I have about 1,500 polishes so I haven't really switched to gel polish. This is what I do: I usually polish them in the evening and use Seche Vite fast dry top coat. Seche Vite makes it so you don't get sheet prints on your nails while your sleeping. Then first thing in the morning I put on my gel topcoat. This has worked for me no matter what brand or type of polish I use.
@@floridagirl386 sometimes when you do your manicure at night or before going to sleep, the sheets can leave imprints on you manicure. Happens even when you think your nails are fully dry
I’ve done the same, and it’s perfect! Another think I do is toput on gel base and topcoat. Then I paint with regular polish and top with Seche Vite. My polish lasts pretty well for a week, my nails stay pretty strong, and I remove with non acetone remover so I don’t need the gel base for the next application!
I never tried mixing gel and regular nail polish, but what I do regularly is: apply gel base coat. cure. remove the sticky layer. slightly buff. apply regular nail polish (preferably leaving a small gap near the edges). let dry overnight and apply gel topcoat the next morning. Never had any issues with this method and it normally lasts 2 weeks minimum.
@@osopetty1761 Only if the regular polish is not FULLY dry before applying the gel top coat. And depending on the polish, thickness and number of layers this can easily take upto 24 hours with thick and/or multiple layers. P.S. Never use quick-dry on the nailpolish! This dries the polish outside in and it will take much longer to fully dry the polish. Hint: Use your nose! The slightest nailpolish smell already indicates that the polish is not fully dry. Fully dried nailpolish does not smell at all.
I was just about to ask about base layer adhesion! Making a gel base like this seems like a good idea. I've tried using normal base coat and it cracked the gel top coat even after letting the polish fully fully dry. Will have to try with the gel base next time.
As a huge fan of Holo Taco and Cristine, it always brings me joy to see you highlight the quality of her products. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
I appreciate you (and Jim) for always providing the science behind things! So important and often gets glossed over - especially in regards to social media trends
I do nails as a hobby for family and friends. One of my friend - cliends loves her huge nail polish collection, so the service I do for her is clear overlay with hard gel and a nail polish on top. The polish last flawlessly for at least 3 weeks, some brands looks great even after 4 weeks and we do this hack for years!
I've been doing this as well. Easier to take off vs gel when it's time for a fill. Also can change polish any time in between with normal polish remover.
For me it’s as simple as a gel base coat. Do that and you can do a normal polish manicure on top and get the longevity of the gel underneath. It’s becomes the anchor for the polish. This way you avoid all the gel top coat/wet polish risk.
I have trouble keeping regular nail polish on, so I do my nails with gel polish including topcoat. I then do nail art or a temporary color with regular polish. The regular polish will come off of the gel polish with non acetone nail polish remover. Great for a temporary change, but the color lasts like when I used to get acrylic fills
I’m going to do this. I am changing my gel nail colours too often by filing and soaking, apart from the time it takes it can’t be good for the nails. Thanks for sharing ❤
I do this all the time. I have lots of lacquer polishes, and it doesn't take very much gel topcoat to make a gel polish out of them, I purchased a large bottle of gel topcoat from Amazon (about $8) and I mix probably 3/4 lacquer polish, to 1/4 gel topcoat therefore retaining the color and you still have the open time to use them for stamping or anything you like. Works great hardens under the lamp nicely and you don't have to get rid of all your regular lacquer, polishes if you are a gel loving person. I personally love this as it provides the open time you need for doing very artsy nails.
I love holo taco, and I've done their polish with a gel top coat for a while now. I find the problem with longevity on nail polish is caused by my bendy nails, so putting it on top of enhancements removes that problem and helps it last for weeks.
I only just realized why gel NEVER lasts very long on my natural nails - they are sooooo soft and bendy. So yeah, if I do a hard gel overlay THEN the polish (of either variety) and a gel topcoat and it might actually last. I love bedding out about nail stuff, it’s so fun!
Yes I have bendy nails that “tear” instead breaking and keeping a good solid polish on is only way my nails really can grow out long. I use gel exclusively now cause I know it always cures cause there are times regular nail polish just doesn’t seem to fully dry. I use a gel base coat that peels off but it still stays for 3 weeks-ish or longer
I was so worried that you'd say that this wasn't a good thing to do because I've used regular nail polish on extensions forever, and Holo Taco is one of my favourites! I typically build my extension, rough up the top, apply 2 coats of polish (letting them dry COMPLETELY in-between) and essentially encapsulate with two layers of top coat. And with Holo Taco, the gorgeous holographic glitters just come to LIFE! 😍 Thank you for taking the time to make this video, I hope that it sheds light to some people who might wonder about mixing!
I feel very strongly that if Holo Taco came out with a true gel formula, it would give even the biggest gel brands a run for their money! I think it'd be an instant hit with ppl like me who only use gel. Also, this mixing is what I've suspected is the deal behind those less expensive "gel" polishes I was getting off of Amazon years ago. I noticed that they seemed to be drying before I would put it in the lamp to cure. I thought they were probably some % of lacquer mixed with just enough gel to be able to call it "gel".
Another tip for layering nail polish and gel - polishes that only need 1-2 *thin coats to be full coverage (if that's the goal) help. If you use a polish that needs several coats, you are far more likely to end up with wrinkles because each coat needs to be fully dry. If you use a polish that has a very thick formula, even in 1 coat, that will also be a challenge to get it to dry enough to avoid wrinkles.
I've used this "hack" many time when doing water marble. Use a gel base coat and one coat of white gel polish, dip nails in the water marble, wait a couple of minutes and apply gel top coat. Works great and lasts for at least 3 weeks.
By the way you want the regular polish to be 50% of the mixture, that's why it was not pigmented enough. Edit: I was super surprised as well by what the scientist said about ratios and curing, I thought it was the exact opposite!
That surprised me as well, especially if you’re adding an opaque colourant to something that needs UV light to cure. I do UV resin crafts (which is basically the same material as gel polish) and if you put too much colourant, it won’t cure properly because it blocks the UV light. I imagine jelly polishes with glitter will work decently, but I can’t see gels curing properly if 70% of the mix is a cream polish.
