How to Create a French Tip with OPI GELevate™ Using a Nail Form

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Prep those nails! Follow our OPI Salon Pro prep basics.

OPTIONAL: Apply a coat of Bondex™ Bonding Agent and allow to dry.

OPTIONAL: For a HEMA-free and soak-off friendly service, skip Bondex application and apply a thin coat of GelColor Super Base Base Coat to all 5 nails. Cure for 30 seconds in the OPI Star Light Gel Lamp.

Fit the sculpting form under the free edge at a 45° angle and rock up under the nail, ensuring the form fits snugly to the nail with no gaps.

OPTIONAL: If the form will not fit snugly to the nail, customize the form with scissors to allow for tighter fit.

Apply a thin coat of GELevate™ 4-in-1 Builder to all 5 nails, leaving a thin free margin around the perimeter of the nail. Cure for 30 seconds in the Star Light Lamp.

Pick up a medium bead of product. Place the bead in the cuticle area and gently nudge the product towards the cuticle and from side to side, leaving a small free margin.

Using lighter pressure, guide the gel from side to side while pulling forward towards the form to create the desired length.

Flash cure the nail for 5 seconds with the Lightning Flash Cure Gel Lamp or the OPI Star Light. Repeat step 5-7 on remaining nails.

Remove forms and cure nails for 30 seconds in the Star Light Gel Lamp.

Pick up a small bead of your choice of nude builder gel on one side of the brush. Place the bead in the cuticle area and gently nudge the product towards the cuticle and from side to side leaving a small free margin. Lighten the pressure pulling product to create a reverse smile line.

Flash cure the nail for 5 seconds with the Lightning Flash Cure Gel Lamp or the OPI Star Light Gel Lamp. Repeat on remaining nails as needed. Cure all 5 fingers in the Star Light Lamp for 60 seconds. Repeat on other hand.

OPTIONAL: If smile line refinement is needed, remove gel residue with a nail wipe saturated with N.A.S. 99. Shape the smile line with a 180-grit file and buff the surface of the nail. Remove dust and cleanse nail with N.A.S. 99 before adding more GELevate builder gel.

Apply a small bead of Blank Canvas to the extension edge pushing it up to the smile line and tapering to the extension edge. Flash cure for 5 seconds as needed. Repeat on all nails. Cure all 5 fingers in the Star Light Lamp for 60 seconds. Repeat on other hand.

OPTIONAL: Freshly applied builder needs a lighter touch, and will file easily using a 240 grit file and padded buffer. Refine shape with a 240-grit file, followed by a 240-grit buffer or an e-file. Cleanse nails thoroughly with a nail wipe saturated with N.A.S. 99 Cleansing Solution.

Apply a coat of GelColor Super Gloss Top Coat. Cure for 30 seconds in the Star Light Lamp.

Apply a drop of ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil to the base of each nail and massage in.