How to apply Sugar Skull Gel


  • Step 1:

    Trim and file the nails to desired length and shape.

  • Step 2:

    Push the cuticles back with a cuticle pusher, and where necessary clip. If the skin is hard, and slightly uncomfortable to push, soak the hand in some warm water first. Take care in preparing the nail.

  • Step 3:

    Lightly buff nails with the Sugar Skull buffer. This will remove the shine of the natural nail, and assist with the adhesion of the product.

  • Step 4:

    Wipe the nails with lint free wipes and cleanser. NB! Each nail must be completely oil free! Leave the nails to dry for 15 seconds.

  • Step 5:

    Apply Sugar Skull Gel Bonder to each nail. Pay attention to the sides and tips of the nails. This is where lifting and peeling may occur due to poor preparation! Use sparingly. A little goes a long way. Allow to dry for 30 seconds. ** Decide which hand to start working on. We don’t recommend doing all 10 fingers at once. The easiest is to do 4 on one hand, followed by 4 on the other hand, and lastly go back to the thumbs.

  • Step 6:

    Apply a coat of base coat to one hand, and place into lamp. Ensure each nail is capped (sealed) with Base Coat. The neatness of the Base Coat will determine the final result of the treatment. While the first hand cures, apply the Base Coat Gel to the second hand. Important ** LED Lamp – 30-60 seconds Vs. UV Lamp – 120 seconds DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO TOUCH YOUR NAILS. The product will be slightly tacky and porous, so any contact will interfere with the rest of the application.

  • Step 7:

    Shake bottle. Apply the first coat of Sugar Skull Gel Colour. A nice thin layer, ensuring each nail is capped with the colour. Cure under lamp. Important** LED Lamp – 30 seconds Vs. UV Lamp – 60 seconds.

  • Step 8:

    Apply the second coat of Sugar Skull Gel colour. A nice thin layer, ensuring each nail is capped with colour. Cure under lamp. Important** LED Lamp – 30 seconds Vs. UV Lamp – 60 seconds.

  • Step 9:

    Apply the Sugar Skull Gel Top Coat. Ensure each nail is capped with the Top Coat. And ensure the Top Coat is not painted onto the cuticle or skin around the nail. Neaten up if necessary, as this will ultimately seal the 3 layers beneath it. Cure under lamp. Important** LED Lamp – 60 seconds Vs. UV Lamp – 120 seconds. Enjoy!


Here are a few friendly tips


  • If you get polish on your cuticle or skin, remove with a brush dipped in alcohol or cleanser BEFORE curing your nails under the lamp. If you allow the polish on your cuticles to harden it will likely cause the polish to peel or chip. Try and keep the polish on the surface of the nail only.
  • If you make a mistake, it is super easy to fix, as long as you do it before curing. Just wipe the polish off with a lint free wipe and your cleanser or alcohol, and re-apply that layer.
  • Cure time: typically gel polish cures in 30 seconds in an LED lamp, and the curing time in a UV lamp is always longer – varies between 60 and 90 seconds. Please take time to familiarize yourself with your lamp.
  • If you wish to do a third layer of colour (if you prefer to have a deeper more solid colour), please ensure the layers are applied thinly and each nail and layer is effectively capped for best results.

Nail Gel

How to soak off Sugar Skull Gel


  • Step 1:

    Buff the surface of the nails to open the product up to allow absorption.

  • Step 2:

    Soak a cotton pad in acetone, place onto nail and wrap finger in a foil square.

  • Step 3:

    Wait 10-15 minutes. The gel should easily lift off the nail. Give the nail a gentle scrape with your wooden scraper. Please don’t peel the gel off the nail. Be patient and allow the acetone to remove the product to avoid damaging the nail bed.

  • Step 4:

    Lightly buff the nail clean to get rid of any excess product. Easy!