Foil Nails: How to Use Transfer Foil Gel in 6 Easy Steps

Foil nails · 6 steps · press, lift, seal

Transfer foil puts metallic or printed art on the nail with no freehand painting. A dedicated foil gel grips the foil, and you lift the film away to leave the design behind.

1. 1

   Prep and base coat

   Prep the nail, dehydrate with pH Bond, then apply and cure a thin base coat.

   TipFoil shows the surface it sits on, so keep the nail smooth.

2. 2

   Add a color, if you like

   A cured color under the foil changes how the finished look reads. Skip this step for a straight foil design on the base coat.

   TipCure any color fully before the foil gel goes on.

3. 3

   Brush on the foil gel

   Brush a thin, even layer of Transfer Foil Gel where you want foil, then cure it. Cover the whole nail or just a shape.

   TipPaint it only where you want art. Foil sticks only where the gel is.

4. 4

   Press the foil down

   Cut a piece of foil to size and lay it over the nail with the design side down. Press it firmly with a fingertip or a tool.

   TipPress across the whole area so the foil makes full contact.

5. 5

   Lift the film

   Peel the film away. The pattern stays behind on the foil gel. Repeat on a fresh bit of foil if you want more coverage.

   TipUse a new spot on the foil each time, so you get a clean print.

6. 6

   Seal it

   Seal with Diamond No Wipe Top Coat and cure. Finish with cuticle oil.

   TipA glossy top coat gives metallic foil a mirror look.

Foil and foil gel

Soak Off Transfer Foil GelMSRP $10.95

Transfer Foil, Silver RollMSRP $13.00

Cheetah Transfer Foil KitMSRP $34.75

Base and finish

Nail Prep PH BondMSRP from $8.25

Soak Off Gel - Base Coat 0.5ozMSRP $7.25

Diamond Soak Off Gel No Wipe Top Coat 0.5ozMSRP $7.25