Flakes are loose pieces of shimmer, shell or flower shapes that you place into gel and seal under a top coat. Transfer foil is a thin printed film: you press it onto a foil gel layer and peel the film away, and the pattern stays on the nail. Flakes add texture and depth; foil adds a flat printed or mirror pattern.
Apply a thin layer of foil transfer gel over cured colour and cure it as its label directs. Press the foil onto the nail with the pattern facing up, rub it down firmly with a finger or a soft tool, and peel the film away. Do not cure again after the foil. Seal with a no-wipe top coat, capping the free edge.
Regular nail glue is not recommended for transfer foil. A gel made for foil transfer gives an even layer that grips the pattern evenly, and it sits inside the gel system so the top coat bonds over it. Glue can leave a bumpy surface and patchy transfer, and it does not wear the same way under gel.
Apply a thin layer of clear or colour gel and place the flakes while it is still uncured, using a dotting tool or tweezers. Cure, then seal the whole nail with top coat, covering every edge of the flakes. A second thin top coat over raised pieces keeps the surface smooth so the edges do not catch on hair or clothing.
Work on a clean, cured base, keep fingers off the foil gel and the film, and seal every design with a top coat that covers the free edge. Thin, even layers hold better than thick ones. When the set comes off, file the top layer to break the seal before soaking, so the remover can reach the gel underneath.