Should I change to Gel?

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angelnails

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Hi Guys,

Due to work and home commitments I have not visited this site for a long, long time.:sad: I previously trained with Creative taking both L&P and Fabric courses, as you know these options can sometimes require a fair amount of filling, I'm currently seeing a specialist for joint/Rheumatism problems, and feel that I need to change the direction that my life is taking, at present I have a stressful full time job in sales and feel this is not helping my health. As mentioned earlier work and home commitments have stopped me pursuing a career in nails,:cry: I now wish to pick up where I left off by putting all my previous training and hard work into action I’ve talked about it for long enough now I need to put my money where my mouth is. Hence the reason for this post:-

Gel Nails seem to have really taken off, I’ve just had 2 tips and a Gel overlay applied at my local salon, I was really impressed with the minimal filling the Gel application seemed to require.

After giving it some thought I’m very interested in Gel nails but I have a few queries/questions that I could do with your input on-

The nails were applied 3 days ago I have noticed that the gel has some clouding/lifting by the cuticles, is this normal or due to poor application/technique?

The Nail technician seemed to do excessive filling (Imo) of the natural nails with a very course file again is this normal with Gel?

I had 2 split nails which had to be cut down and tipped as the Tech advised that you cannot repair split nails with gel. Is this correct?

I had 2 layers of gel applied to the nails which I must say look very thin and natural, is this enough to give me 2 weeks between maintenance visits?

Also what happens with Rebalancing and maintenance how much filling is required?

Finally which product/brand I’ve always been a creative girl how do they fair in the gel world?


Look forward to your replies

Katie
 
OK, the amount of filing depends on how well you apply your product - too much product applied just needs to be filed off to make the finished nail thin.

If you improve your technique then you will cut down the amount of filing you do - scuplt with your brush not your file.

If applied correctly, there should be no more or less filing with a gel nail than any other kind of nail.

The down side with gels is they need to be filed off to remove rather than soked off.

As you are already a Creative gal then you could take a look at Brisa or another good brand is Akzentz.
 
I see you are in the same boat as me!! I quit doing nails for a few years, had decided my body can't take it. So I'm trying to focus on gels to cut down on the filing time, I did a full set of gels a couple days ago, I felt no neck, back, or wrist pain afterward! So I think I'm ready!! Besides I miss it so much I just might kill myself doing it, I don't care!!

I am having some lifting problems too, but I did notice if the gel is too thin, it tends to lift. As you said the technician applied the gels really thin, thats when a builder comes in handy..

So January 15 is the big day for me! I'm trying to feed myself full of knowledge and ideas, I think I'm going to do just fine! I'm sure you will too!

Good Luck!
 
Just a few points for you about gel nails (well the product I use anyway)

I use Calgel which is a soak off gel.

Clouding and lifting at the cuticle would be due to poor preparation not the gel.

I can repair splits in nails with silk and then gel layers over the top so I don't have to cut them off and use tips.

The maintenance and infills will depend on the make of gel. My clients go 3- 4 weeks before they need infills.

Everyone will have their own opinions on the best product and gels as we all like our own. Research and request lots of info about gel makes and then go for it.

Hope that is of some use to you.
 
I don't think gels have the same strength as acrylic, perhaps if you perfected your acrylic technique that would be more helpful. Also how can you be "impressed" when after 3 days they are clouding and lifting? If my nails were lifting/clouding after 3 days i'd be bloody dissapointed. Just like any system they have to be prepped correctly, there are "NO" shortcuts. The secret is the first time you do them, if you do them properly, then next visit will be easy, if you do a crap job the first time, when they come back you got your work cut out for you, it's that simple.
 
I previously trained with Creative taking both L&P and Fabric courses, as you know these options can sometimes require a fair amount of filling.
Fabric requires very minimal filing, L+P shouldn't require much filing either, providing your application technique is on the ball.

I now wish to pick up where I left off by putting all my previous training and hard work into action I’ve talked about it for long enough now I need to put my money where my mouth is. Hence the reason for this post:-
I personally think that for you to have minimal filing of your L+P you should invest some money into a skillbuilding class, learn to shape the enhancements with your brush and not by filing.

Gel Nails seem to have really taken off, I’ve just had 2 tips and a Gel overlay applied at my local salon, I was really impressed with the minimal filling the Gel application seemed to require.
If gel is applied correctly it requires no more or less filing than L+P.

The nails were applied 3 days ago I have noticed that the gel has some clouding/lifting by the cuticles, is this normal or due to poor application/technique?
Yes

The Nail technician seemed to do excessive filling (Imo) of the natural nails with a very course file again is this normal with Gel?
No, it isn't necessary to use a coarse grit on the natural nail, a 240 is sufficient as all you're doing is removing the shine, the covalent bond is created by the product, not by etching the nail.

I had 2 split nails which had to be cut down and tipped as the Tech advised that you cannot repair split nails with gel. Is this correct?
One of my clients damaged her thumbnail recently (NNO), she lost the whole overlay, she had a split on each side of her nail in zone 2, I didn't have my fibreglass wraps with me and used Brisa gel as normal, no problems whatsoever.

I had 2 layers of gel applied to the nails which I must say look very thin and natural, is this enough to give me 2 weeks between maintenance visits?
If the gel is applied correctly there's no reason why you couldn't go 2 weeks or longer between maintenance appts.

Also what happens with Rebalancing and maintenance how much filling is required?
The same as L+P, buff/file what you need to remove.

Finally which product/brand I’ve always been a creative girl how do they fair in the gel world?
Brisa is a Creative product, it's a buff off gel, very strong, it's a hypoallergenic gel and a lot of research went into it before it was released.
hth's
 
I agree with all the above and Zoo and Sandi 100%.

Gels are not a quicker method or an infallible method .. as you have seen.

Why you think there is less filing when using gels is beyond me .. As with any system, the amount of filing depends on how well you apply the product in the first place.

However, if you want to add gel to your list of service options to satisfy any client demands, then Creative do a wonderful strong gel called Brisa ... same prep, same prep products, same great training as you have already had but with gel techniques.

I would never change from one system to another, but I would certainly add another system to my menu for client choice.
 
Hi there

I have been an avid CND L&P technician for many years ignoring gel systems until Creative Nail Design released their Brisa Gel system.
After taking the Brisa class & struggling with the different application technique I know find it a valuable asset to the business.

The benifits of the odourless properties especially when other salon systems we use have such pleasant fragrances are a draw card creating an opportunity to offer an alternative system.

Until we move to new larger premises[within the next month] I am promoting & having more clients requesting Brisa gel service's, so lucky I have it available otherwise its money walking out the door!

HtH

XX J XX
 
I am a 100% CND L&P Trained technician. Have yet to be trained with Brisa, I was trained with light elegance. I feel that gels are a lighter form of enhancements, seem to file a lot easier. The application process is alot different with light elegance than with L&P. Like I said I have never used Brisa so I'm not sure of that application process, but I don't see it being a whole lot different. Although I still feel that L&P is a much stronger form. But if the gel is applied right and you have a 'good' client they will last just as long.

I have joint problems and I know from experience that gels are alot easier for me to apply & file repetitively. I have to look at gels from a completely different angle than with L&P, its not as hard on my back.

So I really love L&P and I will forever be a L&P girl but Gels give me a break, so I am trying to focus on getting an even amount of both of them..
 

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