Just got Gelished Up! Hmm...calling all Gelish Geeks!

[ChelleConnor]

Hiya Geeks!!
Youve probably seen me post quite a bit about Gelish!!
I am now about 90% I will train with Gelish and offer this service!
However after having my treatment I have a few questions!!

I picked out a colour on the swatches and havent got the colour I chose! The therapist put this down to the layering. Now my impression of layering was you paint one coat of colour on then paint another coat on once cured.
She mixed the colours on tin foil... Is this correct? My nails are different colours!! None are the same!

If I learn Gelish would I still need to train in Shellac should I change my mind or want to offer both? (Im finding everyone knows about Shellac more than Gelish)

You cant use a Gelish lamp to cure Shellac? This is correct?

The therapist used a nail file to buff my finger nails then buffed them with a buffer. Ive read some therapists here do not buff the natural nail. How are you finding this??

I hope im not bugging anyone with my questions. I just like to know the in and outs of the product im offering x

[nicole333]

Gelish is great, but it sounds like your experience wasn't so great!

Your nails shouldn't have been different colours and you are right, layering is about using one colour, curing, then another colour. Some people do mix the gel polishes, but it's common sense to mix enough for a total application. I don't know Nail Harmony's official stance on mixing though, it would be good to find out.

The buffing should be to gently remove surface shine, did she say why she used a file and a buffer? I am one of those who no longer buff prior to Gelishing and have noticed no difference.

Shellac is a different product and I love it equally to Gelish. They can work well together side by side and many people on here do offer them both.

You have to use the CND Brisa lamp or CND 5 finger lamp for Shellac.

Hope I havn't missed anything out. Do you know about the Gelish lovers group on here?

[K-Nails]

Hi,

Ok I do shellac and trained in it so here is what I believe to be right by shellac which shouldnt be much different to gelish really in application. Although the systems are different.

Layering is when you apply one colour, cure for alloted time, then add your layer colour over the top, cure again, do topcoat.

As far as Im aware the CND Lamp can be used for any system. However not all other lamps can be used for shellac. (correct me someone if I'm wrong)

When buffing the natural nail (which you dont do with shellac), the highest grit you would use would be a 240 buffer. The CND koala is perfect for this and obviously if you are trained doesnt cause any damage.

Shellac is awesome although Gelish does some beautiful colours. Too many for me cause I would want them all, plus being mobile its not really practical to try and carry Shellac and Gelish. I opted for Orly because the limited colours really appealed to me. I only have a few colours to help a couple of my clients who just cant wear shellac because their nails are so unstable. Mind you Ive yet to try the Orly on them. Good luck in your choice. If I ever get a salon I will be the first to add Gelish. karen xx

[ChelleConnor]

Hi Nicole!
Thanks for your replies!!
Will be heading over to the Gelish group now, I completely forgot xx

[ChelleConnor]

Thank You Karen!!
I was set on learning Gelish but my mum will not stop about how much her work mates go on about Shellac so now im thinking of offering both!!
So the Shellac lamp definitely cures Gelish as well?
Would you mind pming the price of the Shellac Lamp so I can compare to Gelish?
I wouldnt carry both systems around, Id find out what the client wanted then bring the correct system. Would that work? xx

[Debs001]

Hiya Geeks!!
Youve probably seen me post quite a bit about Gelish!!
I am now about 90% I will train with Gelish and offer this service!
However after having my treatment I have a few questions!!

I picked out a colour on the swatches and havent got the colour I chose! The therapist put this down to the layering. Now my impression of layering was you paint one coat of colour on then paint another coat on once cured.
She mixed the colours on tin foil... Is this correct? My nails are different colours!! None are the same!

If I learn Gelish would I still need to train in Shellac should I change my mind or want to offer both? (Im finding everyone knows about Shellac more than Gelish)

You cant use a Gelish lamp to cure Shellac? This is correct?