I bought a kit a while back that was advertised as turning any polish into gel. It was honestly just a few empty bottles and one larger bottle of clear gel and directions on how to mix them lmao 🤣 I bought it before I started doing nails. Forgot about it. Few years later I found it and decided to play with it and realized how much they ripped ppl off for what they were charging for just some clear gel and empty bottles 😆
That's literally what i been doing ever since getting gel top and base. I use my nail polishes. Let it dry for 24 hours and topcoat it. People think i get it done in a salon or use only gel products and always compliment my nails 😌
I am not a professional. I do my own gel nails and use regular polish with regular topcoat because i normally want to change the polish every week. On me it seems that the base is a more important factor whether or not the polish chips or not.
While I haven't mixed full colors into top coat to make it into a gel polish, I have tried layering the nail polish and gel. The Holo Taco toppers are a lot easier to layer because it can be a very thin coat which dries very quickly. Opaque colors like cremes tend to wrinkle even after 30 mins in my experience. I've done a few coats of Holo taco's flashdrive under a marble of purple gel polish and it was super pretty and didn't wrinkle
I’m so glad I am a fan of Holo Taco . I love gel as well but I’m allergic to it ! So sad 😢, but Cristine with no h saved my naked nails. Holo-elujah Beautiful colors and products.😊
I use base coat with the regular polish to turn it into a gel color. Depending on the regular polish consistency depends on how much gel base coat I use. I don’t do this often.
So - how many of us are jelly of Katie for being mentored by the queen Suzie - LOL! Said in good fun, but what a treat it would be to be taught by Suzie herself in person. I live on the east coast USA, so unfortunately I won't be visiting her salon/school any time soon. I have been watching her videos for years and have learned so much from her. And, I use Holo Taco polishes too and gel top coat them and they last for weeks. Thanks for always showing us what works and what doesn't.
I've heard if it's not dried all the way it won't dry after you gel top coat. I've got 500 bottles of regular polish and was going to get rid of it, now I don't have to 😊 Thank you so much! So many regular polish colors that you can't get in gel. Does it work with metallics too?
Recently I had a nail polish that had gotten thick and needed to be thinned out. I was out of regular nail polish thinner, but had some gel polish thinner. It worked great, and turned that regular polish into a gel polish that needed curing under a light. I don't know how universally this will work for other regular nail polishes, but thought it was worth mentioning.
Just put a layer of builder gel over, you can mix with top or base and cure first or let it dry naturally OR use a fast drying top coat before builder gel. All have worked for me with no issues and last as long as my gel polish.
This is great! Thank you for this. I have recently discovered Holo Taco and Cristine makes beautiful nail polish (which I prefer) but it is good to know that you can top it with a gel top coat or mix both together (as long as the ratios are right).
I use a fast dry topcoat (Out The Door) over regular nail polish, buff it once it’s completely dry and then apply a gel top coat over the top. Never had any issues and saves you from having to wait for the polish to dry on it’s own or worry about buffing away color.
Thank you for covering this topic thoroughly. When I started to search for the truth about this trend I thought to myself, I hope someone experienced and honest covers this so I can trust the information and not have to search and watch and read a bunch of content or comments in order to feel like I got the whole picture. I thought of you instantly and when your video was the first to come up, I knew I was in good hands. You answered more than the one basic question. Went above and beyond for us and now I go on to finally do my nails with confidence and no time wasted (or product)!❤
Awesome! So glad to hear that. I really really love Mooncat nailpolishes, they hsve such unique crazy colors that really speak to me. Generally, my collection is big and I was afraid I can't use them anymore now that I switched to gel. Also good to know that I'll be able to test Holo Taco with that method without wasting money on something I cant use.
Ok before I watch the video. I definitely just did this last night. I had gel polish I really wanted to use but my light went out. So I mixed it in some clear polish and let me say. OMG I LOVEEEEEEEE THE COLOR! IT'S BETTER THAN WHAT I EXPECTED. Honestly it's the best application of polish I've ever done too. It came out so even and smooth, even on my non-dominate hand. I've notice I have better control with the polish and it dries quicker. You know I was able to go to sleep and I woke up my nail polish wasn't messes up and because it's a gel and polish mix. I honestly don't need a top coat because it's already nice and shiny. I personally will keep do this I just love the outcome. But anyways on to the video. Lol
So it sounds like I can use a regular polish for accents and decoration on my gel polish. Would it be a good idea to buff the gel before applying the regular polish?
I use a gel builder to strengthen my nails, cure, clean w/ alcohol, then use orly ‘bonder’ base coat, then paint w/ any regular nail polish and a regular top coat. My nail color can last 2-3 weeks easy.
What I love about gel is that it's better for nail art since it doesn't dry on you as you work with it. Also, I prefer it to nail polish because there is less odor to it. I still have many nail polish bottles in a lot of pretty colors that I haven't used in quite some time and it seems like such a waste. I guess I can try sandwiching the polish between gel base and top coat, but sadly I won't be able to use them for art the way I want.
There’s actually also a gel from sensationail that it’s made to mix with regular polish, but it’s basically top coat, so I use the one I have. I prefer mixing nail polish instead of doing a regular coat so that I don’t have to wait for it to dry
After years of experimenting with different products for myself, I'm just sticking to nail polish. And now I've tried holo Taco (finally!!) I am definitely not wasting my time with gel again. It's the worst formula in a wet/water environment and with how much I have to wash my hands it will deteriorate so fast, especially bad with sunscreen (it melts it almost immediately). Also, with how it damages the nail (don't try tell me it doesn't), I'm just over gel. Acrylic is 100% off the table. I also love being able to change my nail polish every week and the cost is so so so much lower than any other alternative.
I do basecoate, cure, then apply regular nail polish, let dry very well and then do topcoat, and it works, especially on my toes, it sticks on it for 3-4 weeks!!
Paid to have my nails done for two months as both our children were getting married 6 weeks apart from each other. I really liked how feminine I felt with my nails done. I had tips put on and then dipped. Then I discover I had the greenies on five of my nails☹️. Removed everything and began doing my own nails at home. Your videos have been helpful. My nails are weakened so this past weekend I picked up the Nail Tek recovery system. I also picked up some no lamp needed gel polish as I do not own a lamp but like how fast gel polish dries. Only problem was the gel polish I had previously bought flakes off too fast. To be honest it wasn't an expensive brand (bought at the Dollar Tree) but this time I spent a bit more on another brand. I learned the hard way that gel polish and nail polish doesn't mix well. I like the look of natural nails but until the greenies are gone, color will be on my nails. Thank you for the video. I read through the comments and think using polish with the recovery kit in the evening and then top coating with clear gel will be the route for me. What are your thoughts on the no lamp gels?
