How to cure short gel nails

I'm really new to this and I didn't see any previous posts on this, so does anyone have hints or tips on how to cure the glue on short gel nails? I'm not sure how I can press them down while flash curing to remove any air bubbles when my other finger is in the way. They're too short to hold them by the tip. I've tried the clear plastic clips but they just don't grip strong enough. I've tried different thicknesses of nail glue. Maybe there's a brand that will hold better while curing? Could I mix it with a non-gel nail glue? What else can I try besides just using a longer nail? Any help is greatly appreciated.