Hey geeks...

Hope you all had a good Easter break (if you actually managed to get a break) and your all having fun.

Just thought I'd do a quick thread to canvas a few opinions about the versatility of gel.

Are there some instances where you'd automatically reach for your gel pot rather than for l&p for eg? Are there some things you'd just never consider going in gel? Is there anything about it that drives you bonkers? And conversely, why do you love using it so much if it is your preferred system?

Whatever your thoughts, it'd be great to have your comments so that I can publish them in the next issue of Professional Nails.

Please include your full name and business name when responding and feel free to email me or PM me if you'd prefer.

Thanks ever so much...

Kat
xxx

Editor
Professional Nails

Hi Kat
I have to say that i love Gel (my partner prefers acrylic) i find it alot easier to apply the gel than the powder, gel is also easily corrected if any mistakes occur and it so easy to come off as you just file them off, its just the thought of sitting with your fingers in a bowl to soak off the acrylic.

Well where do I start ???
I was always a L&p tech, The reason for that was for me personally L&P was the strongest system and nothing ever came close. Then a few years back after training in gel I started to use it on a few clients and I was shocked at the ease in which I could apply it, I loved the shine and my clients were asking for gel more and more often. The turning point for me now is the strength of the new gel's out there, they are super strong and so easy to use. So now I am no longer just an L&P girl

Nicer-Nails

well since you asked..... still a novice at this and had to do a set of rebalance and found it impossible to cover without the original application of pink showing through the new overlay even though I filed it down as much as possible. Next question how do you do that without it crumbling away and not to show. Found it difficult to place the white to zone 2 without a gap.

advice please.

regards sylvie

Hi Sylvie,

You be better to put your question in the main nails forum.....more people will see it.

I find that gel is more forgiving...I can move it around and have a little "play" time before it sets. Not so with L&P. I also find that I can produce a thinner, more flexible nail with gel, and it will still be very strong.

My clients were a bit aprehensive at first wearing gel, but once on they really enjoyed it.

Ingrid Slatta
Ingrids Aesthetics Salon
Canada

I am trained in both L&P and gel, but much prefer to use gel because not only do I find it easier to apply and remove, it produces a high shine, the variety of colours which are available are plentiful, and although flexible, it is strong and long-lasting.

im a gel geek through and through, i just love the finished effect you achieve. There are coverage gels for extending nail beds or hiding imperfections, bright whites soft whites, colour gels, glitter gels, soak off ...file off........its like being a kid in a sweet shop for me only not as fattening !

i trained and passed my nvq in both gel and l&p and must admit i prefer useing l&p, i dont think gel likes me, i do use gel for the simple overlay or for a french on toes but i tend to reach for the l&p whareever possible

Yeah, usually whenever my husband is around! He hates the smell of monomer!!

Lyndsay Harrold
Tough as Nails
Hampshire

I'm becoming more and more of a "Gel Geek"!!!

I love the clarity, ease of application and beautifully shiney finish of a gel nail.

I've recently added coloured gels to my service menu which my clients are loving!

I love Gels for French it a no mistake application you can get the white as deep and smileing from corner to corner before you cure .Love the shine and being a nail tech my nails use to get trash from doing other peoples nails the acetone and scrub fresh use to damage my polish with a top coat of gel nothing troubles them now.I still use L&P especialy for 3d work or for heavy handed clints such as waitrss, and sports players.

Tricia

Hi Kat,

I am a L&P girl but the time I reach for the Gel is when doing toes. I find it much easier to do the forever french with Gel when overlaying toes....it seems more versatile because you can play with it on the small area of a toe nail before curing, whereas L&P sets too quickly when doing (in some cases) such a small smile line.

HTH

Nikki Austin
Cornwall

I am a l & p girl, I just find gel messy, I know where I am with l & p but with gel I just seem to end up messing with it. Saying that I do love it on my toes.

I do think it is a lot to do with what you are most famililar with, I keep having a go at gel, tonight I decided to put some on myself and it has taken me 3 hours to put gel sculpts on one hand, hence why I am geeking at this hour!!!

Adele
Scratches
Wakefield

I love my gel.
No odour, beautiful shades that can look completely natural and enhancements that are flexible, yet as strong as L&P.
I really look forward to gel clients - it's my favourite system to use.
It really annoys me when clients say they prefer the look of gel but don't think it's very strong, this usually means that they have had gel applied elsewhere and it's not been applied properly. I offer to do a free gel on their pinkie and let them make their own minds up.





Judy Archibald
The Nail Bar