Before lighting up your feed with Glow in the Dark nail madness, immerse yourself in the how-to’s and must-haves of this special product to enjoy it to the fullest. Whether your medium is gel, powder, or sculpture gel, we have prepared everything you need from the application and removal to the activation or recharging process. Now, who’s ready to glow crazy with iGel Beauty’s Glow In The Dark Nail products? iGel Beauty’s Glow In The Dark Collections Our Glow in the Dark collections have grown over the years. If you’re into gels, our LB GLOW in the Dark Gel collection creates a bright glow effect with an incredibly high gloss shine. For the dipping method and acrylic lovers, you are sure to love the highly-pigmented neon Dip & Dap Powder - Glow In The Dark because of its blinding vibrance and application versatility. When it comes to durable and more natural feeling nails, the hybrid Diamond Sculpture Gel - Glow in the Dark will be your best friend with its lasting radiance. Note: The strength of the glow would still depend on how long you charge the specific medium. Exposing your nails or swatches under the sun also makes them shine brighter. Stay until the end to learn about activating/charging your end! LB GLOW in the Dark Gel LB GLOW in the Dark Gel is great for beginners and nail artists who prefer a medium that is easier to manipulate for their nail designs. This product uses the classic application method and requires curing with a UV/LED lamp. How To Apply and Remove Glow in the Dark Gel Application Instructions: The first step is to apply a thin coat of iGel Gel Base Coat, then cure the base coat under a UV/LED lamp. Next, paint your nails with your chosen LB GLOW in the Dark Gel polish and cure them again. You may repeat this step until you get your desired opacity. Lastly, finish with the crowd-favorite iGel No Cleanse Top Coat, then cure and charge your nails inside the lamp. Removal Instructions: For the removal, start with filing or buffing your nails to remove the top coat and any thick layer. Soak your nails in acetone for 3-5 minutes to weaken the gel and use any cuticle pusher to take out the excess polish (repeat as needed). You may use a moisturizing lotion or oil at the end. To know everything about gel polish, including its in-depth application and removal process, check Beginner's Guide to Gel Polish. Dip & Dap Powder - Glow In The Dark The Dip & Dap Powder - Glow In The Dark is a versatile product you can use as a dip or acrylic. If you prefer a thinner, more natural application, try the Dipping Method which requires a Bond, Base Coat, Activator, and Top Coat. On the other hand, the Acrylic Method requires a monomer and is great for those who enjoy a great bead and a semi-liquid feel. Acrylic Method: How To Apply and Remove Glow in the Dark Powder Application Instructions: With the Acrylic method, prep your nails first using Ultra Bond Primer to extend the longevity of your manicure. Dip your Kolinsky Brush into your EMA Monomer, push it down, and brush it against the side of the acrylic dish to remove excess liquid. Dap your brush into the Glow in the Dark powder and achieve the correct liquid-to-acrylic ratio: it should be moist and spreadable, but not too wet.Next, apply the bead to your nails and air-dry. You’ll know it’s ready for the next step when you hear a clicking sound as you tap the nail’s surface against the brush handle. Lastly, put your Top Coat of choice and charge your nails inside the UV/LED Lamp. Removal Instructions: Start by trimming or cutting off the length of your acrylic nails. Acrylic is more difficult to remove so prepare to submerge your nails into a bowl of 100% acetone for 15-20 minutes. Once done, gently scrape off the softened acrylic with a wooden cuticle stick or any nail removal tool. If you want to see a more comprehensive guide on the Acrylic method, including the beading process, visit Acrylic Nails: Everything You Need to Know. Dip Method: How To Apply and Remove Glow in the Dark Powder Application Instructions: Before anything else, gather all your dip foundations and check if they’re in good condition. Since they’re already numbered, it’s much easier to follow the steps. Begin with the Dip & Dap - 1 Bond to dehydrate the nail, then apply your Dip & Dap - 2 Base Coat. Dip the nail in the Glow in the Dark powder at a 45-degree angle and tap the finger to remove the excess. (Pro Tip! Wait 30 seconds before brushing off the excess powder with a nail brush.). Once you get your desired opacity, it’s time to let the Dip & Dap - 3 Activator dry for 30 seconds and use a lint-free wipe on each nail. File and buff to your desired length and shape, then end with the Dip & Dap - 4 Top Coat. Don’t forget to charge your nails inside the UV/LED lamp. Removal Instructions: File down your nails first with a safe and reliable E-File. Aside from using a bowl, you may wrap your nails in acetone-soaked cotton balls or foil for 10-15 minutes. The manicure will flake off gently after this step, but you may continue to use a cuticle pusher just in case. Proceed with buffing and nourishing your nails with our oil or any moisturizer. Learn more about the Dipping Method and the dip foundations by checking Everything You Need to Know About Dip Powder Nails. Diamond Sculpture Gel - Glow in the Dark If you like creating or shaping your nails, use Diamond Sculpture Gel - Glow in the Dark over your natural nail or a nail form. Depending on your preference, this hybrid gel must be "sculpted" or molded using a brush. To mold it easier, you may couple the gel with 90% alcohol. How To Apply and Remove Diamond Sculpture Gel - Glow in the Dark Application Instructions: After nail preparation, take your Sculpture Gel Brush and apply your Diamond Sculpture Gel - Glow in the Dark on your nails. For easy application, you may opt to use Sculpture Gel Tips or Nail Forms with 90% alcohol or slip solution. Cure over and underneath each finger one at a time to ensure proper curing, then gently remove the nail form or tips you used. You may file your nail tips to your desired shape and clean them using a dust brush. Apply the No Cleanse Top Coat for the last step and charge your nails under your trusted nail lamp. Removal Instructions: Remove the shiny top coat by filing the nails manually or electronically. Before applying the 100% acetone, rub petroleum jelly around your cuticle and fingertips to keep the skin around your nails hydrated. Soak your nails inside a bowl of acetone for 15-20 minutes, or use the foil or cotton wrapping method for 10-15 minutes. Continue to shape and buff until they’re clean. See more information about Sculpture Gel application and removal when you visit The Ultimate Guide to Sculpture Gel. Activating/Charging Glow In The Dark Products No black light is needed to activate your Glow in the Dark nail product. Direct sunlight will provide the best charge (expose for 2-3 hours), but you may use artificial lighting such as nail lamps to activate the ingredients. Moreover, different colors naturally glow with varying intensities. Hence, don’t worry if your green and blue polishes glow brighter than the red and purple. Just remember the longer the charge, the longer the glow! Take note as well that adding more coats of your chosen medium will increase the pigment concentration of the ingredients, contributing to its brightness. You may also apply a white or light-colored base underneath the medium to enhance the glow effect. Different colors naturally glow with varying intensities. Keep in mind to store the product in a cool, optimal setting away from direct sunlight. We hope this guide and our FAQ have helped you become more confident and equipped to paint your Glow in the Dark Nails. Whichever medium you’re comfortable wearing, we are sure you’ll illuminate the room with your beauti-cool manicure and personality! Share your nail tips and tricks about our Glow in the Dark products on our iGel Beauty Facebook Community. Live your nail dream, one glow at a time! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Written by Alyssa Bueno on October 9, 2024 Alyssa Bueno, a true beauty enthusiast, brings her passion for writing and beauty to life as a writer for iGel Beauty. With diverse editorial background and industry expertise, Alyssa shares the current trends and curates tutorials and tips to inspire nail lovers worldwide.
