from the CN Designer Dips instruction card

The house method for the dip powders themselves. The numbers refer to the Designer Dips liquids: #1 Base, #2 Activator, #3 Top Coat.

1. Prep the nails — push back excess cuticle off the nail bed and file the surface lightly.
2. Wipe with acetone or isopropyl alcohol to clear oil and debris.
3. Paint a thin layer of #1 Base onto the nail, keeping off the skin and cuticle.
4. Straight away, dip or lay the nail into the powder and press down any glitters. Do this one nail at a time.
5. Brush off the excess powder, then repeat the layers as much as you want for strength and depth of colour.
6. Apply a generous amount of #2 Activator and wait 1–2 minutes, until the powder has hardened.
7. File, buff and shape the nail, then apply #2 Activator again and wait another 1–2 minutes.
8. Working one hand at a time, apply the first layer of #3 Top Coat in 2–3 quick, light strokes.Speed matters here — see the care notes.
9. Wait 30–60 seconds, then apply a second, more careful layer of #3 Top Coat.
10. Wait 2–3 minutes until dry.

Base → Dip → Repeat → Activator → wait 1 min → File → Activator → wait 2 min → Top Coat → wait 30 sec → Top Coat

from the Morovan Poly Nail Extension Gel user manual

The fuller of the two polygel methods. Steps 3 and 4 are optional — the manual says you can skip them, or buy those products separately.

1. Trim and file the nails.
2. Clean off the nail dust.
3. Apply nail dehydrator if needed and let it air dry 10–30 seconds.Optional — can be skipped.
4. Apply acid-free primer if needed and let it air dry 10–30 seconds.Optional — can be skipped.
5. Apply a thin layer of base coat, then cure for 1 minute.
6. Pick dual forms that fit the nails, then squeeze a small amount of polygel into each form.Beginners: about a bean’s worth.
7. Smooth the polygel out with the gel brush dipped in slip solution.
8. Press the forms onto the nails, making sure they close down completely tight.
9. Cure front and back for 120 seconds.That is with a 48W lamp. On a lower wattage, allow 180–240 seconds or more.
10. File and shape the nails.
11. Clean off the nail dust.
12. Finish with a thin layer of top coat and cure for 1 minute.

from the Morovan polygel insert (the printed sheet in the tool box)

A shorter variant that uses a false tip as the mould instead of dual forms.

1. Trim and file the nail lightly.
2. Apply a very thin layer of base coat and cure under the UV/LED lamp.
3. Pick a false nail tip in a suitable shape and size.
4. Apply polygel into the tip, then smooth it with a nail art pen dipped in cleaner.
5. Press it onto the real nail, making sure it seats fully, and cure under the lamp.
6. Remove the false tip, then trim and smooth the nail.
7. Apply top coat and cure under the lamp.
8. Trim to the shape you want.

from the Saviland poly gel instruction booklet

Saviland’s version of the dual-form method. Their booklet assumes a 48W UV/LED lamp.

1. Trim, file and clean the nail surface.
2. Apply foundation gel and cure for 60 seconds.
3. Squeeze poly gel onto the inner side of the dual form.
4. Shape the gel with slip solution.
5. Press the dual form onto the nail and cure for 120 seconds.
6. Remove the dual form.
7. Clean, trim and shape the nails.
8. Apply top coat and cure for 120 seconds.

from the Saviland poly gel instruction booklet

The same booklet’s second method, using a sticker-style nail form instead of a dual form.

1. Trim, file and clean the nail surface.
2. Apply foundation gel and cure for 60 seconds.
3. Put a nail form on the nail.
4. Squeeze poly gel onto the nail surface.
5. Shape the gel with slip solution, then cure for 120 seconds.
6. Remove the nail form.
7. Clean, trim and shape the nails.
8. Apply top coat and cure for 120 seconds.

from the product picture card that came in the mail

The six-step picture card for poly gel with slip solution and dual forms.

1. Apply base coat and cure.
2. Squeeze poly gel onto the dual form.
3. Dip the brush in slip solution.
4. Spread the gel over the form with the brush.
5. Press the dual form onto the nail and cure.
6. Remove the form and finish — shape, then top coat and cure.

from the handwritten note that came with the Sundara Nails Chrome Liquid Kit

Transcribed from the sticky note. Its timing for the chrome step reads “wait 3–4” with no unit written.

1. Finish the dip manicure first.
2. Put on a gel top coat and cure it for 15 seconds.
3. Put the chrome liquid on, wait 3–4, then rub it in with your finger.The note doesn’t say seconds or minutes.
4. Then apply gel base coat.
5. Finish with the top coat.

from the Pretty Diva chrome powder instruction card

You need a UV/LED lamp, gel polish (any color works; black and white give the best results) and a no-wipe top coat.

1. Paint a coat of color gel polish and cure it under the lamp until dry.
2. Apply a coat of no-wipe top coat and cure until dry.Timing depends on your lamp: too dry and the powder won’t stick; too wet or sticky and it looks messy.
3. Dip the sponge applicator in a small amount of powder and apply it, rubbing lightly back and forth. The chrome effect starts to show as you go.
4. Smooth over the nail with your finger to remove leftover powder.Skip this and the nails look glittery rather than chrome.
5. Apply a final coat of no-wipe top coat and cure until fully dry.

from the Born Pretty stamping usage manual

Four steps, each with the tip the manual pairs it with. Clean and trim the nail surface first, as with any manicure — it helps the art last.

