Where am I going wrong with gel nails???

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silver_griffin

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Hi everyone,

I have just created my first set of gel nails and I am very disappointed :cry:

I knew I wouldnt create perfect nails first time but I didnt think they would be this bad.

I have included some links below and would really appreciate some feedback on where I am going wrong. In the photos I did the left nail first and the right nail last. On the third nail I thought maybe i should blend the tip more but it has all craked so maybe not lol! I am doing the Essential Nails home learn course on the nail trainer. Although this is only my first attempt if I am missing something I would like to find out now.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Teresa xxx :hug:







http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff94/silver_griffin/06102007128.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff94/silver_griffin/06102007126.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff94/silver_griffin/06102007124.jpg
 
This is a problem with home learn courses, they don't cover ALL the bases and you're left to figure a LOT on your own.

From what I can see, the first thing you need to do is correct the smile line of the white gel BEFORE you cure it.

Watch these videos, Tutorials

And read the tutorials found here on Geek:
http://www.salongeek.com/nail-application/http://www.salongeek.com/nail-application/
http://www.salongeek.com/misc-tutorials/18091-smiles-brisa-paint-white.html
http://www.salongeek.com/misc-tutorials/


These should answer a LOT of your questions and show where you're going wrong.


hth's
 
Thanks Victoria, I will have a look at the tutorials. I am only using one gel, a clear gel after putting on the tips and blending is this where the problem lies? Im doing it exactly as Gina Wallace does in the video but they just dont turn out like hers do.

Teresa x
 
Are you using white tips? That's what it looks like to me. If so you don't blend them! You only blend natural tips!
 
Hi Sassy, yes they are white tips, they are the ones supplied with the course.
 
Hi Sassy, yes they are white tips, they are the ones supplied with the course.

Are they definately white and not a natural colour? I didnt think that they supplied the kits with white tips. Sassy is right and if they are white tips you dont blend that at all. have you contact essential nails and asked them what they think is happening - I am sure they will let you e-mail the photos to them to let you know what is happening.

Keep at it. You will get there.
 
If they are natural tips then it looks as though you have massive air pockets. When I have used the nail trainer in the past I have found this a real problem. Are you using the nail adhesive in the kit? even then it is tricky.

If I can be really honest here we all learn in different ways and I think that this type of home learn isn't suited to you. I know it wouldn't be for me, I much prefer someone actully seeing where I am going wrong and can show me how to correct it. Not sure if you remember the Generation Game but the experts made it look so easy ... and Old Brucie saying that's all there is to it. In my opinion ( and it's only that before someone thinks I'm dissing the way they learnt succesfully) you cannot watch a video of an expert doing it and expect to copy them. Classroom learning is so much easier, so hats off to those that can learn then homelearn route, I know I couldn't!

This may help http://www.salongeek.com/training/27430-answer-most-faq-training-should-i-choose.html
 
The essential Nails Gel course comes with natural tips not white tips. These pictures look like white gel over the tips but as you say it is clear gel.

Are you getting bubbles underneath the tips when applying them to the nails? Maybe this is what the white patches are, when they are filed they will go white as you break through the well of the tip to the adhesive underneath. Maybe look at how you are applying the tips before you move onto the blending part.

Feel free to PM me and I will help you as much as I can xx

HTH

Rachel
 
Have added a couple of photos of the tips I have as these are the only tips I have seen they may not be white lol. Not great pics but hopefully someone will be able to tell.

Teresa x

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff94/silver_griffin/06102007138.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff94/silver_griffin/06102007137.jpg

I think they are natural tips cause of the size of the well on them. As Ladbgemini says it is probably air bubbles under the well when you stick them on the finger.

Dont panic cause I think people have had more of a problem with getting the tips on these trainer hands than doing the enhancement themselves. When you apply the tip make sure you slightly rock the tip to get the air bubbles out before the adhesive sets. It does take alot longer than normal for this adhesive to set so be patient.

You will get there.
 
I think they are natural tips cause of the size of the well on them. As Ladbgemini says it is probably air bubbles under the well when you stick them on the finger.

Dont panic cause I think people have had more of a problem with getting the tips on these trainer hands than doing the enhancement themselves. When you apply the tip make sure you slightly rock the tip to get the air bubbles out before the adhesive sets. It does take alot longer than normal for this adhesive to set so be patient.

You will get there.


The adhesive that comes with the nail trainer is meant to set in the same time frame as normal nail adhesive on real nails, I found all my adhesives set pretty quick on the trainer though. I used to use the edge nail adhesive very sucessfully on the trainer hand.

Try these links

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/50939-help-nail-trainer-gonna-defeat-me.html

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/54239-en-nails-help.html

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/48293-applying-tips.html

HTH

Rachel x
 
The adhesive that comes with the nail trainer is meant to set in the same time frame as normal nail adhesive on real nails, I found all my adhesives set pretty quick on the trainer though. I used to use the edge nail adhesive very sucessfully on the trainer hand.

Try these links

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/50939-help-nail-trainer-gonna-defeat-me.html

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/54239-en-nails-help.html

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/48293-applying-tips.html

HTH

Rachel x

Thats interesting rach cause the adhesive I got from essential nails was a slow setter if you get my meaning :lol:
 
Thats interesting rach cause the adhesive I got from essential nails was a slow setter if you get my meaning :lol:


How odd, was this the one that you got with yours?

Nail Trainer Tip Adhesive. 20ml

It is meant to be chemically altered to have the same setting time on the trainer as normal adhesive has on real nails hence the warning not to use on human hands.

rachel xxx

P.S. get ur a** on MSN i'm all alone there haha
 
Its really hard to tell because the pics are not very good quality but it does look like air bubbles under the tips.

my best advice would be to call essential nails and ask for sarah, i know her personally from working for them and she will be more than happy to help seeing as its her job, but dont be disheartened im sure once you iron out the kinks you'll be doing fantastic in no time.
 
Hi,
I am using the nail trainer, and getting the tips on is the hardest part. It is so frustrating! The glue that comes with it is terrible. The first time i done a set on real hands, could not believe how easy it was to apply tips, because of the trouble with the nail trainer. But thanks to the geek, sorry forgot name, who uses different glue. Because i wanted to try that but thought best not. But now i will.
So if you are having same problem with tips and glue, then i reckon thats why they appear like that. Dont give up, on my first set i nearly packed it in but the next day i done it again and it is gradually getting easier. But deffanetly alot of problems are caused with the nail trainer, well in my case it is. Found it easier with real hands. But the trainer is still good when you are first trying. I like the fact that i can make all my mistakes on it.
Good luck, and try using different glue and even different tips if that helps.
 
Thanks guys, all your advice greatfully appreciated. Gonna try out all your tips and tricks will let u all know ho it goes.

Teresa xxx :hug:
 
i would go back to basics
re read all the info about blending the tips properly
then re watch the dvd, again and again,
its funny how we sometimes blame our tools when we cant get something right!!
the nail trainer is hard to tip, the adhesive needs time to set properly it is all down to patience and practice im afraid!!
i should know i spent hours over the thing, but i was determined not to let it beat me!!
also as has been said before, call them up, thats what they are there for, they are your tutors, so ask them for their help, they are very friendly!!!
 
hi im doing the same course and it can be really difficult im still stuggling with it! i know it says to use the number 13 nail but so not to dishearten you try the no. 9 nail as its so much easier i tried this when i was close to giving in and am now a lot more confident with the no.13 nail howeva thats not to say that it doesnt stick 2 my hand at times and i feel like throwing the trainer across the room!!!!! lol good luck with it xxx
 

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