Crafty 3d Gel Autumn Leaves Nails 
By Susan Loasby - Le Chat Educator

Something crafty for you to try to add dimension to your nails. i have done this set with an autumn leaf theme, but there are limitless possibilities with this technique as paper punches are available in all sorts of shapes.

You will need ;-

Le Chat Gel Cleanser/Sanitiser
Le Chat Top Gloss
Le Chat Protech Finishing Gloss
Le Chat Nail Forms
Le Chat Fairydust Glitter Gel in FD02 Twinkle
Le Chat Colour Gels - 504 bordeaux, 506 copper, 511 pearl green, 522 hot orange
Brown Glitter
Leaf Shape Paper Punch
Curved Scissors
Rhinestones
Cocktail Sticks
Non Stick Paper

Step A

Prepare your sheets of gel colour. Using a cocktail stick, spread a thin layer of the colour gel onto pieces of non stick paper [i use backing paper from nail forms]. Do this for each of your colour gels. some nice effects can be obtained by swirling 2 or 3 colours together on the paper. Cure in a UV lamp for 2 minutes.



Step B

Using the finishing spray cleanse the sticky dispersion layer from your sheets of gel. Carefully peel them off the paper and wipe the backs too.



Step C

Using a paper punch cut out leaf shapes from your sheets of coloured gel. Using a pair of small curved you can use the trimmings to cut out simple oval leaf shapes too.




Step D

Thouroughly prepare the nails by pushing back cuticles and removing all non living tissue from the nail plate. Gently remove the shine from the nail plate with a 180 grit file. Cleanse with le chat nail preparation spray and prime with le chat primer. Fit forms.



Step E

On a piece of non stick paper or in an empty jar, mix some fairydust gel with some copper colour gel. About half a teaspoon of fairydust is enough for both hands, you need about 1/4 of this amount in the copper colour gel.

Step F

Apply the mixed gel to form an extended tip on the forms and about 1/2 way up the nail plate. Cure for 2 minutes.



Step G

Cleanse the sticky layer off the cured gel, but be sure not to wipe the primer off the rest of the nail. Apply [unmixed] fairydust gel to the rest of the nail being careful to keep it away from the surrounding skin.

Step H

Carefully sprinkle brown glitter onto the gel and cure for 2 minutes. Brush off any excess glitter.



Step I

Build the nail shape with more fairydust gel, ensuring a good apex for strength. Cure for 2 minutes.



Step J

Cleanse away the dispersion layer. File the nail into shape. Refine with a white block and wipe away the dust.



Step K

Apply first thin layer of top gloss and cure for 20 seconds. Follow with a second coat and cure for 2 minutes. Cleanse away the dispersion layer.



Step L

Dab a little nail adhesive onto the finished nail with a cocktail stick as required. Use the stick to pick up individual leaves and arrange them on the nail in an overlapping arrangement. Do all nails the same or do as i do and vary the arrangement of the leaves.



Step M

Enhance your leaves with bullion and rhinestones.



Step N

Use the protech top coat to reinforce the leaves for durability. Brush it on lightly between the leaves and on top of them. Cure for 2 minutes. There is no need to cleanse the protech layer as there is no sticky residue with this product. Finish by appling a little le chat cuticle oil to the surrounding skin.



Finished Result

Contact Susan Loasby  angelfingers38@hotmail.com
www.angelfingersnails.co.uk
Photographs by Esme Loasby
Model Rachel Caare.