How to Apply Semi-Cured Gel Nail Wraps

Before You Start

The newest entry on the home manicure scene, Semi Cured Gel Wraps are the highest quality wraps we offer. Made from gel and cured with a UV lamp.

⚠️ Important: They CANNOT be used as extensions — they are made from gel and will break if you make them longer than your natural nail. They need the support of your nail underneath.

These should last up to 3 weeks if correctly applied and depending on how careful you are with your nails. Like all products, they have a shelf-life of 9 months for best results.

✅ Quick Checklist
Done this before? Here is a quick reminder:

• ☐ Clean nails thoroughly — any oil or residue prevents adhesion
• ☐ Warm wraps + hands with a hairdryer — cold is the #1 cause of lifting
• ☐ Apply close to cuticle, not on or touching it
• ☐ Cure 60 seconds (120-180s for dark or glitter wraps)
• ☐ Avoid water for the first 2 hours

1. Prep Your Nails

Make sure your nails and nail bed are totally clean from any cuticle residue or oil before applying your wraps. We stock packs of 100 alcohol wipes on the store which are perfect for this. They are available here.

2. Choose & Prepare Your Wraps

To get a better fit you can cut your wraps or gently stretch the wraps with your fingers before applying them.

Warming them (and your hands) slightly with a hairdryer can help to make the adhesive stickier, especially if it is cold or very warm, or the wrap itself has been stored somewhere cold. I do this every time I apply.

3. Apply

Make sure the wraps are placed close to your cuticle and not on or touching it.

4. Cure

Darker wraps are more naturally resistant to UV and may need curing for longer than 60 seconds. Wraps containing glitter are thicker, and may need curing for longer than 60 seconds.

Not all UV lamps are the same — depending on your UV lamp you might have to cure for longer to get the maximum hardness. Our 12w lamps cure in 60 seconds, but you can repeat that twice more to make absolutely sure they are completely hard. If using your own lamp, which may be less powerful than the one we supply, it is worth curing for 120-180 seconds.

5. Finish

You can apply a UV top coat for an extra shine. When using top coats apply and cure in layers, so cure your wraps first, then apply and cure the top coat.

Avoid contact with water during the first 2 hours of curing your gel wraps. To protect your nails when they are done I recommend to wear gloves for washing up.

Aftercare & Removal

Store unused gel nail strips in the original black packaging, sealed with tape, and in original box. Keep them out of the air and light in a drawer. Any contact with air and light will cause them to cure over time. Keep away from direct sunlight.

To remove them please do not just peel them off, as you may damage your nails. Use a cuticle stick with cuticle oil and gently work them away from your nail. If you do not have these already, we stock both in our Accessories collection.

🔧 Troubleshooting

The layers are delaminating. This is generally caused by the top layer being cured, but the bottom layer not being cured enough. This especially affects darker colours, as they absorb less UV light. To avoid this, make sure you cure fully until completely hard and set — this may take between 120-180 seconds depending on temperature and the lamp.

They do not stick. Warm them with a hairdryer before application and ensure they adhere. Make sure your nails and nail bed are totally clean from any cuticle residue or oil before applying your wraps. Do not touch them unnecessarily while applying. Store them in a place that is dark, not too warm and out of the sunlight. Sets containing glitter can be a little thicker, and darker colours are naturally more resistant to UV so may need curing a bit longer. But most of all in colder weather or if the wrap is cold, warming them with a hairdryer first helps to make them a lot sticker — really helps with application.

They are not pliable enough. Warm them with a hairdryer to soften them before application and ensure they adhere.

They are falling off. It is likely that they were not adhered to your nails fully. Make sure to follow all the advice above in preparing your nails, and make sure you cure them for long enough so that they are fully cured.

Following all of this advice will help to achieve a good application that lasts.