gel velvet nails in light pink and dark pink on hand wearing a gold ring

Velvet nails are the romantic new way to do a metallic mani. Luxe and dimensional, the shimmery look is all about catching the light, giving the appearance of a velvety sheen–minus the fuzzy feel of the real thing. The look began trending last holiday season and it’s only going to gain steam, especially come Valentine’s Day.

With the right supplies and the help of some magnetic gel nail polishes in shades of pink, you can get this light-catching look at home. Scroll on to see how!

Velvet Nails

Supplies:

  • Light pink magnetic gel nail polish (I used Think Of Nail in ‘Pink Salt’)
  • Darker pink magnetic gel nail polish (Think Of Nail in ‘Cherry Coke Red”)
  • Gel base coat
  • Alcohol nail cleanser
  • No-wipe top coat (This will prevent from having to cleanse the nail. I like Tammy Taylor ‘Glass Slipper’)
  • LED light (Le Mini Macaron has a great miniature portable light that is easy to use at home for non-professionals)

Instructions:

hand with clean dry nails prepped for mancure

Step 1: Start out with clean prepped nails, and apply one coat of gel base coat.

Tip: It is very important to have buffed, clean, dry nails before applying a base coat. Cleanse the nail with alcohol to make sure there is no excess oil on nail beds. 

step 2 with pink gel nail polish of velvet nails tutorial

Step 2: Apply a thin coat of light pink magnetic gel polish on your pink and ring finger nail and cure in LED light.

Tip: Depending on the LED light, cure for at least 30 seconds. Each light can be different depending on how strong the voltage is. Check the instructions in your light to know the exact time to cure.

step 3 of nail tutorial with gel magnetic nail polish on 4 fingers in light and dark pinks

Step 3: Apply a think coat of slightly darker pink magnetic gel polish on your middle, index, and thumb, and cure in LED light.

Tip: If you get any polish on your skin, clean up before curing.

hand using magnetic bar to set gel velvet nails

Step 4: Apply a second coat of polish on all nails. Before curing, hold the magnetic bar on the bottom corner, then repeat on the opposite top corner. Repeat on all nails. Once you have achieved the desired look, cure in LED light.

Tips: To prevent the gel from looking too thick, apply very thin coats. Make sure you use the magnetic bar before curing or else it will not work. 

hand curing gel velvet nails

Step 5: Apply gel top coat on all nails and cure in LED light.

Tip: If you are using a no wipe top coat, gentle tap on your nail after curing. If the nail is still sticky, cure for more time.

Did you try this trend? Show us your velvet nails on Instagram @Lulus using #lovelulus and head to our Valentine’s Shop for more romantic picks!

Additional copy by Rachel Aschenbrand-Robinson. Betina is wearing the Amalfi Pavé 18KT Gold Rhinestone Ring.