I've always heard 1 drop of polish to 1 drop of clear gel polish. So equal parts. I've been hearing about this for 2 years, I'm surprised it's just now hit TikTok
@@NailCareerEducation I never tried mixing, but I can imagine you have to wait for (most of) the solvents in the regular nailpolish to evaporate before curing the gelpolish. Maybe you had the best results when mixed longer before applying/curing ?
I have never tried mixing them. I use the gel base coat, cure, removes the sticky layer. Then paint my nails with regular polish, and something about being on the gel coat means they dry *almost instantly*, but I still give it several minutes, and check for dryness. Then the 2nd coat if needed, dry (play a game or something on your phone or computer to pass the time because this one might take a little longer to dry). Then gel top coat, cure. My color lasts for 2 weeks, easy.
It would be interesting if you could use the repellent nature of the nail polish / gel as an effect somehow. It's unpredictable so it'd be hard to master
I guess they would want to use a polygel. Mix the nail polish in the polygel to get what they're looking for. 🤷🏾♀️ maybe it would hold more of the color because it's a thicker paste. ---- video comment ---- Oh I didn't cure mines in a lamp cause it went out but I did use a whole fresh bottle of clear polish and put just a little of gel polish in. I just let mines air dry and no problems. I love the translucent look, IF I did clear tips which I didn't. So I did have to use 4 coats to get a better color but it's such a pretty pink nude color 😍
This works 100%. Polygel or hybrid gel brush is best for applying. Just keep in mind the half opacity issue and the hack is to do 2 coats before curing each layer then its one full nail polish coat per cure. This really is a secret the nail industry doesn't want people to find. And guess what EVERY aspect of regular nail polish is enhanced with the gel. Clean up with alcohol any excess. Heck wipe the whole layer off and start over if there's an issue. And every glitter SHINES with gel. Your finished look will match the nail polish bottle color for once. It's amazing and I've blown a few minds with this.
@@NailCareerEducation I've been watching you for years - never seen a video on this before! Feel bad for the people who have re-purchased so many colors without having known about this seeing as most gel polishes are so pricey. I've only ever seen videos on the polish and gel sandwich - not of mixing the two together. Thanks for supporting DIYers - just wish this had been out there sooner. Love your channel though Suzie
My problem with regular polish is I can’t work fast enough with my non dominant hand to get a nice look on my dominant hand. Does adding that 10-15% gel allow more time to work with the mixture before it starts drying ?
I was shocked to hear that we can mix gel and normal polish together with the given ratios but still I'm afraid that it may interfere with the curing of either... what I'd do and in fact I've been doing what Suzie says which is to let the polish dry completely or use a quick drying topcoat IE: Seche, make sure it's dried solid then only cap it with gel topcoat. I feel less stressed out this way.
@@NailCareerEducation ngl when the swatch stick went in, I was like “is it gonna come out with wrinkly patches? uncured?” but when it came out cured and the scientist says it's okay but following the given ratios, I'm just shocked 😳 but imma stick with Suzie's hack as that's what I've been taught to do properly from your much earlier videos that I've watched.
There is a polish to gel polish conversion product, I can’t remember the brand that makes it. You mix it 50/50, it’s kinda the same problem with it making the polish sheer.
I have a kit from sensation nail that came with a thing to turn your nail polish into gel polish and it says to use equal parts of both, even came with a little mixing pot
@@NailCareerEducation the instructions were for equal parts of solution and polish. Tbh I never used it I was just really desperate for a lamp as mine died halfway through doing nails and this kit came with one. But Emily Susana did a video on the kit
Please my lovely nail godess teacher can you tell me if it's ok to mix uv nail builder gel with uv gel polish? Just to give the builder gel some color but to make it transparent?
The ones that I've seen mixed gel and polish 50:50 by volume. So, if the drops are of equal size the same number of drops of each. Or adjust for visual drop size. The scientists advice, I feel, could lead to the problem, that an opaque polish could have so much.pigment and make the mixture so impenetrable to light that you end up not curing the gel correctly, again.
I thought so too This is why I solicited the advice of an expert. He has over 25 Yrs experience with Gel in particular - his credits are very impressive. That out ways any thought I have.
I have tried the Suzie hack and it works great on my gel nails. What I am wondering is how do people who put these applications on natural nails remove it? Soak off or E-file? Thanks for all your very informative videos!
Suzie! Thank you for doing this video! I have been doing this for a while then someone (in the know) told me ‘gel with gel and non gel with non gel’. I thought I was doing something terrible! lol! But Suzie! You did not mention a base coat??? Can I use a gel base coat??
I use Young Nails conversion gel. Base coat cook, then use laquer and paint over base coat. Wait 2 minutes then put another gel base coat and cook then add another layer of laquer wait another 2 minutes then gel top coat and cure.
So I make press ons but I love holo and it’s hard to find good gel holo and also I find press ons that are gel stick on better becuse they’re thicker and bend instead of snap off but I find the gel chips off of the nail polish maybe I should buff the nail polish to give if something rougher to stick to ?
Really appreciate you filming this video! I was wondering if we could do the opposite, paint our nails with a gel color and seal it with regular top coat if we ran out gel top coat?
Has anyone tried Hydracol for converting regular polish to gel polish? I’ve tried it with solid colors but I’m afraid to try it with special effects polishes (like magnetic) in case it doesn’t work
Wonderful news! I thought of this but assumed it wouldn’t work because the regular nail polish wouldn’t be sticky enough for the gel top coat to adhere
I’ve used gel topcoat over regular polish for years. I didn’t like the thickness an all gel mani added to my natural nails. I polish my nails one day then the next day I’ll put a small amount of bonder on the edges & tip of nails then top with gel clear topcoat. Makes for easy removal too-just buff off the tc then remove the rest with regular polish remover. I love the “electric” bundle from Holo Taco but who can afford it 🥲
Hi Suzie, I just love your videos. So many helpfull hints for the at home nail techs. One question: can you suggest a moisturizer to help heal cuticles and cracked finger tips? I live in Wisconsin and as soon as the winter cold hits my hands turn into dried up rhino hide that no amount of lotion helps.