The therapist used a nail file to buff my finger nails then buffed them with a buffer. Ive read some therapists here do not buff the natural nail. How are you finding this??

I hope im not bugging anyone with my questions. I just like to know the in and outs of the product im offering x

No you should not have different colour nails and how can she guarantee the same colour every time unless she measured very precisely and mixed well.? Sounds a bit messy and a bit lazy.:irked:

[geeg]

If you really want to trial a product fairly then you should always go to a distributer approved technician ... not just anyone. With a distributor approverd technician you know you are seeing and getting what you should be seeing and getting and not some fly by night who is not approved. It is not fair to the product to just book in anywhere. I wish you could do that, but sadly ... you can't.

[ChelleConnor]

If you really want to trial a product fairly then you should always go to a distributer approved technician ... not just anyone. With a distributor approverd technician you know you are seeing and getting what you should be seeing and getting and not some fly by night who is not approved. It is not fair to the product to just book in anywhere. I wish you could do that, but sadly ... you can't.


I found this salon through the Nail Harmony UK Salon Locator :(
On the plus side without sounding rude I am sure I will be able to do a better job so its installed some confidence already. It has also made me want to do so well and not give my clients this experience!!

[K-Nails]

Hi hun,,

Ok Ive been looking through some of Geegs answers with regards to the CND lamp and I may have been wrong :sad:.

Geeg might be able to come on here again herself and provide an answer but according to Doug Schoon your should use the lamp appropriate to the manufacturers product otherwise there is a risk of under or over curing. Hopefully Geeg will come back on here and give us some info. sorry hun. If not would be worth speaking to S2 direct. xx

[nicole333]

As a bench mark for how it should be done, you could go to the Gelish distribution and training academy in London. You should be able to find their details on the NH website, if not do a search for Thalia Nail and make up studio.

[geeg]

If your manufacturer tells you that any 36 watt lamp will cure their product, then the CND Shellac lamp is the best you could buy for the money. I am told reliably that the The Shellac UV Lamp will cure gel products just beautifully. But I would always say, check with the brand manufacturer.

It is not wattage that cures Shellac and you DO need the Shellac UV Lamp to effect a complete cure of Shellac. No insurance cover if you do not use it.

[ChelleConnor]

If your manufacturer tells you that any 36 watt lamp will cure their product, then the CND Shellac lamp is the best you could buy for the money. I am told reliably that the The Shellac UV Lamp will cure Shellac just beautifully. But I would always say, check with the brand manufacturer.

It is not wattage that cures Shellac and you DO need the Shellac UN Lamp tp effect a complete cure of Shellac. No insurance cover if you do not use it.

Thanks Geeg. No one has told me anything yet im just purely wondering before I invest!
If Shellac cures both Shellac and Gelish I will purchase the Shellac lamp.
I dont want to invest in a Gelish Lamp find two months down the line that I want to also offer Shellac and then have to buy a Shellac Lamp when I could have done this in the first place x

[Debs001]

I had my nails shellacked by an 'approved' salon (well they're on the CND website) and the technician didn't have a clue, cured base for 2 mins, left a gap from the cuticle that looked like 2 weeks regrowth, lumpy nails, and offered to infill when I said about the gap! I had them redone in the end but took them off within a day as I was so embarrassed by them as they still looked horrible.

If you choose Shellac or Gelish, Just strive to do a better job and your work will speak for itself, now you know what it's like to receive shoddy service, make sure you try our best for your clients and if it's not right, start again, don't try to cover it up, and don't try to wing it like Geeg says or you'll be a fly by night too. And try to use the full systems as you know you can have faith in it and you will look more professional. :|

[ChelleConnor]

I always put 100% to my clients anyway!!
What you say is very true. If anything its influenced me to always give the best service to my clients. Make sure they are happy and that I give them what they want, not what I think looks ok. Im quite suprised that Gelish have this salon listed on their website to be honest!! For Gelish to have it on their website I thought I would have received a top treatment!! x

[geeg]

I had my nails shellacked by an 'approved' salon (well they're on the CND website) and the technician didn't have a clue, cured base for 2 mins, left a gap from the cuticle that looked like 2 weeks regrowth, lumpy nails, and offered to infill when I said about the gap! I had them redone in the end but took them off within a day as I was so embarrassed by them as they still looked horrible.

