors. These are usually used by beginners.
Finish (top). You can’t skimp on it, as well as on the base, because if you buy a low-quality product, you can quickly notice chips and scratches on the surface of the nail. The finish is available with and without a sticky layer, as well as glossy or matte.

What to consider when deciding to do it at home

It is better to do a pedicure at home without a device if you do not have clear knowledge and skills in working with it. In addition, using the device on yourself is physically difficult and inconvenient, so there is a high risk of injury. The cuticle should not be removed either. On the toes it is thin, barely visible, there is a danger of cutting off excess skin and getting hurt. It is enough to move it aside and remove the pterygium with an orange stick.

Gel polish will lie smoothly and beautifully if you remove streaks before polymerization. For this, toothpicks, orange sticks, degreaser or cleanser are useful. In addition to them, you should prepare the necessary tools and accessories in advance.

The coating is also removed without a device by soaking. Use gel polish remover, foil or silicone caps.

What material is needed

To perform a pedicure yourself, you should prepare the following tools and accessories:

nail clippers or scissors, because on the legs they are denser and thicker than on the hands;
metal pusher or tool with a silicone tip;
several orange sticks;
cuticle scissors;
a nail file, maybe an inexpensive and simple metal one;
lint-free wipes;
degreaser;
primer;
liquid consistency base;
gel polish;
finishing agent;
ultraviolet or LED lamp for polymerization of the coating.

This is a mandatory set of items, without which a quality pedicure is impossible. Lovers of intricate designs will also need decor.

Procedure

Pedicures at home are done almost the same way as in a salon, but they do without a device, and you don’t have to cut the cuticle. It’s not worth working with cutters without having learned how to do this with your toenails. Without knowledge and experience, it’s easy to get hurt, and instead of a pedicure, you end up with lameness until the wound heals. And physically performing a hardware pedicure on yourself is very inconvenient.

The same can be said about working with cuticles. It is enough to push it away with a pusher and clean the pterygium to make the coating smooth and aesthetic. In general, the procedure consists of the following steps:

Nail preparation, which includes cutting off excess length, smoothing the edges with a file, pushing back the cuticles with a pusher and dry cleaning the pterygium with an orange stick.
Treating the plates and skin with a lint-free cloth soaked in a degreaser to remove dust and moisture.
Using a primer to improve the adhesion of the material to surfaces.
Application of the base product and its polymerization in the lamp.
Coating with gel polish, performing a complex design (this stage may consist of several intermediate steps, interspersed with drying in a lamp).
Polymerize the flower bed and remove the sticky layer after a couple of minutes.
Using the top, drying it in a lamp.

For the convenience of applying the base, flower bed and top, finger separators are put on, and in the absence of a device, cotton pads rolled into a tube are used. You can steam your heels in hot water or soften rough skin with a keratolytic. Then it is cleaned off with a foot grater. When the pedicure is completely ready, apply oil to the skin around the nails and cream to the heels.

How to remove

It is better to remove the coating at home by soaking:

File off the top with a hard file.
Apply gel polish remover to pieces of cotton pad.
Attach them to each nail and put foil or silicone caps on top.
Leave for 15-20 minutes.
Remove the foil and cotton wool, and use an orange stick to clean off the sodden coating.
Wipe your nails with gel polish remover again.
Make a foot bath to wash away any remaining solvent.

Gel pedicure - the strongest pedicure (53 photos)

All girls want their pedicure to last as long as possible and their nails to remain strong. But many people refuse pedicures due to the fact that their nails are thin, brittle, and unattractively shaped. In this case, nail gel was invented for our convenience. It can be used for both pedicure and manicure. In our article we will look at several ways to use gel in pedicure.

We start by degreasing the nails with a cleaner.
Then we move on to the primer. The primer can be used either acidic or acid-free. More often, an acid primer is used for gel pedicure; it works better than a hard gel coating, but if your nails are sensitive, then such a primer can “stove.” Then in this case it is better to use an acid-free primer.
Apply a thin rubbing layer of the base. It is better to use rubber. Next we dry it in a UV or LED lamp.
Take a drop of gel and place it in the middle of the nail. Now spread a thin layer to the cuticle and side ridges. Dry it in a lamp.
Next we start filing. Even if it seems to you that you applied the gel as evenly as possible, there are still a lot of errors that will be visible when overlapping with color. Use a medium hard file. With this coating, your pedicure will be diamond hard.
If the nail is slightly overgrown, then when covered with gel, a thick layer may be created on the inside. So, we have no need for such “pies”. Carefully cut out the outer side with a router. This nail will not curl under the gel.
Now you can coat the gel with a color coating. And if you used camouflage gel, then you can leave the pedicure in such a beautiful nude color. This will look very gentle and natural option.
The last step is the finishing coat with topcoat. Don't forget to cover the ends of your nails with top coat. Be careful with small fingers so that the top does not run under the nail.

Don't miss: Mysterious ombre manicure (57 photos)

A common problem with pedicures is broken edges. Or maybe you remembered about a pedicure too late and your nails are in the wrong shape. Also, for various diseases of the nails, part of it can be cut off. In this case, you can always “add” your nail to perfection using gel.

Here it is best to use a thick gel, since it is difficult to place the shape under the toenails. All steps are exactly the same with strengthening. The only difference is in the application of the gel.

Here we would take a small amount of gel on a brush and apply it to the part of the nail close to the missing piece. And now, with small, unsharp movements, we begin to add the nail. You shouldn’t completely cover the nail right away, so the gel needs to take on the desired shape.

If the piece is very large, then you can dry the nail in stages.

Next, we also file the surface of the nail, cover it with a colored coating and top coat. And now your nail is in full beauty and there was no need to hide it.

Price for services in the salon

The cost of a pedicure in a salon ranges from 800-1000 rubles. up to 5000 rub. This depends on many factors:

establishment level;
the chosen design, the more complex it is, the higher the price;
Is it necessary to remove the old coating from another master;
Is there a need to correct the shape of the nails by extending the corners?

In any case, this is usually a more expensive procedure than a manicure, unless the latter is accompanied by complex actions (increasing length, strengthening with gel, etc.).

A pedicure adds completeness and well-groomedness to your look. And you don’t have to do it to match your manicure. On the contrary, on the legs the gel polish can be brighter and the design more explosive.