On the mixing of nail Polish and gel Polish I don't quite do a 1:1ratio but maybe a 1 and 2 ratio. The way I saw you mixing it earlier you had a lot more gel than nail Polish but regardless you're still going to get a more diluted color like you guys did. I've been using the hack of using my nail Polish and then waiting for it to completely dry before putting on a gel top coat or I will use my nail Polish and then use a quick dry top coat from super sheet lacquer and then waiting maybe 15 minutes for it to fully dry. Then I would put a clear gel top Coats and go from there.
Stop everything!!!! Dasha Diva makes a "Glaze Semi-Cured Gel" top coat nail covers that are amazing for protecting nail polished nails, gel nails, or your natural nails, or even nail stickers. Sally's and Ulta sells them. They last up to 2 weeks and are easy to remove with just cuticle oil! I love them!!! They also have color ones and designs.
Hi Suzie I am doing first time nail extension by using acrylic, but the problem is my acrylic nail is not drying,already 30 min pass but it's still feeling not dry,just seems me like rubber,what I do
Thank you Suzie and Camera man for all the great videos. What about mixing nail polish and polygel? Would the thicker viscosity of the polygel help to keep the more intense colors of the nail polish's?
Thank you so much for always posting interesting content. I've tried gel coat over regular polish but after curing my polish shrinks away from the tip of my nail so I end up with a very thin white strip of nail. Is there any way I can fix this please?
Hi Susie I don’t know if you will answer me but I try that before using the regular polish with the gel topcoat and it’s so funny because once I clean it the polish came off
Can you add a base coat of gel then a layer of normal polish let that dry then topcoat with gel like normal? Cuz polish chips so easy and someone with thin nail could we do that so we have the strength of gel on your nails.
So what I've done is apply a gel bass coat then paint my favorite nail Polish color on top then seal it with the gel top coat and I've had no chip or fade aways
I sometimes mixed a bit of black nail polish with clear gel top coat in order to make a very sheer black gel polish (this makes any color underneath darker if it’s too bright, I got this idea from sheer black lipgloss and I love this trick) but this means using more gel polish than black in this mixture. Lol er I hope I don’t have any uncured product on my nails
I've always just put a gel base n top coat with a layer of regular in between I never mixed them. It makes it last a few more days. I have naturally long nails so i don't use any tips or fake nails so regular polish last me maybe 2 or 3 days before it gets all chipped.
I use nail polish and I put a top coat after it dries completely. I also have a few gel polishes, I use the no light needed top coat. I'll never get rid of my nail polish.
I started using a dip system and really love the air dry top coat in this kit. It doesn't have to cure with a light and it's super durable/glassy/shiny/hard. I tried using the dip system top coat over regular nail polish and found it won't dry. I'm guessing there's a chemical reaction missing? In the dip system after you apply the activator (same chemical as what's in dehydrator), you have to wait for that to completely dry before applying the top coat, so I don't understand what the difference is with waiting for regular nail polish to dry before applying the dip system top coat. Would love some insight.
@@NailCareerEducationthanks so much for answering!! I know comments can get lost sometimes. I'm not sure if I explained myself clearly. I put nail polish on and let it completely dry. Then, applied the top coat (just a plain clear top coat, no powder involved. It's the top coat bottle that came from the dip system), and it won't dry. Are you saying that because the bottom layer isn't the hardened powder, that this is why the top coat won't dry? Just want to make sure I understand.
Hi Suzie, I have been thinking about something and I was wondering if you could test it out for me! I’m a novice at nails, I just do them for myself. However, as a busy entrepreneur and mom of a young toddler, I have little time for sleep let alone sculpting my nails! I use the Aprés Gel-X system and often only do one or two nails a day until I’ve done my full set ): I LOVE the baby boomer nails (doesn’t everyone?) but since I don’t have time to sculpt with gel or acrylic, nor do I have the time to make the design with gel polish (all that blending takes time and I’m a perfectionist!) I just don’t ever get to have the baby boomer nails. But tonight I was thinking, what if you were to paint the bottom of a gel-x tip with an opaque white polish, apply the nail with a white builder gel, then paint one coat of a sheer nude cover pink on top, and throw on a top coat? How would that look? Please let me know! Thank you! I love your videos 😁
I have about 1,500 polishes so I haven't really switched to gel polish. This is what I do: I usually polish them in the evening and use Seche Vite fast dry top coat. Seche Vite makes it so you don't get sheet prints on your nails while your sleeping. Then first thing in the morning I put on my gel topcoat. This has worked for me no matter what brand or type of polish I use.
Sheet prints?
@@floridagirl386 sometimes when you do your manicure at night or before going to sleep, the sheets can leave imprints on you manicure. Happens even when you think your nails are fully dry
how much is it ?
@@heyitsmorgan1097 SecheVite? Between 8-11$ depending where you get it.
I’ve done the same, and it’s perfect! Another think I do is toput on gel base and topcoat. Then I paint with regular polish and top with Seche Vite. My polish lasts pretty well for a week, my nails stay pretty strong, and I remove with non acetone remover so I don’t need the gel base for the next application!
I never tried mixing gel and regular nail polish, but what I do regularly is:
apply gel base coat. cure. remove the sticky layer. slightly buff. apply regular nail polish (preferably leaving a small gap near the edges). let dry overnight and apply gel topcoat the next morning. Never had any issues with this method and it normally lasts 2 weeks minimum.
That’s a great trick! Basically encapsulating the polish.
Using a gel top coat over regular polish usually cause cracking in the gel top coat
@@osopetty1761 Only if the regular polish is not FULLY dry before applying the gel top coat. And depending on the polish, thickness and number of layers this can easily take upto 24 hours with thick and/or multiple layers.
P.S. Never use quick-dry on the nailpolish! This dries the polish outside in and it will take much longer to fully dry the polish.
Hint: Use your nose! The slightest nailpolish smell already indicates that the polish is not fully dry. Fully dried nailpolish does not smell at all.
I do this too! Works really well.
I was just about to ask about base layer adhesion! Making a gel base like this seems like a good idea. I've tried using normal base coat and it cracked the gel top coat even after letting the polish fully fully dry. Will have to try with the gel base next time.
As a huge fan of Holo Taco and Cristine, it always brings me joy to see you highlight the quality of her products. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
I appreciate you (and Jim) for always providing the science behind things! So important and often gets glossed over - especially in regards to social media trends
So true. So many over look the DETAILS - yet it’s what makes or breaks a set of nails
I do nails as a hobby for family and friends. One of my friend - cliends loves her huge nail polish collection, so the service I do for her is clear overlay with hard gel and a nail polish on top. The polish last flawlessly for at least 3 weeks, some brands looks great even after 4 weeks and we do this hack for years!
