How To Create Nail Extensions From Home

Long nail lover? You're in the right place. While you can't beat a gel manicure on any nail length, our passion for longer nails will never leave.

We have three different gel extension products to help create stronger, longer nails – and we’re going to take you through each of them so that you can find the perfect Bluesky product for you!

We've also included some FAQs at the bottom of the blog to give you even more help with creating nail extensions.

Hard Gel

What is Hard Gel?

Hard Gel is a great product if you’re looking to add strength to your natural nail. You can use Hard Gel as an overlay on your natural nail to give additional strength and keep your mani looking on point for longer.

Hard Gel comes in a bottle – just like gel polish – so it's simple to apply and cure under an LED/UV lamp. Hard Gel comes in four different colours so you can choose a shade that suits you.

How do I apply Hard Gel?

Our favourite way to use Hard Gel is for overlays to add additional strength to the natural nail. You'll only need your usual gel polish set up plus your chosen colour of Hard Gel.

• Start with your Bluesky Base Coat as normal, curing for 60 seconds under your Bluesky Lamp.
• Apply 1 thin layer of Hard Gel in your chosen colour and cure for 60 seconds.
• Apply a further thin layer of Hard Gel and cure again.
• Apply your gel polish colour as normal – using 2-3 coats depending on the look you’re after and curing for 60 seconds for each coat.
• Finish with a Bluesky Top Coat and cure for 60 seconds and wipe with a cleanser wipe for a high-shine finish.

Gum Gel

What is Gum Gel?

Gum Gel, or poly gel, is a brilliant nail extension product for creating medium to long extensions.

Its gum-like consistency makes it easy to work with and much more flexible than traditional extension products. You’re able to sculpt the product as much as you need before curing, which means less filing and shaping.

How do I apply Gum Gel?

Before you get started, make sure you have:

• Your chosen colour of Gum Gel.
• An orangewood stick or cuticle pusher
• A small pot with cleanser.
• A brush for applying Gum Gel.
• Paper forms or dual forms/tips.
• Your usual home manicure set up including LED/UV Lamp, Bluesky Base Coat, Bluesky Gel Polish, Bluesky Top Coat, Bluesky Cleanser Wipes and your nail file and buffer.

Here’s how to create extensions using tips/dual forms:

• Take your first nail tip and apply a small circle of Gum Gel. Using cleanser and an orangewood stick, spread the product out to cover the tip to your desired length.
• Dip a brush in your cleanser (you don't need too much cleanser, wipe any excess away from the brush) and continue to flatten down the Gum Gel into the tip.
• Apply the tip to your nail and clean up any excess product on your skin/around your nails with a brush dipped in cleanser. Once happy, cure for 60 seconds.
• Remove the tip and repeat the process for all your nails. Once finished, use your Bluesky Nail File to shape your extensions and your Bluesky Nail Buffer to take the shine off your nails. Wipe any excess debris away with a cleanser wipe.
• You can then continue with your base coat, colour coat and top coat as normal for your desired look.

Here’s how to create extensions using forms:

• Begin by applying Bluesky Base Coat, curing for 60 seconds.
• Apply a form to your first nail and apply Gum Gel to your nail (you can use an orangewood stick to do this).
• Dip your brush in cleanser and shape your nail. Carefully spread the Gum Gel to your desired length and shape using the form for guidance. 
• Apply more Gum Gel to create an apex (this step is important when creating longer extensions); you'll want to find the stress-point of the nail (where it's most likely to break) and apply the Gum Gel thicker here. Spread the rest of the Gum Gel out towards the tip of the nail.
• Once happy, with the shape and length, go around the nail one final time with your brush and cleanser to remove any excess product before you cure for 60 seconds.
• Take a look at the nail from the side to ensure the apex is big enough for creating your longer extensions - repeat the process if needed.
• Repeat the process for all nails. Once finished, file into your desired shape with your Bluesky Nail File and use your Bluesky Nail Buffer to remove the shine from your nails.
• Wipe nails with a Bluesky Cleanser Wipe and you’re ready to continue your gel manicure with your base coat, colour coat and top coat.

Builder Gel

What is Builder Gel?

Builder Gel is another of our favourite products for creating gel extensions. Perfect for any length of extension, the product is easy to apply using nail forms and is cured as normal under a LED/UV lamp. 

The difference between Builder Gel and Gum Gel is the product consistency – Builder Gel is thinner and more liquid-like, meaning you’ll need to apply and cure before you can properly shape the nails. Because of the consistency, you don't need a slip solution/cleanser when applying Builder Gel, and it also means it's self-levelling.

How do I apply Builder Gel?

Before you get started, make sure you have:

• Your chosen colour of Builder Gel.
• A brush for application.
• Nail forms.
• Your usual gel polish set up.

How to create nail extensions using forms: 

• Begin with a Bluesky Base Coat and cure for 60 seconds.
• Apply a form to your first nail. Dip your brush into your pot of Builder Gel and apply a very small ball of product on the free edge of your nail where the form starts.
• Working from the free edge, spread out the product down your extension to create your desired length and shape.
• Next, apply a slightly bigger ball of Builder Gel to create an apex (this step is important when creating longer extensions); you'll want to find the middle point of the nail and apply the Builder Gel thicker here (just like Gum Gel). Spread the rest of the Builder Gel out towards the form/where the tip of the nail will be.
• Turn your hand upside down for 20-30 seconds for the gel to self-level.
• Cure for 60 seconds to set the gel.
• Apply a further layer of Builder Gel using the same process and cure once finished. The longer the extension, the more time you'll need to spend creating your apex to ensure your nails don't break at the stress-point.
• Repeat the process for all your nails. Once finished, take your Bluesky Nail File to shape your nails and use your Bluesky Nail Buffer to remove the shine from your nails.
• Wipe all nails with a Bluesky Cleansing Wipe and then go ahead with your base coat, colour gel polish and top coat as normal.

