The part that no one likes in doing manicures and pedicures is cleaning up; thus, are many methods and tools developed to minimize cleaning, like liquid latex.
It goes around the cuticles of nails to “catch” any polish or enhancement applied in nail art, such as stamping and sponging. But can you use liquid latex with gel polish? Keep reading for the answer.
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Can You Use Liquid Latex with Gel Polish?
Yes, you can use liquid latex with gel polish. However, not all liquid latex sold in the market today can be used under UV light.
Unless your product of choice says that it is made to be used under UV light, peel the liquid latex off before you go ahead and cure your nails.
You should use liquid latex when getting your gel polish done because the liquid latex can act as a barrier to safeguard your skin. When you use sponges and/or stamps for your nail art around the cuticles, you must clean it up later with nail polish remover.
But nail polish removers have acetone, which can be extremely drying. So, liquid latex can eliminate the need for using nail polish remover on your cuticles, nails, and fingers in general.
How To Use Liquid Latex with Gel Polish?
Use it as you normally would with acrylic polish. Just check beforehand if it can be used under UV light. This should be specified in the product packaging. If not, assume that it cannot and remove it before the curing step.
Step 1
Apply your base color. If you use a peel off base coat, be extra attentive, as it can be peeled off when you remove the liquid latex later.
Step 2
Apply a layer of liquid latex around your cuticles. Opt for a thin layer if you are doing simple nail art, like stamping, and go for a thick layer if you want to do sponging.
Instead of leaving a small gap between the cuticle and the painted part of the nail, which entails there will still be some clean-up you can flood the gap.
But remember that you still need to try to avoid getting the liquid latex on your nails themselves.
Note:
- If you do accidentally get some on your polish, simply wait for the latex to fully dry. Then, all you will need to do is use the flat side of a wooden orange stick and push it to roll back and off of your nail.
- If your liquid latex coat is too thin, it will be very challenging to peel off later. The thicker your coat, the easier it will be to remove.
Step 3
After applying a layer of liquid latex, use an orange wooden stick to press excess latex up against the junction of the nail and cuticle.
Step 4
Apply another layer of liquid latex to make it thicker and repeat this step.
Give it 2 to 3 minutes to dry or until the liquid latex is no longer super wet and you can start peeling off at the edges. You should do it when it is just about to dry, not when it is still wet or completely dried and hardened.
Step 5
Continue with your manicure as usual. The liquid latex will now catch any mess you make over your fingers.
Note: If you are doing nail art that involves water marbling then you need to apply the liquid latex under the nail and pad of the finger as well.
Step 6
Peel the liquid latex off with your fingers or a pair of tweezers. Usually you would use the latter if there are small bits that are difficult to remove with your fingers.
Note: To save time and effort, and avoid injuring yourself with the tweezers, peel the liquid latex off by pressing it against a lint roller and pulling backward gently.
When you are done, you should no longer be able to see the cuticle around the nails.
What To Use Instead Of Liquid Latex For Nails?
If you cannot get your hands on liquid latex, consider using Elmer’s plain glue or school glue, scotch tape, eyelash glue, and vaseline as alternatives.
Elmer’s Glue
Elmer’s glue is a nice option because it is cheap and latex-free. If you are allergic to latex, then this is the ideal solution for you.
However, it takes quite a while to dry. Typically, you will have to wait from 5 to 10 minutes.
You just need to squeeze glue directly from the Elmer’s bottle around the cuticle of your nail. Even if it takes a bit more time to dry (compared to liquid latex), it is still better than going without it and having to clean up the polish mess manually afterward.
Scotch Tape
Scotch tape is another option that you may want to try. It is super easy to find; you may have it at home already.
Plus, it is simple to remove and does not have a drying time. Using scotch tape is also the least expensive method.
You just need to cut and apply one piece of tape across the top of the nails. Then, two more pieces on the sides of the nails and you are good to go sponge on your nail art.
However, keep in mind that using scotch tape this way means it cannot get as close to your cuticles as liquid latex, and will leave a box or square-shaped area that requires clean-up.
Eyelash Glue
Eyelash glue, if you already have one, is an alternative. It works but not really as well as the others that we have mentioned.
Although it dries quickly, it is gummy and difficult to peel off. It also requires you to use a lot of the product, which is not cost-effective.
Vaseline
Some people have also tried using vaseline as a substitute for liquid latex. It does minimize clean-up, but unlike the other alternatives, it cannot be peeled off.
You will need to clean up with a cotton swab (Q-tip). Even so, it does not take a lot of time.
Compared to liquid latex, vaseline is a lot more affordable. In fact, you probably already have it lying around at home.
You do not have to wait for a long time for it to dry like liquid latex. Hence, there is no need to spend a lot of time on your manicure or pedicure.
Vaseline as a liquid latex alternative is notably suitable for nail art that includes water marbling and gradients. The only downside to using vaseline is that it can feel a bit sticky and icky, even after it is taken off.
Peel-Off Polish
Peel-off polish is exactly what it sounds like. It is polish that you can peel off. It is made of water or glue and various types of dyes. You do not need acetone to get rid of this type of polish.
You can use peel-off polish as an alternative to liquid latex. Simply brush it on as you would with liquid latex and allow a few seconds for it to dry. The pros of this are that it is easy to apply, dries quickly, and gets the job done in a flash.
However, it is generally a lot more expensive than liquid latex, and you probably do not already have it available. You would probably have to order it online and wait for it to arrive.
So, we only suggest using this if you have it readily available and need to get your gel polish done but are missing liquid latex.
FAQs
How can I prevent the liquid latex from sticking to one another just when I am about to move from step 3 to 4?
To prevent this, you can use a bit of baby powder. Use a small brush to dust the powder onto the liquid latex around the sides of your fingers. Then, blow off any excess. The powder will keep the liquid latex from sticking to each other.
However, remember that you just need to apply this to the sides of your fingers to keep them from sticking to each other, not applying it everywhere to create a mess.
Can you use liquid latex with dip powder?
Yes, you can. it will help you cut down cleaning time. But if your nails tend to lift, then you will need a bit of extra prep work.
This includes buffing your nail plates lightly so the powder can adhere well, wiping with acetone or alcohol to cleanse your nails completely, and applying the bond before the base.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! The answer to, “Can you use liquid latex with gel polish?” is yes.
Feel free to use latex liquid with gel polish. But be sure to check that the liquid latex you have can be used under UV light. If you are not certain, your best bet is to peel it off before curing your nails.