Hi Ladies,

I'm new to the forum, and have a few questions about Ez Flow and CND:
I am about to purchase the gel and acrylic systems, however I'm torn between the two brands.

I'm looking for a product that is odourless and non toxic, which brand offers both of these characteristics (both gel and acrylic)?

I've heard of gels/powders burning clients, what chemical is the cause of this and which products omit this chemical?

What is the benefit of primerless monomer? Why do so many nail techs prefer this?

When using the gel system, do you use acrylic nails and then apply the gel instead (as you would on normal nails) of the acrlyic powder?

A salon owner told me acrylics/gel are horrible for your nails, so she resorts to "nail dipping". Is there any truth to this?

I think that's all for now - thanks in advance!

Please excuse me if I'm out of order, but these questions sound like you haven't had much nail training. If you are going to embark on a career as a Nail Tech you really need good thorough training....... I hope I've helped a bit, although I could help more if you fill out your profile so I know what stage of your nail career you are at.......

Hi Vetty! Thanks so much for your response. Yes I am very new to all of this. I am going to take a basic mani/pedi course - but I wanted to purchase the nail system and teach myself for the time being as the basic course does not cover artifical nails. I've been watching tutorial videos and doing reseach (I know this doens't compare to in class learning, but I'm so eagar!)

Can you explain the techique of nail dipping?

Most importantly, is there a eco-friendly/safer way to remove acrylic nails? 100% pure acetone sounds damaging. Perhaps there is a proper technique for this as well?

TIA!

please dont attempt to teach yourself.
not only could you do some damage, but you will not be properly qualified to treat clients.
it is obvious from your questions that you have very little knowledge of the subject and you really must get some proper training.
you can do untold damage with these chemical products if you do not know about their professional usage.
acetone like all other nail chemicals is perfectly safe to use if you are professionally qualified to do so.

Nobody on here will tell you the techniques of any nail application until you are trained,
once you are trained we will all bend over backwards to help you,
your enthusiasm is great but these are chemicals and can be dangerous if you don't know what they are about and how to use correctly

Who do you intend to practise on?

As you have probably read on other threads, if you have not done any training don't bother practising just in case you pick up bad habits and if you are intending to practise on a person you could end up damaging them.

Quick dip I would never use on clients as any one can do it. It involves no skill whatsoever and I only ever use it on myself if I don't have much time as it is really quick .

I would just spend your money on taking a course in acrylics or gels hth xx

Ladies,

I am well aware of the dangers of improperly using any type of chemical, I absolutely know I can not practise on anyone until I finish school. I bought a few nail tips and a practice hand to work with. I'm sure this is fine for now?

Thanks

can i just ask...what are you going to practise...?? how can you practice something that you haven't been shown how to do yet...??

You have to be shown...taught skills and then practise those skills and what you have been taught.

As I mentioned previously, I've been watching tutorial videos from Young Nails. I'm not stupid, I understand becoming a nail tech requires skill, but I would still like to give it a try. It's not like I'm teaching myself, to practice on anyone else.

I am sure your not stupid hun...best of luck x

This is not about being stupid or not hun,
I am sure nobody thinks that of you,
And we realise you wont be teaching yourself, as you can't teach yourself something you don't know.

At one time most of us have probably imagined "doing nails" was easy
I know I did.
BUT....It isn't...sure some pick it up quicker than others as with anything.
You only have to have a look through some of the threads on here to see how many of us who have put the hours into training with a college or an educator still face problems day to day.
This is after learning the contra indications, and chemical make up of the products etc....

Nobody is being rude on this site by not offering their help in "teaching" you how to do nails hun, on a nail trainer or otherwise,
Its just this is a professional site, for professionals and I am sure you would agree it would be totally unprofessional for anybody to do so.

You can't learn properly IMO from a online tutorial etc.....if you could then many of us wouldn't go on to further our education with respectable companies at all.

I for example qualified in college and then took conversions with
other systems as even though I had qualified using one brand of product,
when I decided to swap to a better known, higher quality brand,
I knew because of the training I had received That this would be the best thing to do to prevent product breakdown, and to give me and my clients optimum results.

If you practice now, you will probably be practicing a LOT of the wrong thing....
You will then have to unlearn it all, when you decide to take professional education.

You will not be able to learn prep.....care of the natural nail.. some of the most important things when it comes to creating nail enhancements.
In fact all you will be able to do is put acrylic on a false hand (which you will find is totally different to a real nail anyway) and then filing it into some kind of shape !

There is a fantastic tutorial on here to help you to choose the correct training.
Good luck hun x

Ok, I understand. Thank you all for your help!