Gel overlays to strengthen natural nails

[sarahnailz]

Hi everyone

I have just started to learn a gel course with EN after completing the acrylic course. I was just wondering if you can use gel to strengthen natural nails without using nail tips. My Mum said I could use her to practice on, but after applying the gel and filing and buffing etc the nails fell off!!!! how embarrassing. I think it was because I forgot to etch the natural nail. I felt a little nervous etching my Mum's nails. How many layers of gel are used? I am sorry for all the questions lol

Thanks

Sarah

 

[tracey louise]

if you have just started learning then why dont you wait untill you have covered this in your course and you know the correct way of applying the gel and then start practicing that way you will know how to do it.
i dont use en gel so maybe someone else can help you as my way of applying the gel may not be a suitable way for you to apply it as i use a different brand.x

 

[Bagpuss]

Its called a NNO (Natural Nail Overlay)

You would prep and do everything the same as you would if you where to tip/sculpt.....The free edge of the natural nail MUST be well capped otherwise the gel can chip off.

If a client come for a full set...anf then returns every few weeks for a re balance, eventually you will have a client left with a NNO as every time you reduced the length you will have been filing away the tip....all tips do is give length and stop the product falling on the floor...:lol:....so if a client was to come with long nails, there would be no need to tip.

 

[akaza]

Hi,

I think the nails came off cause you dint prepare them properly, and possibly didnt seal the free edge!

Next time you are doing someones nails and are worried what they might be thinking, educate them on what your doing.

Eg, next time you are doing your mums nails, tell her you are etching her natural nail to remove the nails natural oils so that the gel will adhere to the nail etc..that way she will feel comfortable that your not doing anything to damage her nails and you can continue to do your job without any pressure!

I use IBD gel, and love the product, but have also heard that EN is a good brand to use.

Hope this helps x x

 

[Bagpuss]

Not wanting to harp on about this as i know we all have different ways to describe the same thing but etching the nail i hope just means removing the shine...as that is all that should be required if using a good product.

I also think the term removing the shine is nicer than etching the nail....etching the nail sounds to me like using a file to create scratches...scratching the nail isn't good...done over and over this will result in thinned nail plates.

 

[akaza]

Not wanting to harp on about this as i know we all have different ways to describe the same thing but etching the nail i hope just means removing the shine...as that is all that should be required if using a good product.

I also think the term removing the shine is nicer than etching the nail....etching the nail sounds to me like using a file to create scratches...scratching the nail isn't good...done over and over this will result in thinned nail plates.

I used the term "etching" as sarah had used it and didnt want to confuse her with any other term as she is new to the industry!

If she was trainned properly then she would know that "ëtching" should be done to remove the shine and not done so that she is causing damage to the nail plate!

 

[Bagpuss]

you'd be surprised !!...

I don't think it does any harm at all just to clarify these things, especially for those who are new to the industry.

 

[sarahnailz]

Sorry, yes I meant buffing away the shine. Just to clarify, you etch the natural nail with a file before you glue the nail tip on? yes? I learnt that through EN for both gel and acrylics. Is this because of the products EN use or for all products?

 

[akaza]

Hi,

I was taught to etch the natural nail plate with a file. I dont use a file much these days as I use my efile for everything other than shaping.. You need to remove the shine off the natural nail for everything you do...it doesnt matter what product or brand you use!

This is the most important step!! The product wont have anything to adhere to if you dont remove the shine (natural oils) from the nail! The enhancement would eventually lift and come off if you miss this step!

 

[Bagpuss]

Hi,

I was taught to etch the natural nail plate with a file. I dont use a file much these days as I use my efile for everything other than shaping.. You need to remove the shine off the natural nail for everything you do...it doesnt matter what product or brand you use!

This is the most important step!! The product wont have anything to adhere to if you dont remove the shine (natural oils) from the nail! The enhancement would eventually lift and come off if you miss this step!

Hi..do you think a efile might be too harsh to use for simply removing the shine on a natural nail...?

 

[akaza]

Hi..do you think a efile might be too harsh to use for simply removing the shine on a natural nail...?

Hi,

I have been trainned with an efile and have been using it for years! I am very careful with how I use my tools especially when it comes to working with natural nails!

 

[Terese]

Even Im going to jump in and say a file is vharsh to remove shine from a nail. I would go and read your info and when you think youve read it...read it again and keep referring to it. Practice after practice after practice always makes nearly perfect