Been doing acrylics for years and now after being on a two day course with calgel i just cant get the hang of it, especially sculptures... i cant even manage to fix the foils securely..
its a disaster!
ANYONE have any advice ?
thanks

I really only do nno with Calgel, but its a fab gel!
Our resident Calgel experts I am sure will be able to help you!
(calling Debbie Gellies, come in Debbie Gellies, your help is needed, lol)

Are you able to explain what exact problems are you having..?

Is it the product you can't get used to using..? or your brush techniques....? or just simply using gel...?

Let us know and we can help you further.

thanks for your reply, its more the application of gel i suppose.. i just feel i have lost all confidence.

I found Calgel incredibly hard when I first started, I think because it is so different to acrylic, and you get so used to doing acrylic without really thinking about it! Just keep practising, and I am sure you will get the hang of it.

I rarely use sculptures to be honest, only if someone has one repair. Either tips or NNO for me!

i also found the calgel foils were rubbish if you are using them use different ones!!

Keep practicing and it'll be ok. Maybe do a refresher course later if still struggling. Definately helps and also maybe refresh your memory with the DVD provided with the kit.

xxx

99% of my clients are overlays. I hardly ever do extensions and if I do, it is usually for a new client until they grow out their own nails.

The times when I do sculpt, I use CND performance nail forms which are much easier to use than the other ones I have tried. You can buy them from S2 : 0845 210 6060

Calgel is one of the easiest product that I have used, but if you are used to using L+P then gel may be a little tricky for you to start of with.

If you are creating an overlay, then use the gel almost like a nail varnish and brush it on. With overlays, you don't need much of an apex so create layers until it reaches your desired thickness.

If you are doing a sculpture, then you need to change to a different technique to create the enhancement. Do not 'brush' the gel on, instead, try to 'dangle' the gel on to the nail making sure you have created the bulk of the thickness where the apex is for stronger nails.

I always make my nails very thin at the cuticles whether it is an overlay or extension. To do this, I use the 'push and pull' method making sure my brush has the correct amount of gel and not overloaded as this can flood the cuticles. The push and pull method can be learnt here on one of Gigi's articles:

Precision Polishing

Hope this helps.

Such good advice there as always

I actually found the technique very easy to pick up...but then again,i adore gel it is my first love

Only one thing to add,regarding application,and that is using light strokes,and not being too heavy handed.I call it "massaging the nail".

Another analogy....and this is what Debbies Gellies showed me...(wonderful geek she is),is when a lilly pad is on a pond and you are gently moving it about but never actually pushing it under the water,you are just skimming it over...if that makes sense...lol

Going on a refresher course is always a benefit,and a must in this industry,and the training and service from Calgel superceeds all expectations.