If you choose Shellac or Gelish, Just strive to do a better job and your work will speak for itself, now you know what it's like to receive shoddy service, make sure you try our best for your clients and if it's not right, start again, don't try to cover it up, and don't try to wing it like Geeg says or you'll be a fly by night too. And try to use the full systems as you know you can have faith in it and you will look more professional. :|

There are no Shellac Approved salons in the UK at the moment; that programme will be started shortly :D and every salon will be vetted for using the complete system and doing the job correctly IN PERSON before they will recieve the official approval which will be noticable to all.

A buyers list on the CND USA website is not the same as an approved Shellac salon ... people only have to send in a card to be on the users list; they will have to do much more to receive approval. This approval will go a long way towards separating the "sheep from the goats" so to speak, AND will be noticeable to everyone who enters the salon and there will be a meaningful list for clients to search. We definitely want to honour those who are using the whole system, have taken education, and who are using the correct protocols.

I always put 100% to my clients anyway!!
What you say is very true. If anything its influenced me to always give the best service to my clients. Make sure they are happy and that I give them what they want, not what I think looks ok. Im quite suprised that Gelish have this salon listed on their website to be honest!! For Gelish to have it on their website I thought I would have received a top treatment!!


As I say, a users list is only that .... a list of people who have bought the product. No guarantee at all that they are using it correctly, using the right lamp or not mixing systems.

[Debs001]

There are no Shellac Approved salons in the UK at the moment; that programme will be started shortly :D and every salon will be vetted for using the complete system and doing the job correctly IN PERSON before they will recieve the official approval which will be noticable to all.

A buyers list on the CND USA website is not the same as an approved Shellac salon ... people only have to send in a card to be on the users list; they will have to do much more to receive approval. This approval will go a long way towards separating the "sheep from the goats" so to speak, AND will be noticeable to everyone who enters the salon and there will be a meaningful list for clients to search. We definitely want to honour those who are using the whole system, have taken education, and who are using the correct protocols.

Yes, I have contacted CND to say it doesn't reflect well but it was just a salon locator not an approved salon (at the time I thought it was the same thing), so will be good when they have their approved list to stop people thinking as the salon is on their website they are endorsed by the brand.:|

[K-Nails]

This site is just soooooo helpful.

I have emailed Orly direct to ask about their product and the CND Lamp. I have literally bought a couple of colours just for 3 clients who I'm having real problems with. However as my insurance company are fine with me using the products I want to make sure they are cured correctly.

Will let everyone know my findings when Orly get back to me.

Cheers again Geeg. Always a wealth of knowledge.
Ps Cant wait to try out my tea light on Monday lol. xxxx

[geeg]

This site is just soooooo helpful.

I have emailed Orly direct to ask about their product and the CND Lamp. I have literally bought a couple of colours just for 3 clients who I'm having real problems with. However as my insurance company are fine with me using the products I want to make sure they are cured correctly.

Will let everyone know my findings when Orly get back to me.

Cheers again Geeg. Always a wealth of knowledge.
Ps Cant wait to try out my tea light on Monday lol. xxxx Oh .. did you get a good one? You will love it. Mine looks like a massive diamond with a hole in it for the light. Actually I have about 6 different ones. lol

[K-Nails]

Lol

you so know you have started a war in my house. My husband took one look and said 'Oh no not another collection!!!

Its gold and heavy and very pretty, and if it doesnt do the job it will look lovely in my livingroom lol.

Guess what popped in to my friends house and she is having a candle party on friday night. OMG she gave me a catalogue I dare not even look in it. If there is gorgeous tea light holders in there thats it. DIVORCE is imminent. xxx