Critique First 2 full sets on myself

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Kaylatru27

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Jan 3, 2022
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Santa Fe, NM
I'm a new nail tech and I'm my state you can get certified through an apprenticeship program so that's what I'm doing. The pictures I've attached are of my first full sets on myself. I'm using valentino nail products. For these sets I used the one step and clear builder gels because my hubby can't stand the monomer smell. It's taking me so long to do one set like 6 hours! The shaping is the hardest part for me. Please help by giving me tips and tricks as well as constructive feedback on my work. I'm getting discouraged. Thank you
 

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Doing your own nails always takes longer, especially with gel. With a client, you can keep working on the 2nd hand while the 1st is in the lamp. Is there someone else you can practice on? Or a practice hand?

I assume you have started your training and know the basics before jumping straight in? I can't really see the nails closely enough to critique properly, but I can see some cuticle flooding. This will improve with practice.

I've been doing builder gel extensions for about 9 months. They take me 1:30-2:30 hours depending on design and condition of the client cuticles. Having a routine really helped me speed up. Do it the same every time and it becomes muscle memory. Good luck!
 
Thank you so much for your reply! Yes I have basic knowledge and I'm going to start on other people very soon. I just caught COVID19 so i can only do myself right now :(. Yes cuticle flooding is hard with gel polish. Also the shape distorts with gel polish. Like I'll have my coffin shape looking like and sharp and then I apply gel polish and it looks like a rounded coffin. Any suggestions? I think I'm putting thin layers because I don't have bubbling like I did before. So suggestions are highly encouraged.
 
Once you've applied your polish, flip your hand over for a few seconds before going in the lamp. It pulls the gel back to the centre of the nail. I also use a soft file on my free edge at the end of the service (after topcoat has cured and cooled). It really tidied up the free edge and refines the shape. But this will depend on the system you use. Some gel systems need to be capped at the free edge

The builder gel I use to overlay and sculpt also required a hand flip. It let's gravity do the work. pulling the apex back into place.

Hopefully they will cover all of this on your training.
 
I was licensed in New Mexico until last year. As I remember, according to the RLD, the only apprenticeship accepted is for barbering.

Where are you ‘apprenticing’, if you will share.
 

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