hey everyone I'm having problems with gel, esp white tips and re-whites, I can get the smile line OK but its getting it smooth and when I buff to try and get the shape the white all buffs off on me!

are you putting a good layer of clear gel over the white...???

are you using POW or sculpting.....?

getting the brush to work for you and getting the product on as smooth as possible is the key....then there is no need for excessive filing afterwards...most gels are self levelling so it is possible. x

ohh also what gels are you using....profile has no details.

Which gel are you using? Is it self-levelling or a thicker sculpting gel?

Edit: I see you beat me to it Angie!

I'm using beauty essentials thick and thin clear and I'm using white young nails nail sculpture I am not buffing excessively though .... I'm trying to get the gel as even as I can and then putting a coat of clear over it after it has cured but my white is looking patchy.

How long have you been trained for Claire?
(can you please fill in your profile, it helps a lot).

How are you applying the white gel?

I've just read your other thread about mixing different gel systems...

Are you using the correct UV lamp for the Young Nails gel? If not then it could explain why your white gel looks patchy, it probably isn't cured enough and that can lead to overexposure.

Check out this article I did, it should help explain about how important it is to ensure the correct UV lamp is used.
Choosing a UV Lamp for your Gel System

The salon i am working for has supplied me with different systems i gave it a go but i know it isnt goingto work out mixing different systmens! I trained 4 years ago with acrylic and gel but mostly done acrylics i think i need to do a refresh in gel tho! i have updated my profile there, i hadnt realised it needed updated as i joined here about a year ago and then forgot all about it lol!

Anything white with gels can be temperamental. The uv does not penetrate the white as well, and also the uv light is bounced back rather than being fully absorbed. One way to get over this is to ensure you aren't apply the white too thick, and to double cure it ie place it under the lamp for double the usual time, 4 minutes rather than 2 for example. Also if you are using white tips this is making it worse!

Make sure as well that you have buffed all the shine off the tip as gel does not adhere at all to shiny surfaces.

Make sure your uv bulbs are changed regularly to ensure a full cure. Just as sunbed bulbs have to be changed regularly as they lose their uv output efficiency after a while.

And as the others have said, be very wary about mixing gel brands like that, as newer products on the market need the right lamp to go with the product.

Finally I think a little training update will pay dividends for you.