Product Spotlight

How to Apply Gel Nail Polish

Ready to take your mani to the next level? OPI’s GelColor is your secret weapon to nail that long-lasting, glossy look.

Say goodbye to chips and hello to jaw-dropping color and shine with 3 weeks of professional quality wear. Plus, our new OPI Intelli-Gel Technology™ offers our boldest pigment EVER in a vegan* and HEMA-free** formula.

In this quick guide, we’ll show you how to apply OPI gel polish like a pro—from prep to polish. Grab these products and let’s get started! 

- OPI GelColor Super Base Base Coat

- OPI GelColor Black Onyx™

- OPI GelColor Super Gloss Top Coat

- OPI Star Light Gel Lamp

- Expert Touch Nail Wipes

- N.A.S. 99 Nail Cleansing Solution

- Nail and Cuticle Oil

BROWSE ALL GEL NAIL POLISH

Follow these steps to ensure a perfect application every time.

Step 1

Start with properly prepped nails. Shake GelColor Super Base Base Coat vigorously for 1 min to ensure the product is fully dispersed.

Step 2

Drain the excess off both sides of the base coat brush and use the corner of the brush to cap/seal the edge of all 5 nails. Dip the base coat brush back in the bottle and drain the excess off one side of the brush. Apply a thin coat to the surface of the nails. Repeat on the other hand. Cure for 30 seconds.

*Pro Tip: One brush load should cover several nails before needing to dip back in the bottle. 

Step 3

Shake your fave GelColor shade vigorously for 1 minute (we’re using Black Onyx™).

Step 4

Remove the brush from the bottle and wipe both sides to remove excess color. Use the corner of the brush to cap/seal the edge of all 5 nails.

Step 5

Dip the brush back into the bottle and wipe excess color from one side of the brush. Apply a thin coat to the surface of the nails. Cure for 30 seconds.

Step 6

Repeat on the other hand. Apply a second coat of color. Cure for 30 seconds.

Step 7

Shake GelColor Super Gloss Top Coat vigorously for 1 minute.

Step 8

Remove the brush from the bottle and wipe both sides to remove excess color. Use the corner of the brush to cap/seal the edge of all 5 nails. Dip the brush back into the bottle and wipe the excess color from one side of the brush. Apply a thin coat to the surface of the nails. Cure for 30 seconds.

Step 9

Remove gel residue with a nail wipe saturated with N.A.S. 99. Add a drop of ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil and massage it in for a spa-like finishing touch. 

Looking for content on how to remove gel nails? Check out our removal tutorial here.

*No animal-derived ingredients or by-products.

**See product page for more details.