UV Gel! Help!

[emily22]

hi all!

Last night we had a go at UV gel extensions at college. I loved them! Only prob is im a little confused with the application! - Once again; ive ended up with the tutor who contradicts everything she says! (Had her for my manicure course before!).
She told us to apply 3 layers of gel (curing for 2mins in between) and gently shaping after applying and curing every 2 layers as well as wiping away any sticky residue after each cure with gel wipe.

Then she tells us that actually you should apply 6-8 layers of gel (again; curing each layer for 2mins, wiping any sticky residue away in between with gel wipe and shaping and smoothing after every 2 layers).

Any way; we practiced on each other last night (luckily), the nails looked lovely, the gel is self-levelling so easy to work with (we are using the Edge UV gels), BUT - by the time i got home some of my tips had come away at the corners and then today most of the gel just came away from my nails. :cry:

Now, i didnt apply my own nails but i know the other girl who did them for me did everything the tutor told us, she prepped my nails properly as well. We did think that the gel was a bit on the thin side but tutor said it was fine.. - but perhaps not?

Could really do with some experienced advice on application of gel from any of you on here if you can...
Like i said, our tutor does contradict herself alot so we are often left confused!!

 

[lilly]

so are you saying she told you to cure wipe apply gel, cure wipe apply gel....? did you buff the shine off each time after the cure before applying another layer? its seems a bit confusing what she has told you ! you should be putting your layer of gel on then curing and ONLY wipe when you have finished your application, if needed wipe, refine, buff shine off, then final layer hth

 

[angel fingers]

wow no wonder you are confused.
although each gel has its own particular way of application some of the general rules apply to most products.
you would not normally wipe off the sticky layer between coats as this layer helps the next one bond.
you would normally file only after your base application was finished and not between layers when building the nails. then finish with a top gel.
but there are various approaches to gel application, i guess you will have to do it the way your tutor tells you to to pass the course, but i think it would be benificial for you to take some further traing in the future with someone who has specialised knowledge in the system you choose to use.

 

[Rosey]

wow - 6/8 layers sounds a lot! If the tips were coming away at the corners then it sounds like there was a problem with tip application. How was the gel coming away? From the sides, back, coming away clean etc? Can you say step by step how you prep as this could help us spot what is happening. x

 

[emily22]

hi, thanks for the replies. She did tell us to wipe before applying the next layer of gel each time - and no she didnt say to remove the shine. She told us to remove the shine only after 2 layers of gel had been applied and cured.

Im going to have a go on my hand trainer today and try it differently and see how that goes.
When the gel came off my own nails it came away at the side walls and literally just peeled away...

For prepping we prepped the same way you do for acrylic.

• Cleanse hands and nails
• dry cuticle work
• remove shine from nails
• dehydrate using opi bond aid (2 coats)
• apply tips and blend (unless using white tips in which case no blending)
• dehydrate again (1 coat)
• primer

 

[bubbabinks]

I've trained with The Edge gels as well hun.
First work in a very thin layer of gel, cure for 2 mins then another cure 2mins and then final layer cure 2 mins - wipe sticky off now, file, buff (if required) topcoat, cure 2 mins.