How to Apply Gel Polish

Follow these steps to achieve a flawless, long-lasting BLOSS Gel manicure at home.

1. Prep the Cuticles

Gently push back your cuticles using a BLOSS Gel Cuticle Pusher.

Use the scraper end to carefully remove any remaining dead skin along the sides of your nails.

Optional: Trim excess cuticle using the BLOSS Gel Cuticle Nipper for an even cleaner finish.

Tip: Proper cuticle prep is essential for gel polish adhesion and longevity.

2. Shape the Nails

Our double-sided nail file has two grits:

Medium/fine side (180 grit): For shaping nails and lightly buffing the surface.

Coarse side (100 grit): For removing gel polish.

Shape your nails to your preferred style.

3. Buff the Nail Surface

Lightly buff nails with the medium/fine side of the nail file or a BLOSS Gel Nail Buffer.

Buffing removes shine and creates a slightly rough surface for better gel adhesion.

Remove dust with a dust brush or lint-free wipe with isopropyl alcohol.

4. Apply PH Bond (Optional but Recommended)

Apply a thin layer of PH Bond to each nail. It air-dries within seconds.

PH Bond removes natural oils and raises the pH of the nail for optimal adhesion.

If you experience lifting, use PH Bond, Primer, or both for extra hold.

5. Apply Primer (Optional but Recommended)

Apply a very thin layer of Primer to each nail. It will air-dry to a matte finish.

If nails appear shiny after application, too much Primer was used.

This non-acid Primer further improves adhesion for a long-lasting manicure.

Tip: Wipe the brush along the side of the bottle to remove excess Primer before applying — too much can reduce adhesion.

6. Apply BLOSS Gel Rubber Base Coat

Apply a paper-thin layer of Rubber Base Coat as close to the cuticle as possible without touching the skin.

Avoid thick layers to prevent the gel from running onto the skin, which can cause lifting.

Cap the nails by painting the free edge/tip.

Cure for 60 seconds under the BLOSS Gel Lamp.

Tip: Try to make the first (base) layer as THIN as possible for maximum adhesion.

7. Apply BLOSS Gel Colour

Apply a thin layer of colour gel, avoiding the cuticle and surrounding skin.

Cure for 60 seconds.

8. Apply Second Coat of Colour (If Needed)

Apply a second thin coat of colour gel, avoiding cuticles and skin.

Note: Some BLOSS Gel colours are highly pigmented and only require one coat. Skip the second coat if satisfied with the finish.

Cure for 60 seconds.

9. Apply BLOSS Builder Gel (Optional)

Builder Gel is thicker than regular gel and strengthens nails to prevent bending and chipping.

Can be applied before or after colour:

Before colour: Creates a strong base.

After colour: Protects the colour coat and prevents chipping.

Cap the nails when applying over colour.

Cure for 60 seconds.

If you feel heat during curing, switch your lamp to Low Power Mode.

10. Apply BLOSS Gel Top Coat

Apply a thin layer of Top Coat, avoiding skin and cuticles.

Cap the nails.

Cure for 60 seconds.

11. Nourish with BLOSS Gel Cuticle Oil (Optional)

Gently massage Cuticle Oil into the nails and cuticles to nourish and support healthy nail growth.

12. Enjoy Your BLOSS Gel Manicure!

Note: If using a colour Rubber Base or colour Builder Gel, you can skip Steps 6 and 7 if you’re happy with the finish and don’t want an additional colour coat.

Meet The Team.

Yep... there's only two of us around here! Me (Jade) and my dog (Rīwai/Potato). Although if I'm being honest... he's not much help. He spends most of the day napping and occasionally reminding me it's time for a walk.

The business began during the COVID lockdown back in 2021 when I was desperately looking for a hobby to cure my boredom. I purchased a lamp and a few gel polishes from Facebook Marketplace, and what started as a way to do my own nails quickly became my favourite form of self-care.

At the time, I couldn't find high-quality gel products from a New Zealand brand that I truly loved, so the idea for Bloss was born. I wanted to create salon-quality products that were easy enough for beginners to use at home, while still being trusted by professional nail technicians.

Today, I'm a fully qualified nail technician, and every single product is carefully curated, tested, and used by me before it makes its way into your hands. I genuinely believe everyone deserves beautiful nails without compromising on quality.

I live on a small farm in rural Canterbury, where Bloss is proudly based. Our warehouse is right here on-site, which means every order is carefully packed by me before it's sent off to nail lovers all across New Zealand.

Bloss is actually named after my Mum, (Blossom) whose nickname has always been "Bloss."

As for Rīwai... he's still waiting for his first performance review.

Jade's favs...

Builder Gel
If you want to grow your natural nails, this is the product for you. It’s a little tricky to get used to applying at first as it’s a thicker gel, but once you get the hang of it, you’re good to go. I keep reaching for this milky pink shade.
SHOP Builder Gel - Milky Pink
A Good Buffer
A good buffer takes your mani from good to great. I use this to prep my natural nails, creating an even surface for gel application (especially because I’m doing an infill 99% of the time). I also use it to “finish file” underneath the tips of my nails, it’s the finishing touch that makes your manicure look extra polished.
SHOP Buffer
The Perfect Top Coat
The ultimate top coat (in my opinion) is one that doesn’t yellow over time, keeps its high shine for weeks on end, and doesn’t chip or scratch easily. I’ve tested and tweaked until I created what I believe is the ultimate top coat (if I do say so myself).
SHOP The Ultimate Top Coat
A Nail Drill
I used to spend hours removing my gel polish. Because I usually wear hard gel or coloured rubber base (which is also a strengthen gel), using an e-file speeds up the removal process massively. I typically use a medium carbide drill bit at around 30,000 RPMs to remove my gel quickly and efficiently.
SHOP Nail Drill
A Coloured Rubber Base
This is what I pride my brand on! Specifically coloured rubber bases. They are thicker, which means they provide extra strength and I find they last the longest. I start every gel manicure with a coloured rubber base, and if my nails are shorter, I’ll often use just this (no builder gel) because it gives me all the strength I need. A true must-have product in every nail routine.
SHOP Coloured Rubber Bases
Cuticle Oil
When I tell you this cuticle oil smells sooooo good I could EAT it! I apply this multiple times a day just because I love the smell, but it also makes my cuticles look way less crusty dusty, while helping improve my overall nail health. Plus, it’s 100% natural and made with herbal extractions.
SHOP Stawberry Cuticle Oil