Should I be using a Builder Gel

nailsbyamy · **Should I be using a Builder Gel -** 01-04-10, 02:58 AM

Hello everyone, Well just when I thought I finally was getting it (had a client come in for a fill 4 weeks after her last fill and not one nail was missing or cracked, with the exception of the outgrowth they looked great). Then today I had a lady come in a week after putting her NNO of gel on and they were cracked. None of them were lifting, just cracking. She said the cracking did not start to happen until a few days after her overlay was done. Am I right in thinking that they were just not built up enough and cracked. I use Light Elegance gels. I really like their one step, because that is the consistency that I am comfortable with, but for my clients who are constantly typing and are a little tougher on their nails, do I need to be using more of the builder gel instead. I have used the builder for sculpting tips and for stress points when using tips, but overlays I usually use the one-step. When I repaired her nails today I used builder gel. I thanked her for her patience and asked her to keep me posted on how they are doing. She is a regular client of mine....she had major damaged done at a NSS. We used a soak off gel every couple of weeks (for the past couple of months) until her nails strengthened up a bit, and once they seemed stable enough we went to the Light Elegance gel. Any advice is appreciated.

angel fingers · 01-04-10, 09:11 AM

i think you did the right thing.

cracking usually indicates that the stress area needs fortifying. even on a nno it is needed if the natural nails are very thin and flexible or are quite long. i think your problem will be solved by what you did.

nailsbyamy · 01-04-10, 06:51 PM

Thank you. I appreciate your help. I ordered some more builder gel so I can use it more often.

geeg · 01-04-10, 06:59 PM

I think you did the right thing too. It's all a process of learning about how your clients lifestyle impacts on her nails. I like the way you thanked her for her patience .. very nice because that is what it takes on both yours and the client's part when building a lasting relationship. well done.

nailsbyamy · 02-04-10, 01:36 AM

Thanks Geeg,
I am new to nail technology, and although each week I do feel more confident and though I know my gel nails have improved greatly, I have been honest with my clients from the beginning about my experience and that I am still learning and trying new things. I believe that is why, even though I have had problems with lifting and popping off especially in the beginning, that I have been able to maintain my regular clients for the time that I have. I am very grateful for them and I am really looking forward to being able to to look back and see how much I have grown as a nail tech. There are days when I have these problems and I get so down and just want to give up, but I promised myself that I HAD to at least give myself two years to learn and gain clients. I had a nail tech friend tell me people give up to easy in this industry and I refuse to do it. I think if you always make sure you take care of your clients and make sure they are getting their money worth, then they will stick with you, and it has worked so far. Thanks for your advice and encouragement.

angel fingers · 02-04-10, 02:09 PM

well i think you have a very good attitude and it sounds like you will be very successful.

geeg · 02-04-10, 02:15 PM

[QUOTE=angel fingers;1036645]well i think you have a very good attitude and it sounds like you will be very successful.[/QUOTE

How spooky ... I repped her for that post and said word for word the same thing this morning! Great minds think alike.

nailsbyamy Geeklin Posts: 40 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Illinois, USA	Should I be using a Builder Gel - 01-04-10, 02:58 AM Hello everyone, Well just when I thought I finally was getting it (had a client come in for a fill 4 weeks after her last fill and not one nail was missing or cracked, with the exception of the outgrowth they looked great). Then today I had a lady come in a week after putting her NNO of gel on and they were cracked. None of them were lifting, just cracking. She said the cracking did not start to happen until a few days after her overlay was done. Am I right in thinking that they were just not built up enough and cracked. I use Light Elegance gels. I really like their one step, because that is the consistency that I am comfortable with, but for my clients who are constantly typing and are a little tougher on their nails, do I need to be using more of the builder gel instead. I have used the builder for sculpting tips and for stress points when using tips, but overlays I usually use the one-step. When I repaired her nails today I used builder gel. I thanked her for her patience and asked her to keep me posted on how they are doing. She is a regular client of mine....she had major damaged done at a NSS. We used a soak off gel every couple of weeks (for the past couple of months) until her nails strengthened up a bit, and once they seemed stable enough we went to the Light Elegance gel. Any advice is appreciated.

Qualifications

angel fingers Grand Geek Posts: 7,393 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: northampton	01-04-10, 09:11 AM i think you did the right thing. cracking usually indicates that the stress area needs fortifying. even on a nno it is needed if the natural nails are very thin and flexible or are quite long. i think your problem will be solved by what you did.

Qualifications

nailsbyamy Geeklin Posts: 40 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Illinois, USA	01-04-10, 06:51 PM Thank you. I appreciate your help. I ordered some more builder gel so I can use it more often.

Qualifications

geeg Judge Gigi-Honorary Geek Posts: 30,187 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Benissa, Costa Blanca, Spain	01-04-10, 06:59 PM I think you did the right thing too. It's all a process of learning about how your clients lifestyle impacts on her nails. I like the way you thanked her for her patience .. very nice because that is what it takes on both yours and the client's part when building a lasting relationship. well done.

Qualifications

nailsbyamy Geeklin Posts: 40 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Illinois, USA	02-04-10, 01:36 AM Thanks Geeg, I am new to nail technology, and although each week I do feel more confident and though I know my gel nails have improved greatly, I have been honest with my clients from the beginning about my experience and that I am still learning and trying new things. I believe that is why, even though I have had problems with lifting and popping off especially in the beginning, that I have been able to maintain my regular clients for the time that I have. I am very grateful for them and I am really looking forward to being able to to look back and see how much I have grown as a nail tech. There are days when I have these problems and I get so down and just want to give up, but I promised myself that I HAD to at least give myself two years to learn and gain clients. I had a nail tech friend tell me people give up to easy in this industry and I refuse to do it. I think if you always make sure you take care of your clients and make sure they are getting their money worth, then they will stick with you, and it has worked so far. Thanks for your advice and encouragement.

Qualifications

angel fingers Grand Geek Posts: 7,393 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: northampton	02-04-10, 02:09 PM well i think you have a very good attitude and it sounds like you will be very successful.

Qualifications

geeg Judge Gigi-Honorary Geek Posts: 30,187 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Benissa, Costa Blanca, Spain	02-04-10, 02:15 PM [QUOTE=angel fingers;1036645]well i think you have a very good attitude and it sounds like you will be very successful.[/QUOTE How spooky ... I repped her for that post and said word for word the same thing this morning! Great minds think alike.

Qualifications