Katie Barnes
Katie Barnes

How to increase the staying power of nail gems

By Katie Barnes | 08 January 2019 | Expert Advice, Feature

Katie Barnes Crystals (1)

Educator and award-winning tech, Katie Barnes, reveals her top tips for applying crystals, gems and embellishments to nails…

Most techs will have their favourite technique as there are several different methods that can be used such as nail glue, top coat and gel. Gel is my favourite method to apply nail crystals. You can use a builder gel already in your kit or purchase a specifically designed gem glue, of which there are many on the market.

It is important to use a flexible but stiff gel for longevity so that as the nail flexes, so does the gel, giving the crystal more staying power.

One of most important notes for endurance, especially with larger crystals, is using enough gel to ensure it grips around the entire edge of each crystal’s base. Think of it like a ‘gel prong,’ which will hold the crystal in place in the way that a prong holds a diamond in a ring.

Getting a thorough cure when using gel is paramount for longevity and to avoid uncured product coming into contact with the client.

Before you begin, apply matte or non-wipe top coat to the finished nail. Place your selected Swarovski Crystals in a triangle tray in order to pick up with ease.

Here’s my application method:

  1. When applying larger crystals and pointy backs, use a firm yet flexible gem gel. Using a brush or dotting tool, pick up a bead of gel half the size of the crystal you are placing. For pointy backs, the gel needs to come up onto the girdle of the crystal to really secure it.
  2. Apply non-wipe top coat over the top of this bead of gel before curing. Use a wax tipped gem wand, dotting tool or tweezers to place the gem into the gel, use the tool to press this into the gel so it can really grip round the base. By applying non-wipe top coat over the gel, this ensures a tacky layer isn’t left which can be tricky to remove after applying the crystal.
  3. When using a wax-tipped tool, it is important to keep sharpening this (I use a nail file to keep this sharp) or replace the heads regularly to keep it in optimum condition for picking up.
  4. Cure for the gel manufacturer’s recommended time. For larger crystals, cure for longer. Get your client to slowly move their hand from side to side while it’s curing under the lamp to allow the light to cure the gel in between the crystals. Make sure your client doesn’t tilt their hand too much to one side, so the gem doesn’t slide and cure in the wrong position. To prevent this happening, you can use a handheld LED light for a quick flash cure over the crystal to stop it moving before fully curing under the LED lamp. If using a thinner viscosity gel, you may need to apply one larger crystal at a time to prevent the gel and crystal running.
  5. To apply smaller crystals, use a brush or a dotting tool to apply a medium viscosity gel in the chosen area. Apply a generous amount so the gel can grip around the crystal and act as an anchor. Again, apply non-wipe top coat over this. Use a gem wand, dotting tool or tweezers to place the gem into the gel, use the tool to press this into the gel so it can really grip round the base. If you have applied too much, you can dip a brush into cleanser and remove prior to curing.
  6. On a palette (tile, back of a form, foil) mix non-wipe top coat with caviar beads and apply in the gaps around your chosen design.
  7. If you want to seal the edges with a non-wipe top gel, this is your preference but not required. It is important never to put any gel or glue over the stone, because crystals get their brilliance from light reflecting off the facets, so regardless of attachment method, anything on top of the stone will dull the shine and lose its clarity.

Enjoy blinging!

Love Katie B x

www.katiebarnesacademy.com