I've been doing this as well. Easier to take off vs gel when it's time for a fill. Also can change polish any time in between with normal polish remover.
Yup my tech does this for me, but with acrylic overlays instead. I spent a lot of money on my nail polish collection, and I intend to use it 😂
For me it’s as simple as a gel base coat. Do that and you can do a normal polish manicure on top and get the longevity of the gel underneath. It’s becomes the anchor for the polish. This way you avoid all the gel top coat/wet polish risk.
I have trouble keeping regular nail polish on, so I do my nails with gel polish including topcoat. I then do nail art or a temporary color with regular polish. The regular polish will come off of the gel polish with non acetone nail polish remover. Great for a temporary change, but the color lasts like when I used to get acrylic fills
I’m going to do this. I am changing my gel nail colours too often by filing and soaking, apart from the time it takes it can’t be good for the nails. Thanks for sharing ❤
I do this all the time. I have lots of lacquer polishes, and it doesn't take very much gel topcoat to make a gel polish out of them, I purchased a large bottle of gel topcoat from Amazon (about $8) and I mix probably 3/4 lacquer polish, to 1/4 gel topcoat therefore retaining the color and you still have the open time to use them for stamping or anything you like. Works great hardens under the lamp nicely and you don't have to get rid of all your regular lacquer, polishes if you are a gel loving person. I personally love this as it provides the open time you need for doing very artsy nails.
I usually use a base instead of a top coat, it helps with elasticity and adhesion
I love holo taco, and I've done their polish with a gel top coat for a while now. I find the problem with longevity on nail polish is caused by my bendy nails, so putting it on top of enhancements removes that problem and helps it last for weeks.
I only just realized why gel NEVER lasts very long on my natural nails - they are sooooo soft and bendy. So yeah, if I do a hard gel overlay THEN the polish (of either variety) and a gel topcoat and it might actually last. I love bedding out about nail stuff, it’s so fun!
Yes I have bendy nails that “tear” instead breaking and keeping a good solid polish on is only way my nails really can grow out long. I use gel exclusively now cause I know it always cures cause there are times regular nail polish just doesn’t seem to fully dry. I use a gel base coat that peels off but it still stays for 3 weeks-ish or longer
I use regular nailpolish and put a gel topcoat on top! You don't lose the color pay off, and it lasts a long time!
I was so worried that you'd say that this wasn't a good thing to do because I've used regular nail polish on extensions forever, and Holo Taco is one of my favourites! I typically build my extension, rough up the top, apply 2 coats of polish (letting them dry COMPLETELY in-between) and essentially encapsulate with two layers of top coat. And with Holo Taco, the gorgeous holographic glitters just come to LIFE! 😍 Thank you for taking the time to make this video, I hope that it sheds light to some people who might wonder about mixing!
I feel very strongly that if Holo Taco came out with a true gel formula, it would give even the biggest gel brands a run for their money! I think it'd be an instant hit with ppl like me who only use gel.
Also, this mixing is what I've suspected is the deal behind those less expensive "gel" polishes I was getting off of Amazon years ago. I noticed that they seemed to be drying before I would put it in the lamp to cure. I thought they were probably some % of lacquer mixed with just enough gel to be able to call it "gel".
Yup I think so
This makes so much sense to me and I bet your exactly right...
Another tip for layering nail polish and gel - polishes that only need 1-2 *thin coats to be full coverage (if that's the goal) help. If you use a polish that needs several coats, you are far more likely to end up with wrinkles because each coat needs to be fully dry. If you use a polish that has a very thick formula, even in 1 coat, that will also be a challenge to get it to dry enough to avoid wrinkles.
YN has a gel conversion base and top coat you can use with polish, it’s amazing
I've used this "hack" many time when doing water marble. Use a gel base coat and one coat of white gel polish, dip nails in the water marble, wait a couple of minutes and apply gel top coat. Works great and lasts for at least 3 weeks.
I’m glad Cristine still sends you her polishes even though you mostly work with gel 😊
By the way you want the regular polish to be 50% of the mixture, that's why it was not pigmented enough.
Edit: I was super surprised as well by what the scientist said about ratios and curing, I thought it was the exact opposite!
Me too.
I anticipated that he was going to say less, I just didn't expect how MUCH less. I was expecting him to say 25% not 10%
That surprised me as well, especially if you’re adding an opaque colourant to something that needs UV light to cure. I do UV resin crafts (which is basically the same material as gel polish) and if you put too much colourant, it won’t cure properly because it blocks the UV light. I imagine jelly polishes with glitter will work decently, but I can’t see gels curing properly if 70% of the mix is a cream polish.
I bought a kit a while back that was advertised as turning any polish into gel. It was honestly just a few empty bottles and one larger bottle of clear gel and directions on how to mix them lmao 🤣 I bought it before I started doing nails. Forgot about it. Few years later I found it and decided to play with it and realized how much they ripped ppl off for what they were charging for just some clear gel and empty bottles 😆
Well you did get the empty bottles. It is a pain to completely clean out nail polish out of a bottle.
That's literally what i been doing ever since getting gel top and base. I use my nail polishes. Let it dry for 24 hours and topcoat it. People think i get it done in a salon or use only gel products and always compliment my nails 😌
Thank you for that info Suzie & Jim!
I have also tried this hack... what's also really important is the quality of the polish used.. xxx
I am not a professional. I do my own gel nails and use regular polish with regular topcoat because i normally want to change the polish every week. On me it seems that the base is a more important factor whether or not the polish chips or not.
While I haven't mixed full colors into top coat to make it into a gel polish, I have tried layering the nail polish and gel. The Holo Taco toppers are a lot easier to layer because it can be a very thin coat which dries very quickly. Opaque colors like cremes tend to wrinkle even after 30 mins in my experience. I've done a few coats of Holo taco's flashdrive under a marble of purple gel polish and it was super pretty and didn't wrinkle
I’m so glad I am a fan of Holo Taco . I love gel as well but I’m allergic to it ! So sad 😢, but Cristine with no h saved my naked nails. Holo-elujah
Beautiful colors and products.😊
I use base coat with the regular polish to turn it into a gel color. Depending on the regular polish consistency depends on how much gel base coat I use. I don’t do this often.