1. Apply stamping polish onto the stamping plate.Get the amount right — too much or too little both cause problems.
2. Scrape the excess polish off with the scraper.Hold the scraper at about 45 degrees.
3. Press the stamper down quickly to pick up the pattern.Gentle and fast.
4. Apply top coat.Use a no-smudge top coat, or it will blur the pattern.

from the Maniology stamping instructions (packaging insert)

Peel the blue protective film off a new plate before you start.

1. Apply Stamping Art Polish over the selected design on the stamping plate.
2. Holding the Scraper Card at a 45-degree angle, gently scrape the excess polish off the design towards the edge.
3. Move quickly! Using the squishy part of the Stamper, pick up the image with a rolling technique.Speed matters here, same as with the Born Pretty plates.
4. With the design transferred to the stamper, place it onto the nail bed using a smooth rolling motion.
5. Seal the design with a smudge-free top coat.

from the Clear Jelly Stamper instruction card

The full CJS process, including the clear stamper’s own supplies.

1. Gather supplies: CJS stamping polish, the Clear Jelly Stamper and scraper, the chosen CJS plate with the blue film removed, PROtect for cuticle clean-up, a clean-up brush, and top coat.
2. Clean the stamper and plate first to remove any dust or oils left over from storage.
3. Apply PROtect around the cuticle for easy clean-up later.
4. Apply a small amount of stamping polish over the chosen image.
5. Scrape the excess polish off at a 45-degree angle.Move quickly — don’t let the polish on the plate start to dry before the next step.
6. Roll the stamper over the image with a light touch to lift it.Clean away any unwanted bits with the scraper edge or a piece of scotch tape.
7. Press the image onto the nail without too much pressure.Move quickly, or the image can dry on the stamper head before it transfers.
8. For a layered image, repeat the scrape-and-stamp steps until it’s complete.
9. Remove the PROtect and clean up with a bling brush.
10. Let the image dry.It’s usually ready by the time cuticle clean-up is done.
11. Float (don’t wipe) top coat over the nail and let it cure/dry.Wiping it on can streak the design — CJS’s own “Smear Not” top coat is made to avoid this.

from the PUEEN nail stamp instructions

PUEEN’s own short version of the process.

1. Apply base polish and let it dry completely.
2. Paint stamping polish over the selected pattern.
3. Scrape the excess polish off immediately.
4. Press the stamper onto the plate to pick up the design.
5. Transfer the pattern onto the nail.
6. Apply top coat to seal and finish.

from the pink instruction card in the nail tips box

The card gives two routes depending on the glue — fast-drying nail glue or UV nail glue.

1. Push back the cuticles and remove any excess cuticle around the nails.
2. Trim, shape and buff the nails until there is no shine left on the surface.
3. Clean the nails with a nail brush and alcohol pads, and make sure they are dry and oil-free.
4. Pick tips that cover both stress points (the widest points of the nail) and fit the cuticle line.
5. Base coat: with fast-drying glue, none is needed. With UV glue, apply base gel to the nail and cure for 60 seconds.
6. Apply nail glue to the underside of the tip.
7. Place the tip at a 45-degree angle from the cuticle side, pushing out any bubbles.
8. Fast-drying glue: hold the tip in place for 5 seconds. UV glue: cure under a UV/LED lamp for 60–90 seconds.
9. Add nail art if you like, and finish with top coat.

from the ISGR-01 Electric Nail Soaking Bowl manual

For the heated soak-off bowl.

1. Put the plastic bowl in first, then pour in nail polish remover — about 3/4 full (50 ml). Make sure it will cover the gel, but won’t spill over once your hand is in.
2. Buff the gel with a nail file or electric file to break the sealer.For acrylic nails, trim them first before sanding.
3. Touch the power sensor to turn the machine on.
4. When the green HEAT light comes on, put your hand in with the gel fully covered by the remover.
5. When the yellow FINISH light comes on and the machine stops, take your hand out and lift the gel off with a tool.Still stuck? Restart the machine and soak again until it softens.
6. Once the gel is off, apply hand cream to moisturize the skin.

from the TOLANSI cordless rechargeable nail lamp manual

Buttons: 30, 60 and 90 seconds (normal mode), 120 seconds (low-temperature mode), on/off, and a mute / text-display switch.

1. Turn on the power switch; the lamp goes to standby.
2. Automatic mode: put your hand in and it starts; take it out and it stops. The display counts the seconds.
3. Manual mode: press 30, 60 or 90 seconds, or 120 seconds for the low-temperature mode, which is gentler during curing.
4. The mute button: a short press switches the text display; a long press turns the beep on or off.
5. Charging: plug in the charger and the battery icon flashes back and forth; it stops when fully charged.About 2–3 hours to charge, 4–6 hours of use. Under 10% the icon flashes and the lamp shuts off to protect the battery.

from the small UV/LED lamp user manual (6 bulbs, USB cable)

The little pink folding lamp.

1. Connect the adapter or USB cable.
2. Click the power button — the default timer is 60 seconds.
3. Press and hold the power button for the 120-second timer.

from the melodysusie Professional Nail Dust Collector user manual

The nail fan that pulls filing dust away.

1. Plug the power supply into the DC socket.
2. Press ON/OFF to turn it on, and choose high or low.
3. Press ON/OFF again to turn it off. Unplug the adapter if it won’t be used for a while.