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Date Posted: 14:55:52 12/31/99 Fri
Author: nailsplash
Subject: Re: More questions!!!
In reply to: Pam 's message, "More questions!!!" on 03:12:01 12/31/99 Fri

> Thanks for all your advice on my previous post. I'm
> still trying to master these things! I just can't
> seem to apply smoothly enough that I don't have to
> file at the end of application. I always get those
> little waves and bumps. I tried filing after builder
> gel and then applying two coats of clear gel and still
> got bumps and waves. I tried applying the two coats
> of clear gel, filing, then applying one very thin coat
> of clear gel and it seems it's too thin so it shrinks
> on the sides. If I apply it any thicker, the bumps
> and waves come back!! I guess it really doesn't
> matter if the finished nail is filed,

You can buff and oily buff for a nice even surface with a smooth matte/satin finish and then use clear polish OR just like with acrylics you can use a 3 or 4 way buffer to bring back a hight shine. (Assuming application was perfect with crydatl clear application, perfect prep, and no cloudiness due to micro-cracks or "shock curing", the brand of gel can affect this as well.) Gels are acrylic products, so they can be high shined just as any other nail enhancement or even a natural nail for that matter can be!

>but I just have
> this thing where I really want to end up with the
> shiny look. I have been trying to find classes in my
> area, with no luck at all. I'm in PA, but easily
> acessible to Maryland and Washington. I use Salon
> Essentials IBD.

YOu might want to consider trying some other gel brands of gloss coat to see if you get better results. Some gels do shrink more than others. Basically, the less a gel costs per ounce, the MORE it will shrink. IBD gels are one of the least expensive gels around, especially their gloss coat gels!

>Also, what grit file do you use with
> gels?

Whatever you are confortable with. USUALLY no less than 120 (but some use 80/100 w/ success), most gel techs prefer to work with 180 zebra types, but again it's all personal preferance. Beginners should definetly be using 180 and 240 grits at first till they have an intuitive feel for gels.

>Another question...when someone comes in with a
> tip off and you file natural nail before applying new
> tip and product, do you only have to worry about
> getting all gel off where tip is going to go, or do
> you have to make sure all gel is off entire nail?

You not only don't have to file all the gel off the rest of the nail, you don't even have to file all of it off the free edge where the tip will go! As long as the gel is flush and blended, crystal clear, and completely secured to the nail (no lifting, etc) there is never any need to remove it! Glue will hold up better longterm when applied to other acrylics (plastics, such as tips or gels) than it will to a natural nail! Just be sure that all shine is removed from the gel, that it is thin, and is basically undectable. Of course, if the reason the gel nail extension broke in the first place was due to improper prep or application, contaminants, etc, then you should remove it all!

>I'm
> so used to just soaking product off and it seems like
> this is so much filing (definitely taking a toll on my
> shoulder and arm muscles!) I really would love to
> take a class. Any input would be so greatly
> appreciated. Thanks so much!!

Gel should be very easy to file! The brand you are currently using is in my opinion actually more like an acrylic than a gel, so it is of course going to file more like an acrylic than a gel! IBD gels are not cured for a full 24 hours according to them, so they will behave more like an acrylic would! I would definetly suggest trying another brand unless of course you are otherwise completely happy with that brand! In that case you would be advised to call IBD directly for technical assistance.

Good luck, and be sure to re-read all of my gel nail pages and hints and tips and FAQ's, etc, for more troubleshooting techniques at www.nailsplash.com.

----Barb!

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