So - how many of us are jelly of Katie for being mentored by the queen Suzie - LOL! Said in good fun, but what a treat it would be to be taught by Suzie herself in person. I live on the east coast USA, so unfortunately I won't be visiting her salon/school any time soon. I have been watching her videos for years and have learned so much from her. And, I use Holo Taco polishes too and gel top coat them and they last for weeks. Thanks for always showing us what works and what doesn't.
Ahhh how sweet!
I will be offering On Line soon 😊
I've heard if it's not dried all the way it won't dry after you gel top coat. I've got 500 bottles of regular polish and was going to get rid of it, now I don't have to 😊 Thank you so much! So many regular polish colors that you can't get in gel. Does it work with metallics too?
This is why it can wrinkle - make sure it’s dry and your good to go
Recently I had a nail polish that had gotten thick and needed to be thinned out. I was out of regular nail polish thinner, but had some gel polish thinner. It worked great, and turned that regular polish into a gel polish that needed curing under a light. I don't know how universally this will work for other regular nail polishes, but thought it was worth mentioning.
Well that's interesting!
I love watching these two lovely ladies both have soft beautiful voices. 😘😘😘
Just put a layer of builder gel over, you can mix with top or base and cure first or let it dry naturally OR use a fast drying top coat before builder gel. All have worked for me with no issues and last as long as my gel polish.
This is great! Thank you for this. I have recently discovered Holo Taco and Cristine makes beautiful nail polish (which I prefer) but it is good to know that you can top it with a gel top coat or mix both together (as long as the ratios are right).
I use a fast dry topcoat (Out The Door) over regular nail polish, buff it once it’s completely dry and then apply a gel top coat over the top. Never had any issues and saves you from having to wait for the polish to dry on it’s own or worry about buffing away color.
Yup - that does work
Please do a video on mixing gel polish with clear polygel! Would love to see your findings.
Thank you for covering this topic thoroughly. When I started to search for the truth about this trend I thought to myself, I hope someone experienced and honest covers this so I can trust the information and not have to search and watch and read a bunch of content or comments in order to feel like I got the whole picture. I thought of you instantly and when your video was the first to come up, I knew I was in good hands. You answered more than the one basic question. Went above and beyond for us and now I go on to finally do my nails with confidence and no time wasted (or product)!❤
Awesome! So glad to hear that. I really really love Mooncat nailpolishes, they hsve such unique crazy colors that really speak to me. Generally, my collection is big and I was afraid I can't use them anymore now that I switched to gel.
Also good to know that I'll be able to test Holo Taco with that method without wasting money on something I cant use.
Ok before I watch the video. I definitely just did this last night. I had gel polish I really wanted to use but my light went out. So I mixed it in some clear polish and let me say. OMG I LOVEEEEEEEE THE COLOR! IT'S BETTER THAN WHAT I EXPECTED. Honestly it's the best application of polish I've ever done too. It came out so even and smooth, even on my non-dominate hand. I've notice I have better control with the polish and it dries quicker. You know I was able to go to sleep and I woke up my nail polish wasn't messes up and because it's a gel and polish mix. I honestly don't need a top coat because it's already nice and shiny. I personally will keep do this I just love the outcome. But anyways on to the video. Lol
So it sounds like I can use a regular polish for accents and decoration on my gel polish. Would it be a good idea to buff the gel before applying the regular polish?
I use a gel builder to strengthen my nails, cure, clean w/ alcohol, then use orly ‘bonder’ base coat, then paint w/ any regular nail polish and a regular top coat. My nail color can last 2-3 weeks easy.
What I love about gel is that it's better for nail art since it doesn't dry on you as you work with it. Also, I prefer it to nail polish because there is less odor to it.
I still have many nail polish bottles in a lot of pretty colors that I haven't used in quite some time and it seems like such a waste.
I guess I can try sandwiching the polish between gel base and top coat, but sadly I won't be able to use them for art the way I want.
There’s actually also a gel from sensationail that it’s made to mix with regular polish, but it’s basically top coat, so I use the one I have. I prefer mixing nail polish instead of doing a regular coat so that I don’t have to wait for it to dry
Discovered the reg polish + gel top coat as well. Took a bit of trial and error because I, too, am impatient lol
After years of experimenting with different products for myself, I'm just sticking to nail polish. And now I've tried holo Taco (finally!!) I am definitely not wasting my time with gel again. It's the worst formula in a wet/water environment and with how much I have to wash my hands it will deteriorate so fast, especially bad with sunscreen (it melts it almost immediately). Also, with how it damages the nail (don't try tell me it doesn't), I'm just over gel. Acrylic is 100% off the table. I also love being able to change my nail polish every week and the cost is so so so much lower than any other alternative.
I do basecoate, cure, then apply regular nail polish, let dry very well and then do topcoat, and it works, especially on my toes, it sticks on it for 3-4 weeks!!
Paid to have my nails done for two months as both our children were getting married 6 weeks apart from each other. I really liked how feminine I felt with my nails done. I had tips put on and then dipped. Then I discover I had the greenies on five of my nails☹️. Removed everything and began doing my own nails at home. Your videos have been helpful. My nails are weakened so this past weekend I picked up the Nail Tek recovery system. I also picked up some no lamp needed gel polish as I do not own a lamp but like how fast gel polish dries. Only problem was the gel polish I had previously bought flakes off too fast. To be honest it wasn't an expensive brand (bought at the Dollar Tree) but this time I spent a bit more on another brand. I learned the hard way that gel polish and nail polish doesn't mix well. I like the look of natural nails but until the greenies are gone, color will be on my nails. Thank you for the video. I read through the comments and think using polish with the recovery kit in the evening and then top coating with clear gel will be the route for me. What are your thoughts on the no lamp gels?
They are not real gels, only labeled that way to lure in purchases! A true gel will need to be cured in a lamp.
No-lamp gel polishes are not *real* gel polishes. They're pretty much just normal nail polish.
I've always heard 1 drop of polish to 1 drop of clear gel polish. So equal parts. I've been hearing about this for 2 years, I'm surprised it's just now hit TikTok
Ive been doing it for about 15-20 years
But it’s not full proof
But I have found success with it
@@NailCareerEducation I never tried mixing, but I can imagine you have to wait for (most of) the solvents in the regular nailpolish to evaporate before curing the gelpolish.
Maybe you had the best results when mixed longer before applying/curing ?
