Hi! I'm Sarah Gibson Tuttle and I'm the founder of Olive & June.
Welcome to Nail Extensions with Builder Gel 101. We’re going to teach you how to extend your nails with builder gel polish. No glue or tips needed, just natural-looking length.
Letʼs start strong: get your area ready to mani. Lay out all your tools and work on a clean, flat surface. Plug in your lamp before you get started. Connect the power cord to the back of the lamp and plug into a USB adaptor
SHAPE + PREP
Lightly shape your nails. Clip 90% of the way into your shape and file the last 10% to get an even starting shape. Wipe each nail with a prep pad to dehydrate your nails.
Now we’re ready to create our nail extensions.
Meet the Patent-Pending Easy Fit Nail Forms.
Our patent-pending Easy Fit nail Forms come in 3 sizes with custom perforations to create your best fit, guaranteed.
First, find your Easy Fit Nail Form size.
To find the right size for each nail slide onto your finger so the edge of the form sits underneath the tip of your natural nail.
The form should be snug with no gaps around the corners of your nail. Each form comes with a curved perforation under the tip of your nail. If there is still a slight gap pop off the perforated edge to achieve a tighter fit. Find your size for each finger and set your forms aside.
Once you’ve found your sizes, it’s time to put on your first nail form.
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Peel away paper backing. Press and stick 1’s together. Don’t close the tip yet!
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Slide your finger under the ampersand so the tip of your nail is snug against the top of the form. The center line of the form should be in the center of your nail.
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Have a smaller or more curved nail? Pop out the perforated tip to get a tighter fit.
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Press the 3’s together. Pinch along the line to secure the form to your finger. Make sure it’s tight, level with your nail - with no gaps.
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Fold along the 4 so you can lay your finger flat.
EXTEND
Put on nail forms on one hand. Apply a thin even layer of Builder Gel Polish to your natural nail and over the form to your desired nail length.
This is called the slip layer. The slip layer acts as a guide for the next bead of gel, helping it spread and level smoothly. Creates the “slip” that allows you to spread the thicker bead of gel across your nail.
Do not cure this slip layer yet; it should remain wet so the gel bead in the next step can move easily.
Apply a small bead of gel (about the size of a small pea) to your natural nail on top of the slip layer. Using windshield wiper motions, swipe and extend the bead down your nail and the form all the way to your desired length.
Flip your nail over to let gravity build the apex. By doing this, you’ll save a lot of time and work! Use the liner brush to smooth the surface and fix any imperfections.
Ensure the surface of the gel is very smooth with no lumps or bumps.
Be sure to clean up any stray gel before curing to avoid early lifting, chipping and a gel allergy. Dip the Clean Up Brush in the Acetone Remover Pot to clean up gel.
Long press the lamp button and then slowly insert your hand into the lamp, curing for 2 minutes.
PRO TIP: Heat spikes (a warm sensation more common with thicker coats) can happen in the first 5-10 seconds. If this happens, we recommend gently sliding your hand out of the lamp, then reinserting slowly to continue curing for 2 minutes.
PS - Donʼt worry if your shape isnʼt perfect when youʼre building it. The goal is to achieve the length you want first. Weʼll shape up and perfect everything later!
SUPPORT
Gently remove the nail form by pinching under the form. Apply a second even layer of Builder Gel Polish to the entire nail. Clean up any gel on your skin and cuticles before curing by dipping the Clean Up Brush in the Acetone Remover Pot and swiping away any stray builder gel.
Fully cure your entire hand for 2 minutes with a long press of the lamp button.
Repeat the process with your remaining nails.
SHAPE
Now that youʼve created your dream length, letʼs get your dream shape!
Wipe all nails with a Prep Pad or dip in the Acetone Remover Pot to remove the tacky layer before moving to shaping.
We like to use the 90/10 method. Use the clipper to clip into 90% of your shape, then use the file for the last 10% of the shape— perfecting all the details and smoothing.
Some of our favorite shapes are square, oval, almond, round, and stiletto, but you can create any shape you dream of with builder gel.
For more shaping tips and tricks, check out our Shaping 101 video.
Don’t forget to take a look at the side view of your nails —
If your nail is uneven - if there are any extra lumps or bumps in your builder gel, you can buff across the top of your nail to smooth and perfect the surface.
TOP COAT
Time for Gel Top Coat! Wipe all nails with a prep pad to remove any dust or residue from shaping.
Apply Gel Polish Top Coat, and fully cure for 1 minute.
Remember to clean up any stray gel top coat before curing.
You did it! You’re done! That’s how you create nail extensions with builder gel.
Thanks so much for watching y'all.
We're here for all your questions, so ask us in the comments
Follow us @oliveandjune on Instagram and TIkTok.
Please tag us in all your builder gel manis — we can't wait to see them
OLIVE YOU!
BYE!
