Q&A for How to Use Both Regular and UV Gel Nail Polish Together

Natural varnish isn't designed to cure or dry with LED or UV lights. Only gel base coats, polishes, and topcoats will dry with those lamps.

Methylated spirits (denatured alcohol) is a little stronger and more toxic than isopropyl alcohol. It's safe on your skin in small amounts, but may cause some damage to the manicure job. Overall, it's better to stick with a milder chemical like isopropyl alcohol or acetone.

It probably will not bond to the regular polish as well as it would to gel. However, capping the tip of your nail with both the base and the topcoat (but NOT the regular polish) should help prevent chipping.

If you want to combine regular nail polish with gel, it's best to seal in the polish with a gel topcoat rather than putting the polish on top of the gel. You can either use a layer of polish with a topcoat over it, or apply a gel basecoat, layer on the polish, and seal it all in with a gel topcoat.

The topcoat is not really designed to hold polish the same way a base coat is. The color may rub or chip off easily. If you want to add color, it's better to layer it on underneath the gel topcoat.

No, you need to cure the gel with UV, or it won't dry. Make sure you cure each layer of gel you use (base coat, color, and top coat) between applications. You don't need UV to cure regular nail polish--just let it air dry.

Yes, you should remove the inhibition layer before you put the regular polish on. Use a lint-free wipe soaked in alcohol or disposable alcohol wipes to get the tacky layer off.

That can happen if you use the same wipe for every nail. The gel residue on the wipe from one nail can end up on the next, making the nails look dull. To avoid this, use separate wipes for each nail.

Only gel polish can be cured under a UV lamp. Regular polish dries on its own, while gel polish requires a lamp and won't cure unless it's sat under the lamp. Use a gel base coat, cure it, apply regular polish and wait for it to dry completely, then use a gel top coat and cure it. This helps the mani to last longer and you won't have to buy a gel color.

In my experience, yes, a gel base is better.

Look at the instructions for the unit you have. UV light will require a minute and a half to two minutes to cure, whereas a LED light unit will take about 30 seconds.

They have gel polish with which you don't need to use the UV lamp.

Yes, but you will have more lifting and chipping than you do with gel alone. If you are trying to get healthier nails, stay away from gel polish because they will slowly damage your natural nails.

This means the regular polish isn't completely dry. Give the regular polish a half hour (glitter and matte polishes) to an hour (any other type of polish) for each coat to dry. It's a long time, but it prevents the wrinkles.

This would probably not work, since the strengthening polish would need to sit n the natural nail bed to actually work.

Did you use a base coat that says "base coat"? That could be the problem. If you just used clear nail polish or a top coat for your base coat, that can result in your nail polish peeling off.

There is no use for a UV lamp, since it is used for gel polish only.

You may be allergic to one of the ingredients. Ask your doctor if there is a way you can find out.

No. it doesn't matter what remover you use because they all do the same job. Just make sure it works well and that it does the job.

You could, if you want to use it only as a top coat and not a base coat, but please refer to the article.

No.

Yes, you can but try it on a small amount first to make sure it works okay.

You can remove it easily by using nail polish remover.

Yes. The result does not depend on the surface.

UV gel is gel polish that can only be set by using a UV lamp. Use a gel base coat, set it and rub off the sticky coat (if there is one) with a cotton bud or cotton ball and water or acetone. Paint the color on your nails and set it. Finish with the gel top coat, set it, and rub off the sticky coat (if there is one).

Gel topcoat is a sticky substance, so it will peel off the nail varnish. You could try using another brand of gel top coat to see if you can get rid of the issue that way though.

Yes, you can. The UV light is actually meant for gel nails -- it protects the gel polish.

Use cream on your hands/nails regularly and about 2 weeks after, try putting some normal nail polish on.

Yes, gel polish can be cured by either a UV or LED lamp. An LED lamp actually cures gel polish faster than a UV lamp.

No, gel polish shouldn't damage your nails.