@@NailCareerEducation since both come from resin it definitely does work with the good ratio
I have never tried mixing them. I use the gel base coat, cure, removes the sticky layer. Then paint my nails with regular polish, and something about being on the gel coat means they dry *almost instantly*, but I still give it several minutes, and check for dryness. Then the 2nd coat if needed, dry (play a game or something on your phone or computer to pass the time because this one might take a little longer to dry). Then gel top coat, cure. My color lasts for 2 weeks, easy.
It would be interesting if you could use the repellent nature of the nail polish / gel as an effect somehow. It's unpredictable so it'd be hard to master
Katie gives me serious Moira Rose vibes. Main character energy lol. Love your collabs!
I guess they would want to use a polygel. Mix the nail polish in the polygel to get what they're looking for. 🤷🏾♀️ maybe it would hold more of the color because it's a thicker paste.
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Oh I didn't cure mines in a lamp cause it went out but I did use a whole fresh bottle of clear polish and put just a little of gel polish in. I just let mines air dry and no problems. I love the translucent look, IF I did clear tips which I didn't. So I did have to use 4 coats to get a better color but it's such a pretty pink nude color 😍
This works 100%. Polygel or hybrid gel brush is best for applying. Just keep in mind the half opacity issue and the hack is to do 2 coats before curing each layer then its one full nail polish coat per cure. This really is a secret the nail industry doesn't want people to find. And guess what EVERY aspect of regular nail polish is enhanced with the gel. Clean up with alcohol any excess. Heck wipe the whole layer off and start over if there's an issue. And every glitter SHINES with gel. Your finished look will match the nail polish bottle color for once. It's amazing and I've blown a few minds with this.
I don’t think it’s a secret. In this video you will see I do just that - been doing it for years.
@@NailCareerEducation I've been watching you for years - never seen a video on this before! Feel bad for the people who have re-purchased so many colors without having known about this seeing as most gel polishes are so pricey. I've only ever seen videos on the polish and gel sandwich - not of mixing the two together. Thanks for supporting DIYers - just wish this had been out there sooner. Love your channel though Suzie
My problem with regular polish is I can’t work fast enough with my non dominant hand to get a nice look on my dominant hand. Does adding that 10-15% gel allow more time to work with the mixture before it starts drying ?
It will by you more time yes
I was shocked to hear that we can mix gel and normal polish together with the given ratios but still I'm afraid that it may interfere with the curing of either... what I'd do and in fact I've been doing what Suzie says which is to let the polish dry completely or use a quick drying topcoat IE: Seche, make sure it's dried solid then only cap it with gel topcoat. I feel less stressed out this way.
100% been doing this for years
But many are doing the mix - that’s why I ask a scientist to find out IF we should be mixing 🤔
@@NailCareerEducation ngl when the swatch stick went in, I was like “is it gonna come out with wrinkly patches? uncured?” but when it came out cured and the scientist says it's okay but following the given ratios, I'm just shocked 😳 but imma stick with Suzie's hack as that's what I've been taught to do properly from your much earlier videos that I've watched.
There is a polish to gel polish conversion product, I can’t remember the brand that makes it. You mix it 50/50, it’s kinda the same problem with it making the polish sheer.
I have a kit from sensation nail that came with a thing to turn your nail polish into gel polish and it says to use equal parts of both, even came with a little mixing pot
Then I would hope the company has designed the gel polish to be cured at this correct ratio
@@NailCareerEducation the instructions were for equal parts of solution and polish. Tbh I never used it I was just really desperate for a lamp as mine died halfway through doing nails and this kit came with one. But Emily Susana did a video on the kit
Please my lovely nail godess teacher can you tell me if it's ok to mix uv nail builder gel with uv gel polish? Just to give the builder gel some color but to make it transparent?
Would a top layer of Seche Vite help drying the nail polish? Then go in (once dry) with the Gel top coat? Or is that too many top coats? Thank you
So how long should you let the specialty finish (Holo) polish dry before adding the gel top coat? Should I use gel base coat? Or regular base coat?
The ones that I've seen mixed gel and polish 50:50 by volume. So, if the drops are of equal size the same number of drops of each. Or adjust for visual drop size.
The scientists advice, I feel, could lead to the problem, that an opaque polish could have so much.pigment and make the mixture so impenetrable to light that you end up not curing the gel correctly, again.
I thought so too
This is why I solicited the advice of an expert.
He has over 25 Yrs experience with Gel in particular - his credits are very impressive.
That out ways any thought I have.
I have tried the Suzie hack and it works great on my gel nails. What I am wondering is how do people who put these applications on natural nails remove it? Soak off or E-file? Thanks for all your very informative videos!
Yes both are advised
Suzie! Thank you for doing this video! I have been doing this for a while then someone (in the know) told me ‘gel with gel and non gel with non gel’. I thought I was doing something terrible! lol! But Suzie! You did not mention a base coat??? Can I use a gel base coat??
I use Young Nails conversion gel. Base coat cook, then use laquer and paint over base coat. Wait 2 minutes then put another gel base coat and cook then add another layer of laquer wait another 2 minutes then gel top coat and cure.
So I make press ons but I love holo and it’s hard to find good gel holo and also I find press ons that are gel stick on better becuse they’re thicker and bend instead of snap off but I find the gel chips off of the nail polish maybe I should buff the nail polish to give if something rougher to stick to ?
What's the wear on gel top over regular polish? Does the gel top peel off? I do press-ons and wonder about the durability for my customers. Thanks!
Really appreciate you filming this video! I was wondering if we could do the opposite, paint our nails with a gel color and seal it with regular top coat if we ran out gel top coat?
Has anyone tried Hydracol for converting regular polish to gel polish? I’ve tried it with solid colors but I’m afraid to try it with special effects polishes (like magnetic) in case it doesn’t work
Can u put regular polish over gel polishes after they are cured
I did a holographic purple polish and added a matt gel polish topcoat and it's perfect! I love matt but they never last, until now!
Wonderful news! I thought of this but assumed it wouldn’t work because the regular nail polish wouldn’t be sticky enough for the gel top coat to adhere
I’ve used gel topcoat over regular polish for years. I didn’t like the thickness an all gel mani added to my natural nails. I polish my nails one day then the next day I’ll put a small amount of bonder on the edges & tip of nails then top with gel clear topcoat. Makes for easy removal too-just buff off the tc then remove the rest with regular polish remover. I love the “electric” bundle from Holo Taco but who can afford it 🥲
Hi Suzie, I just love your videos. So many helpfull hints for the at home nail techs.
