PSA: Don't Do Your Gel Nails Outside in the Summer!

We love a summer mani as much as any gel nail lover. And getting cute photos for your socials featuring a sunny backdrop is hard to resist. But before you head outside with your UV lamp and gel polish, we have a PSA for you: don't do your gel nails outside in the summer!

While it might be tempting to bask in the sun and do your gel mani to relax, it's actually not the best idea. Or even a good one.

Just as you shouldn't store gel polish in direct sunlight or exposed to high heats, the same goes for actually doing your nails...

We've already hinted at the answer, but no, you shouldn't do your gel nails outside in the summer.

Why? Well, let's break it down.

Taking your gel nail polish bottles outside and letting them sit underneath the sun can cause the formula to cure prematurely. Essentially, the polish will become thicker and harder to work with, or you won't be able to apply it to your nails at all.

But it's not just the polish itself. The polish can cure on the polish brush built into the bottle, causing the bristles to stiffen and dry up.

Gel polish cures under UV light (think about the light that's emitted from the curing lamp you use to cure your gel nails). Well, the sun also emits UV rays, which can cause the polish to cure before you even have a chance to apply it to your nails.

Plus, exposing gel polish to high temperatures can also cause it to separate and become unusable. So not only will you have a hard time applying the thickened polish, but it may also not adhere to your nails properly.

Exposure to intense sunlight and high temperatures can sometimes cause early lifting and peeling of gel nails. But this would require you to sit in the direct sun for an extended period of time.

Usually, gel nails can withstand normal daily exposure to sunlight and heat without any issues.

To make sure your nails last as long as possible in the summer, follow our recommended prep and application steps, which will help your mani last up to 3 weeks.

Capping the free edge of your nails with gel polish is a great way to prevent lifting and early chipping, too. This means applying a thin layer of polish to the very tip of your nail, effectively sealing it in.

Additionally, using a high-quality and reputable gel polish brand can also make a big difference in how your nails hold up in the heat. Cheap products may not have the same strength and staying power as trusted brands – like us here at Mylee.

Our polishes are known to last for up to 3 weeks, so you can trust that your nails will stay flawless through summer.

The sun may be the main culprit in causing gel polish to cure prematurely, but that's not to say you should be doing your nails outside at any other time of year.

In fact, extreme temperatures, whether it be hot or cold, can still affect the application and longevity of your gel polish.

Plus, the sun is out for a good 3 out of 4 months of the year (even with British weather), so the polish will still be at risk of curing during this time.

Not only that, but things like dirt, dust, and bugs can also affect the quality of your mani if you try to do it outside. It's much better to set up a designated area inside.

So, if you can't do your gel nails outside, where is the best place to do them at home? The answer is simple: in a clean and controlled environment. This could be your bedroom, bathroom, or a beauty room.

We also wouldn't advise doing your nails sat on your bed, as tempting and convenient as it may be.

Having a desk or vanity table is much more ideal, as it provides a flat and sturdy surface for you to work on. You don't need an awful lot of room, but just enough space to set up your nail lamp and somewhere to lay your hand comfortably.

Plus, you won't have to worry about any accidents or spills ruining your bedding.

Another important factor to consider is lighting. Natural light is always the best option for doing your gel nails, as it allows you to see the true colour of the polish.

A ring light or LED lamp can also provide good lighting for your nail application. Just make sure the light source is not too harsh, as it could create shadows and make it difficult to see what you're doing.

It's also helpful to have all of your supplies within reach.

Our customers and team particularly love using our Kit Case to keep all of their nail products organised and easily accessible. This way, you won't have to constantly get up and risk smudging your freshly applied gel nails.

This 3-tier case has enough room to store up to 84 gel polishes, as well as all of your other essential nail tools such as files, brushes, and cleansers. It even has a big storage compartment at the bottom for housing your LED lamp!

But what truly sets our Kit Case apart is its portability. It's fitted with a comfy shoulder strap, making it easy to take with you wherever you go. Whether it's to a client's house for a mobile nail appointment or to your friend's place for a pals' night in, this case has got you covered.

Doing your gel mani next to a window is perfectly okay – so long as you're not doing it under direct sunlight.

You can set up your station a little way away from the window to avoid any direct sunlight hitting your nail or polish bottles, and still benefit from the natural light.

It's also worth mentioning that you should move your polish bottles away from the nail lamp when you're curing your nails, as the heat from the lamp can cause the polish to cure inside the bottle.

Keeping it short and sweet: you shouldn't do your gel nails outside, especially not in summer.

The warm weather can certainly be tempting, but the UV rays from direct sunlight can cause your nails or polish to cure prematurely, which can ruin your mani and your gel polish bottles.

Instead, opt for an indoor space with indirect natural light, with plenty of space for your tools and a comfortable place to sit.

We also recommend reading our guide on gel polish storage to make sure you're storing your bottles properly. Nobody wants to have to replace their gel polishes sooner than necessary!