In today’s post, I’ll walk you through an amazing nail tutorial featuring products from Melody Suie, who kindly inspired this article. They sent me a full nail desk collector and nail drill set, which goes up to 35,000 RPM—a fantastic feature for a quality nail drill. Plus, they included cute stickers to customize the drill and other fun nail bits that I’ll be using in this tutorial. Let’s dive right into it!
Step 1: Removing the Old Set
The first step is removing my previous nail set, which I applied about two weeks ago. I’m using the One Kill Gel Remover for this, and thanks to my use of a Jell-O peel-off base coat, the removal process is smooth and gentle on my natural nails. For those who want their nails to last 4-5 weeks, I recommend skipping the peel-off base coat, as it’s designed for easy removal after shorter wear.
Step 2: Prepping the Nails
Next, I grabbed the 240 grit sanding band from the Melody Suie nail drill kit and set the speed to about 3,000-4,000 RPM. I used it to gently buff my natural nails, cleaning up any residue or bumps left from the old nail glue. You can achieve the same results with a regular nail buffer, but using a drill makes the process faster and more efficient.
Afterward, I shortened my nails and shaped them with a file. For cleaning up the cuticle area, I used a cuticle bit at 4,000 RPM, which worked wonders in removing dead skin around the nail plate. I didn’t need to trim my cuticles this time since I had done that two weeks ago.
Step 3: Dehydrating the Nails
To ensure the nails are clean and free from oil, I sprayed some rubbing alcohol over them and scrubbed well. This step is crucial because if there’s oil left on the nails, they’ll start to lift and pop off in just a week or two. After sanitizing, I applied a nail dehydrator to make sure the nails are ready for the next step.
Step 4: Choosing and Prepping Extensions
I selected the Aprés medium sculpted stiletto extensions, which you can find on my Amazon storefront (linked here). To improve adhesion, I buffed the inside of the nail extensions with the Melody Suie drill at 5,000 RPM. Buffing helps the gel bond better with the extension for long-lasting results.
Once prepped, I applied some nail glue (you can also use gel) and cured each nail for 30 seconds before curing the whole hand for 60 seconds. Remember, ensuring the gel is fully cured is key to making your nails last. If the gel isn’t properly cured, your nails could lift.
Step 5: Buffing the Extensions
Although some people skip buffing the extension, I’ve found that it makes a huge difference. It gives the nail a smooth, seamless look and helps seal the cuticle. After buffing, I applied acetone around the cuticle area. Acetone slightly melts the plastic extension, which helps it bond tightly with the natural nail, reducing the chances of lifting.
Step 6: Applying the Base Colors
For the base color, I used OPI Bare My Soul, my all-time favorite nude shade. I applied two coats to a few of my nails for a soft, natural look, curing them for 60 seconds each time. On my middle finger, I went with a milky white translucent gel for a fun, modern touch.
Pro tip: If you don’t have the perfect shade for a design, try mixing colors! That’s what I did to create a light blue shade for the middle finger.
Step 7: Prepping for Nail Art
To make the upcoming aura design stick better, I applied matte top coat on my thumb and ring finger. If you don’t have matte top coat, simply buff the nails to remove any shine. For the French tip design, I applied a generous amount of polish and removed the excess with acetone for a clean, sharp finish.
Step 8: Creating 3D Designs
Now, for the fun part—3D nail art! Using hard gel, I created a beautiful mermaid design on my index finger and a starfish on my ring finger. It was my first time trying a starfish, and while I usually wear gloves when working with solid gel, I had to use my hands to mold the shape.
If you do this, make sure to wash your hands immediately after using solid gel. If left on the skin, uncured gel can cause allergies or irritation.
Step 9: Finishing Touches
To finish the starfish, I added some gold and pearl charms and a pearly stone on my ring finger for a cute, summery vibe. After that, I applied my favorite Cuccio non-wipe top coat for a glossy, polished finish.
And that’s it! This look turned out absolutely stunning. If you want to see how I did the design on my other hand, be sure to check out the full tutorial on my TikTok!
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this quick nail tutorial! If you’re interested in trying out any of the products I used, check out the links in the here to my Amazon storefront. For more nail designs and tutorials, don’t forget to subscribe to my Telegram channel and follow me on youtube.
Stay tuned for more tips, and if you liked this tutorial, be sure to like, comment, and share with your friends!