One question: can you suggest a moisturizer to help heal cuticles and cracked finger tips? I live in Wisconsin and as soon as the winter cold hits my hands turn into dried up rhino hide that no amount of lotion helps.
I’ve tried using Young Nails Caption line of regular polishes with gel top coat because they dry super fast.
I love this channel
On the mixing of nail Polish and gel Polish I don't quite do a 1:1ratio but maybe a 1 and 2 ratio. The way I saw you mixing it earlier you had a lot more gel than nail Polish but regardless you're still going to get a more diluted color like you guys did. I've been using the hack of using my nail Polish and then waiting for it to completely dry before putting on a gel top coat or I will use my nail Polish and then use a quick dry top coat from super sheet lacquer and then waiting maybe 15 minutes for it to fully dry. Then I would put a clear gel top Coats and go from there.
Get idea Susie😘. Happy New Year!!!
You can buy conversion gel from young nails. It is a base and top coat, you sandwich your normal polish in between.
Stop everything!!!! Dasha Diva makes a "Glaze Semi-Cured Gel" top coat nail covers that are amazing for protecting nail polished nails, gel nails, or your natural nails, or even nail stickers. Sally's and Ulta sells them. They last up to 2 weeks and are easy to remove with just cuticle oil! I love them!!! They also have color ones and designs.
Hi Suzie I am doing first time nail extension by using acrylic, but the problem is my acrylic nail is not drying,already 30 min pass but it's still feeling not dry,just seems me like rubber,what I do
Young Nails has a conversion gel that turns regular polish into gel. I dont know if it would work with Holo Taco though
I actually was looking exactly for this sheer less pigmented effect 😂❤❤❤ thank u sooo much for the tip 🎉👏🏻👌🏻✨👍🏻🤗
Thank you Suzie and Camera man for all the great videos. What about mixing nail polish and polygel?
Would the thicker viscosity of the polygel help to keep the more intense colors of the nail polish's?
Thank you so much for always posting interesting content. I've tried gel coat over regular polish but after curing my polish shrinks away from the tip of my nail so I end up with a very thin white strip of nail. Is there any way I can fix this please?
@@sansiveria578 thank you so much! I'll try leaving it longer.
Hi Susie I don’t know if you will answer me but I try that before using the regular polish with the gel topcoat and it’s so funny because once I clean it the polish came off
I've done the gel top coat over regular polish before and it lasts but it does chip easier
Can you add a base coat of gel then a layer of normal polish let that dry then topcoat with gel like normal? Cuz polish chips so easy and someone with thin nail could we do that so we have the strength of gel on your nails.
So what I've done is apply a gel bass coat then paint my favorite nail Polish color on top then seal it with the gel top coat and I've had no chip or fade aways
Please advise what you use to then remove it all when you want to change to a new manicure?
Can u please do a video on how to do a French manicure at home? What is best technique for making white lines even
You need to try Sensationail polish to gel transformer. 50 /50 6 drops of each of 8 drops of each.
I sometimes mixed a bit of black nail polish with clear gel top coat in order to make a very sheer black gel polish (this makes any color underneath darker if it’s too bright, I got this idea from sheer black lipgloss and I love this trick) but this means using more gel polish than black in this mixture. Lol er I hope I don’t have any uncured product on my nails
That is a risk you are taking according to Jim
This makes me so excited because I love my regular nail polishes and I know some of my clients my like them so I’m going to have to test it out.
I've always just put a gel base n top coat with a layer of regular in between I never mixed them. It makes it last a few more days. I have naturally long nails so i don't use any tips or fake nails so regular polish last me maybe 2 or 3 days before it gets all chipped.
So I have a question about using regular nail polish with a gel topcoat...can we, or should we, use a gel base coat underneath?
I wouldn’t - gel, polish, and nail polish are not meant to go together. If you do this, I think it will increase the likelihood of peeling.
The reason I like gel polish is because it drys completely in 60 seconds...a big plus for me!
I use nail polish and I put a top coat after it dries completely. I also have a few gel polishes, I use the no light needed top coat. I'll never get rid of my nail polish.
I started using a dip system and really love the air dry top coat in this kit. It doesn't have to cure with a light and it's super durable/glassy/shiny/hard. I tried using the dip system top coat over regular nail polish and found it won't dry. I'm guessing there's a chemical reaction missing? In the dip system after you apply the activator (same chemical as what's in dehydrator), you have to wait for that to completely dry before applying the top coat, so I don't understand what the difference is with waiting for regular nail polish to dry before applying the dip system top coat. Would love some insight.
Because Nail Polish needs the air to dry
When you put powder on to of the nail polish you are stopping it from drying cause it can’t get air
@@NailCareerEducationthanks so much for answering!! I know comments can get lost sometimes. I'm not sure if I explained myself clearly. I put nail polish on and let it completely dry. Then, applied the top coat (just a plain clear top coat, no powder involved. It's the top coat bottle that came from the dip system), and it won't dry. Are you saying that because the bottom layer isn't the hardened powder, that this is why the top coat won't dry? Just want to make sure I understand.
Didnt you make a vid about getting it into gel?? With a Brown nail polish?
Happy to learn about the ratio of polish to gel.
It definitely works better if the nail polish is completely dry before adding a gel topcoat. I think it’s called a gelly sandwich
I’m wearing Crimson Void 😊
Love the HOLO TACO feature!!!!
Hi Suzie,
I have been thinking about something and I was wondering if you could test it out for me! I’m a novice at nails, I just do them for myself. However, as a busy entrepreneur and mom of a young toddler, I have little time for sleep let alone sculpting my nails! I use the Aprés Gel-X system and often only do one or two nails a day until I’ve done my full set ): I LOVE the baby boomer nails (doesn’t everyone?) but since I don’t have time to sculpt with gel or acrylic, nor do I have the time to make the design with gel polish (all that blending takes time and I’m a perfectionist!) I just don’t ever get to have the baby boomer nails. But tonight I was thinking, what if you were to paint the bottom of a gel-x tip with an opaque white polish, apply the nail with a white builder gel, then paint one coat of a sheer nude cover pink on top, and throw on a top coat? How would that look? Please let me know!
Thank you! I love your videos 😁