I'm a new nail technician and one of my services are acrylics. I enjoy doing them but most of the time they can be a pain. I recently done a set and they turned out really good. I was very happy with the results. But my friend said they fell off like 3 days later. I know that's because I didn't seal them. But I'm still having trouble with that. Also having trouble getting the acrylic around the sidewalls and the cuticle without the product running down the clients fingers. And so it always turns out to be a big mess. I've tried 3 different brands, one from O.P.I that I didn't care much for. Another from Aspire that I didn't like at all. And another odorless brand that I loved. But all 3 have their ups and downs. Can anyone help me?

What product line were you trained with in school?
Just out of my curiosity, how many hours were required in school for a manicurist license in your state?

Did you see your friends nails? The reason i ask is that nails don't 'fall off' - the more likely scenario is that she may have had a bit of lifting and helped them off! If this has happened it's probably down to prep, not using sealer.

It really sounds that you could do with some one to one as you need to SEE what your doing wrong and have someone watch you. For product to be running down fingers there is an issue with your ratio being too wet.

Unless you've been trained in all three systems that you are using you will have problems as all systems have their own way of working. Do yourself a favour and go back for some extra training.

May I suggest you go to the tutorials section and spend some time with Gigi's tutorials? She has a great one in there about your mix ratio - as there is a real danger of overexposure if your product is running on the clients fingers. She has also put together an amazing step-by-step tutorial from zone 1 to 3. I am sure it would really help. There is also one there from Samuel Sweet on the perfect prep. Hope this helps and good luck! L&P will be your best friend once you have mastered your technique.

mmm your ratio is too wet

it wouldn't be the brands are not good/workable.. you just need practice and experience to find out what you are doing wrong. Keep trying and working on friends/family and even yourself. wearing them yourself helps alot because you can see and feel how well they work and last and why, etc..

After reading your post I say stick to one brand you need to give a product a good run before you switch as you need to know the workings of each one in order to get it right. I suggest going back to the one you trained with as you have spent the longest with it (possibly) now you need regular practice (daily) and you need to go back to basics - start by picking up beads, your mix is incorrect so practice on a plastic sheet and pick up small, medium and large beads they should all have the perfect consistency and should settle after 123. Have a look at your prep and product placement and ask a few friends to wear your nails and let you monitor their success.

Good Luck