How to create nail extensions using tips/dual forms:

• Begin with a Bluesky Base Coat and cure for 60 seconds.
• Dip your brush into your pot of Builder Gel and apply to the dual form, spreading out the product to your desired length and shape.
• Apply more Builder Gel to create an apex; you'll want to find the middle point of the nail and apply the Builder Gel thicker here (just like Gum Gel). 
• Be careful not to add too much product to the dual form - this can cause the product to come out the sides when it's pressed onto the nail. If you do have any excess product, make sure you wipe it away with a brush.
• Gently press the dual form onto your nail. Cure for 60 seconds.
• Pinch the dual form at the sides to remove it. If you need to apply another layer of Builder Gel to create a stronger apex, then follow the steps above again. The longer the extension, the more time you'll need to spend creating your apex to ensure the nails don't break at the stress-point.
• Repeat the process for all nails. Once finished, take your Bluesky Nail File to shape the nails and use your Bluesky Nail Buffer to remove the shine.
• Wipe all nails with a Bluesky Cleansing Wipe and then go ahead with your base coat, colour gel polish and top coat to create your finished look.

Lexan Gel

What is Lexan Gel?

Lexan Gel uses our fastest-ever curing technology to dry your nail extensions in just 5 seconds! Great for creating small-medium length extensions as well as overlays to strengthen the nail, Lexan Gel has a thinner consistency than Builder Gel, developed by our team to help you save time when creating nail enhancements. 

Best applied using nail forms, Lexan Gel can be cured as normal under your LED/UV lamp, with only five seconds curing time needed. Just like Builder Gel, no slip solution is needed when using Lexan Gel. It can also be soaked off - like our other extension products - using acetone remover. 

How do I apply Lexan Gel?

Before you get started, make sure you have:

• Lexan Gel
• A brush for application.
• Nail forms (due to the thin consistency of Lexan Gel, we recommend using nail form stickers rather than dual forms)
• Your usual gel polish set up.

• Start with your Bluesky Base Coat as normal, curing for 60 seconds.
• Fix a paper form to your nail. Take a small amount of Lexan Gel onto your extension brush and apply to your nail, extending to your desired length.
• Turn the nail upside down for a few seconds to let the product self-level. 
• Once happy, cure for 5 seconds. Please note: Lexan Gel only needs a 5 second cure, any longer and your nails may begin to feel hot.
• Apply more product to build your apex and repeat the application steps, remembering to only cure for 5 seconds.
• Pinch the sides of the form to remove it from your nail. File nail into shapre and use a buffer to remove the shine.
• Wipe away debris with a Cleanser Wipe and continue your manicure as normal with your Base Coat, Colour Coats and Top Coat.

Do I need to build an apex for nail extensions?

Building an apex will give your nails more strength and make sure they don't break, which is important when creating longer nail extensions.

The apex is the highest/thickest point of a nail enhancement, and should be created at the stress point where your nails are most likely to bend - we've included this in the how to guides above for the steps to follow.

How do I build an apex?

When applying your gel extension product, make sure you apply the product so that the bulk of the product is at the stress-point of the nail where it's most likely to break. You can then lightly thin out the tip - when you turn the nail to the side, you'll see a slight ridge.

The longer the enhancement, the higher and further back the apex will need to be.

Can I soak off nail extensions?

Yes, all Bluesky nail extension products - including Lexan Gel - can be soaked off using acetone just like your gel polish. Remember to buff your nails first to take the shine off before soaking your nails to ensure all product is removed easily.

Can I infill with nail extension products?

You can! All Bluesky nail extension products can be infilled. You’ll want to file off your top coat first (and your colour coat if you’re changing the gel polish colour too). Apply your gel extension product in the gap. Even out the product over your nail and, once happy, cure for 60 seconds in your Bluesky Lamp (5 seconds for Lexan Gel). You’ll then be ready to file, shape and continue with your gel manicure to complete your look.

Which nail extension product should I use?

Overlays – Hard Gel or Lexan Gel
Short extensions – Builder Gel, Gum Gel or Lexan Gel
Medium to long extensions – Builder Gel or Gum Gel

Is there a difference between Gum Gel in a tube and in a pot?

The only difference is the size. Our tube of Gum Gel is 60g and our Gum Gel pots come in 15g and 35g sizes. The tube means the Gum Gel can be squeezed out, where as you can use a brush, orangewood stick or another tool to get the Gum Gel out the pots.

How do I clean my nail brush after use?

Our Smart Cleanser has been formulated to clean product off your brushes after use. Apply a small amount to a palette or other flat surface, and roll your brush in the liquid. Wipe any excess away using a Lint Free Wipe.

You can also clean your brush using Bluesky Cleanser and a Lint-Free Wipe. Alternatively, you can use a Bluesky Cleanser Wipe in place of the Cleanser and lint-free square as these are lint-free and pre-soaked with Cleanser.

I have another question about nail extensions - can you help?

We are always uploading new tutorial videos to our YouTube channel, so make sure you watch those for more guidance. If you still need advice, make sure you message us on Facebook to speak to one of the team!