Are these tools really necessary?

[leah82]

OK guys i have a couple of questions, i was thinking maybe they should go in different threads but then thought it might be easier if i just put them all in one so if i've done wrong sorrrrrrrry!!Right here goes:

• Reuseable foils are they any good? I've asked at NSI & they don't sell them. Thought maybe it would be a money saver getting some as i prefer doing sculpts to tips but maybe they don't sell them as they're not as good? I like using the gold foils to the silver horse shoes, but maybe the metal reuseable ones would be better or do they not fit as good/ break easily with constant reshaping to individuals nails?
• Daylight lamps- i don't have one at the moment do i really need to get one as i've read that some of you don't bother esp as you have found it can set the gel/acrylic quicker due to the heat. I have a desk lamp & seem fine with that but now thinking i could be straining my eyes without realising?
• U.V Lamps where would you recommend i get one from? I just use a top coat at the moment, but a couple of peoples nails i do say they like the glossy finish of UV gel coats so want to buy a lamp plus from my experience uv coats are better wearing & less discolouration. I have a perma gloss kit & a GLaze 'n' go which i used when training so would like to use them. I know sally's do them for about £50 where as NSI's are double even tripple that & I can't afford that sort of payout for a while, I know some of you have bought from Sally's, ebay etc... do you think i'm ok doing this? Every penny counts!!
• And lastly drills/e-files!! Where is the best place to get one only really want one for rebalances, cleaning under the free edge etc.... cause surely again you don't have to pay into the hundreds for a good one/brand name? I know you don't all like e-files but they can cut down filing time & all salon/ mobile techs i know/in my area use them. I do prefer using a standard file for most things but sometimes it would be much easier with an e-file!!!

Please don't think i'm wanting to pay less cause my standards aren't high, they are, i'm always wanting to better my experience & produce a higher standard of work, its just i don't have a high income & why pay double the price on things if it isn't always necessary? I love a good bargain lol!! I look forward to hearing from you, please be gentle lol!!

 

[CDN nail chic]

I know what it's like when you are starting out so don't blame ya! Will let you know that I bought some cheaper items and they needed replacing sooner than later and ended up costing me more in the end so something to think about. Can't help you with the UV and Daylight lamps cause I'm no Gel specialist but in my experience I didn't get on with the re-usable forms cause I felt like I couldn't get them to fit every client especially if they had square shaped nails or overgrown hyponiciums (sp). Also found it a pain to sanitize them in between clients when I could just chuck in the bin. And as for nail drills, if you think you need one and can't live without one then don't cheap out too much cause I did and ended up with replacing it within a year and of course they are one of the most expensive pieces of equipment you will buy.

 

[TANYAMORLEY]

hi i bought my uv lamp off ebay for £35.00, not had any probs but do find i have to cure gel for an extra minute. also bought my e-file off ebay from american seller cost me £120.00 and its fab just the same quality as the ones NSI sell. hope this helps.:biggrin:

 

[janjan1]

I bought a star nails lamp off ebay for £35.. Think it retails for about £70. Really pleased with it, Just pulled the sticker off as I use nsi. It was all boxed and looked brand new to me as it was stated. Let me know if you come across a good efile.

 

[Glorsclaws]

Regarding the metal foils/forms I bought a pack once and didnt get on with them as much, I found them a little stiff & unforgiving & if I tried to mould them, they lost their shape all too easily.

I have the Acras in plastic (not to be confused with the cheap plastic ones modelled the same as the metal ones). They are kind of hard to get hold of now but certainly dont get bent out of shape like the metal ones.
You dont have to use those nasty horseshoe forms. Creative Performance forms are great & I tend to jump between the Acra's & Performance.
I know Ez-Flow do great forms and I think the other company could be (but dont quote me) OPI. Have a look at some of these before succumbing to the metal ones.

 

[nailsbydesign]

You do not have to have special lamp to use daylight bulbs as you can get bayonet and screw fixing bulbs that fit in any lamp. The daylight ones are easier on the eyes and I find they give a better light.
Th re-usable forms I found fell apart after a while I too now use CND performance forms and can re-use them so I only use 5 forms for each full set of nails.
You are best to get the UV lamp that goes with the system you are using especially if it is CND Brisa as this deos not cure right under other UV lamps as I found out to my horror.
I personally do not like e-files even though they are quick, as there is always that slight chance even if they are used correctly that you could cause some damage to the clients natural nails.

 

[nailzoo]

i'm probaly answering this faster than i am reading it but, ..... why buy sculpture forms you can only use once? when you can use them over and over, i use the really old fashioned aluminium forms, i can manilulate them as i need, try doing that with a flimsy paper one.
I would never in my life do a nail without a daylight globe, they illistrate to your own eyes what a nail is going to look like when it leaves your salon, it shows "true colouration", both of the acrlic and polish clours, it also provides extra heat when you need it most, also, just for fun, get one, put your brush mat down, then see how much light reflects into your face, daylight globes will not reflect off a brushmat, or desk surface as much as a normal globe, they will stop your eyes from straining as much and will stop your eyes feeling tired.
Over the years many people ask about "secrets" sometimes the secrets are ver simple.
The most importanat part of doing nails is being able to "SEE" .......whats the point of prep, product or talent if you can't see what your doing.
As with just about any reply i make, why not try it before comment, they dont cost much and you will be amazed
Ps only get 60 watt, 100 watt are too strong and most desklamps can't take the higher wattage and will burn out the fittings in the light

 

[Apex73]

I would never in my life do a nail without a daylight globe, they illistrate to your own eyes what a nail is going to look like when it leaves your salon, it shows "true colouration", both of the acrlic and polish clours, it also provides extra heat when you need it most, also, just for fun, get one, put your brush mat down, then see how much light reflects into your face, daylight globes will not reflect off a brushmat, or desk surface as much as a normal globe, they will stop your eyes from straining as much and will stop your eyes feeling tired.

This is a bit of a revelation to me! I've got a regular desk poise lamp, which i got from a nail supplier, and i'm fed up of being half blinded by the glare coming back at me , I was even thinking of getting all black towels to sort this out!
And it makes my gels too runny because of the extra heat (& i only use a 60w bulb).
Hmmm...i feel a shopping session coming on! (like i can afford it...:o )