Are you ready to apply your wraps RIGHT NOW? (If not and you just want to see an overview of how to apply wraps, go to my Application Overview post.) Here is my detailed companion tutorial that you can use step by step, with mini video clips so you just watch what you need instead of pausing, restarting, etc. So set up your phone, iPad, or laptop next to you, grab your application supplies (listed below), and let's get started! Your first few times will likely take around an hour total as you get used to this process. You'll get faster, better and more relaxed with practice - I promise!
Supplies:
Cuticle pusher or orange stick
Buffer
Smoothing Base Coat (or any ridge-filling base coat - only if needed for curvy nails or metallic wraps)
Alcohol wipes
Scissors
Wraps
Tweezers
Heat source (the Jamberry heater is GREAT and only $19, but you can also use a space heater, flat iron, etc.)
Nail clippers
Nail file
TruShine supplies (if desired)
MY APPLICATION METHOD (Optional tips/tricks/suggestions are in blue text):
Supplies:
Cuticle pusher or orange stick
Buffer
Smoothing Base Coat (or any ridge-filling base coat - only if needed for curvy nails or metallic wraps)
Alcohol wipes
Scissors
Wraps
Tweezers
Heat source (the Jamberry heater is GREAT and only $19, but you can also use a space heater, flat iron, etc.)
Nail clippers
Nail file
TruShine supplies (if desired)
MY APPLICATION METHOD (Optional tips/tricks/suggestions are in blue text):
1. Push back cuticles...
...and buff lightly from base of nail to tip.
2. Wash hands with dish soap, focusing on the nail beds. Rinse and dry.
**TIP for applying metallic wraps: Apply one coat of ridge-filler (Jamberry has one called the Smoothing Base Coat. Love it).
3. Wipe the nail you're about to do with an alcohol wipe (available in the pharmacy section of the grocery store) as one last effort to minimize any oils.
4. Select and cut wrap. Each wrap gets cut in half to cover a given nail on each hand. Size small, even leaving a little bit of nail uncovered on either side to ensure a really good seal.
5. Remove the plastic backing. Don't ever touch the sticky side of the wrap with your finger. I like to use tweezers to slide between the plastic and the wrap and pick it up that way.
5. Remove the plastic backing. Don't ever touch the sticky side of the wrap with your finger. I like to use tweezers to slide between the plastic and the wrap and pick it up that way.
6. Position the wrap lightly on your nail, getting as close as you can to the cuticle without touching it. If you need to reposition to make sure it is centered, go ahead and do that (it's easier to do now, before the wrap gets heated).
7. Heat on the finger for 3-5 seconds (the wrap should just begin to soften). Carefully push down on the CENTER only. Then heat one of the loose ends and push down well on that side. Lastly, heat and push on the other loose end. Reheat and seal more (the cuticle pusher is great to get a squeegee-level seal).
8. Cut off MOST of the excess wrap with scissors (or use nail clippers if you are applying on your dominant hand). If your nails are really short, you might need to cut/clip off all the excess since filing will be tricky. In this case, try to round off the edges a bit so that you don't leave corners that can get caught or snagged on stuff and make the wrap pull off.
9. When the wrap is COOL, file the remaining excess off at a 90-degree angle in a downward motion ONLY. The wrap should start shredding off - you can gently remove it, but if you have to pull much then you haven't filed it enough. I typically apply all the wraps on one hand (cutting off most of the excess after each nail), then go back and do the filing on all of them before proceeding to the other hand. Finishing off with a glass nail file quickly on each nail will smooth the edges even more to minimize snags.
10. For an extra good seal on the edges and tips, use a Ziploc bag and wrap it tightly around your finger, pulling it away from the tip of your nail. Hold it up to the heater that way until it gets uncomfortable. Then remove the baggy and do the next nail.
**FINALLY, A "LAST RESORT" TIP for if you get wrinkles or bubbling a few hours AFTER applying your wraps despite following all of the above directions (my first and least expensive recommendation in this case is to go one size smaller on your wraps or cut them down slightly, because it is likely they are too close to your skin): Apply TruShine gel enamel over the wraps. Follow all of the above steps, then do the following in three sets, COMPLETING one set before moving on to the next. Set 1 is the fingers of one hand. Set 2 is the fingers of the opposite hand. Set 3 is your thumbs.
1. Wipe each nail with an alcohol wipe.
2. Apply a thin coat of gel base coat on each nail, followed by brushing gently across the tip to seal it. I have tried doing the tip first before applying the coat on the main nail, and it does NOT last nearly as well. Try to avoid getting anything on your skin with these coats, because it will get sealed to you when you cure it.
3. Cure in the lamp. The light will stay on the required 45 seconds when you push the button, then turn itself off.
4. Apply a thin coat of gel top coat on each nail and seal the tip as in Step 2, then cure again.
5. Once ALL THREE sets are done, wipe each nail once again with an alcohol wipe to remove the film that will remain. Then wash your hands and you're all set!
The video below shows steps 1-3 for the base coat (I shortened it to only show my painting one nail, but I did all four nails before curing). I won't show a video for the top coat since it is an identical process, with the exception of wiping with an alcohol wipe at the END of the curing rather than prior to applying the polish.
**TIP for everyone: Rub a drop or two of cuticle oil onto each nail at least once sometime in the duration of each set of wraps you apply. This will help keep your nails strong and healthy!
And that's it! Please comment with any questions, problems, or especially success stories!!
