Transfer foils for nails are wafer-thin, transparent carrier foils that have been coated with a design foil. These mostly shiny metallic foils can be attached to the nails with the help of a foil adhesive.
The great thing about this so-called fingernail foil is that these foils offer a great opportunity, especially for nail art beginners, to stage the nails effectively.
Transfer foils are available in many different designs – either only in a monochrome metallic look, in a glitter design or with different patterns.
The effect foil changes the appearance of the nails in a few moments and gives them a metallic look. Either only small areas, larger areas, French tips or even entire nails can be worked with it.
With transfer foil it is important that the shiny side is on top. It doesn’t matter which way round the film is applied. The matte side must be placed on the nail.
There are several ways to attach the transfer film.
Transfer Foil on Gel Nails – Step by Step
If you don’t have foil adhesive or special foil gels ready, you can also use gels that develop a strong sweating layer.
For foil designs you need gels that have a strong sweating layer. Therefore, a black UV color gel is usually best suited as a base. But you can also work with building gels, sealing gels or 1-phase gels.
Which gel is used is up to you. However, if you want to put the foil on the structure, you must first cure, clean and file after the structure. Then another thin layer of build-up gel where the film is to be placed.
At the end of the modeling, harden the build-up gel, color gel, sealing gel – or 1-phase gel as usual in the UV lamp for about 120 seconds or under an LED nail lamp for 60 seconds.
Then place the matt side of the transfer film directly into the sweating layer of the gel. Then apply the foil with your finger for about 10 seconds with a little pressure. Alternatively, the film can also be pressed firmly with a rosewood stick or a cosmetic silicone brush.
Now pull off the transfer film as a whole with a strong jerk. This can be repeated as often as necessary for a perfect result.
Expert tip: In order for this to hold better, the film can be hardened for max. 30 seconds under the UV lamp / 15 seconds under the LED and only then be removed.
Finally, simply seal with a sealing gel, wipe off and the nail foil design is ready.
Step by step variant with film adhesive
But there are also special transfer foil adhesives. They have been specially developed for transfer foils and ensure that the transfer foil can be optimally applied to the nail.
The foil adhesive is available in a bottle with a practical brush. The advantage is that individual patterns can also be applied with the fine brush, so that only small areas or, for example, French tips can be brushed on. This means that the transfer film can only be placed in a few places. Smaller patterns can also be cut out and placed on the nail in a targeted manner.
- Apply Shellac, UV nail polish or UV color gel and cure.
- Remove sweat layer.
- Brush the foil adhesive onto the nail and wait until the milky appearance has completely disappeared and the foil adhesive is completely transparent (takes approx. 2 minutes).
- Place the transfer foil on the nail and press firmly and then pull off with a jerk.
- Seal and done!
Step by step variant with foil gel
Applying a transfer foil with a special gel, which serves as an adhesive for the foil on the nail plate, works best.
- Apply Shellac, UV nail polish or UV color gel and cure. Remove sweat layer.
- Apply foil gel and harden. Sweat layer must remain on it
- Place the transfer foil on the nail and press firmly and then pull off with a jerk.
- Seal and done!
