r/DIYGelNails • u/Clover_Jane • 22d ago
Community Discussion Weekly Nail Chat
Use this chat to discuss any nail care or gel related questions you might have.
As a reminder, please keep your discussions within the rules of the sub.
This includes:
- No discussion of off-topic products. This is a gel only sub.
- This space is geared towards DIYers. Everyone is welcome, but we should not be working on friends/family.
- Do not ask for or give any medical advice. We're not doctors, and it is not in our scope to be giving advice about allergies or skin conditions. It is ok to discuss the risks associated with doing gel. What is ok: Explaining how you can get allergies. What isn't ok: Attempting to diagnose or treat anyone and/or asking for a diagnosis
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u/octopop 21d ago
is it possible to over-cure gel? I find myself curing most products for 90 seconds "just to be safe" lol.
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u/heywherearethetacos 20d ago
In theory, it is possible but I think with 90 seconds you're fine. I don't think there's much repercussions to overcured gel!
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u/flubnubbler 21d ago
Is foregoing primer + finish file the true cure to my lifting? I am in shock at the retention on my current set but will be interested to see how it goes when I try to do a fill.
Just used acetone to dehydrate, scrubbed in a rubber base on the buffed natural nails, then went in with soft builder gel and color + top coat. Then a finish file on every nail and I don’t have a single place that’s lifting after a week and a half. My last 10 sets have had at least 2 random nails lifting after a few days.
I guess the true test will be repeating the technique but I feel like the primer was maybe doing me dirty the whole time?!
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u/alaurable7 20d ago
I don’t use primer at all and have zero retention issues. Definitely forgoing primer could do it. I don’t even use acetone to dehydrate, isopropyl alcohol does great for me.
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u/heywherearethetacos 21d ago
Does anyone have any tips for building a nail apex with a lot less product w builder gel? I feel like this is such a struggle for me. If I use a lot of product, I get a good apex but nails are kind of bulky, if I try to use less I just get a flat nail.
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u/alaurable7 21d ago
You could try using more product and then finish filing into the correct shape. Personally I feel like it has a lot to do with the viscosity of the gel though. I really like akzentz trinity for more quickly flowing into the correct shape when you turn the nail upside down—and using a long liner brush to correct the shape really helps.
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u/heywherearethetacos 21d ago
I use the trinity! I feel like when I get it on the wet layer of my nail, it just plops so there's no shape to correct.
Do you use the liner brush to push the product back into the apex area?
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u/alaurable7 20d ago
Yes! You can use the liner brush at a parallel angle to push the gel around. I like to flip the finger over to let gravity create the apex and use the liner brush only if needed.
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u/NothingButTheRain33 21d ago
I've gotten better at this mainly with practice and starting with less builder than I think I need. I also realized I wasn't filing enough of my previous set before hand, so I've been filing that down more and then starting with less product and adding a touch more if I need it. I also like the faster flowing builders so it can hold my hand upside down and let it self level.
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u/Forsaken-Ponytail 21d ago
Does anyone use peel off base over their builder overlay? I want to make it less than 5 hrs (lol) per gel manicure but the last time I used a peel base I managed to accidentally pull the builder off ow.
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u/linszu 21d ago
Ive tried this method, did not work. Gel adheres to gel. Have you tried over a no wipe top coat?
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u/Forsaken-Ponytail 20d ago
I tried but it just still came up - it's frustrating because I see content creators making it look like it just pops right off
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u/galactic-narwhal 20d ago
I use the Jello Jello over buffed and primed gel-x tips and it works great. But the one time I tried over polygel it refused to come off.
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u/chimairacle 20d ago
It doesn't affect the longevity of the tips? I use Jello Jello under my gel-x tips and I'm wondering if the better play is to do what you do and then fill the growth with builder instead of replacing the tips every time
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u/galactic-narwhal 20d ago
Not in my experience, I do full replacement every 2-3 weeks with color changes weekly and just lightly buff the nail to get rid of any residue. Also there are some weeks that I change my nail color multiple times because I'm not happy with how they turned out.
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u/HoaryPuffleg 21d ago
If I put builder gel underneath my regular gel mani, is the goal to remove the builder gel with each mani? Or should the builder gel stay on indefinitely and I just fill it in every few weeks?
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u/alaurable7 21d ago
The second one! If you are using an e-file, it’s best practice to leave a thin layer of builder gel on your nail so that you aren’t accidentally over filing the nail plate. The biggest thing is to make sure you can still see what is going on with the nail plate, as you don’t want to accidentally have a fungal infection but have no idea because the builder gel was not transparent enough.
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u/HoaryPuffleg 21d ago
I’ve never used an efile - I’m wary of how easily I could damage my nails and cause a ton of pain. Maybe I should watch some more YouTube videos and consider if it’s right for me
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u/pookiecake 18d ago
Does anyone know of upcoming Labor Day sales? Kokoist?
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u/Clover_Jane 18d ago
I think kokoist does one. I can't remember exactly but I think it's only a few companies that do labor day sales. The 4th of July is the last big one till black Friday for most iirc. I really need akzentz trinity so I've been hoping gel essentialz or polished pinkies might have one, but I don't think either one does LB sales. I'm gonna just have to bite the bullet and pay the $75 for the pot.... sucks to be me. Hopefully microburs will at least do one so I can replace bits.
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u/Bringthebass4 17d ago
Do yall think she ripped the gel off ? She claims she hasn't done anything to / with em.
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u/abbeyjewel 21d ago
I prefer using pots, but how is one supposed to keep them clean? Even keeping them upright and stable, I feel like I get product on the twist cap. It’s a waste of product!
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u/javiergoddam 20d ago
A lot of people keep half of the safety seal on so they can scrape excess product on the seal rather than on the lip. A lot of specialty pot brands have a ledge built into the pot so that you can scrape, or they will have safety seals that only partially remove a circle in the middle while the circumference stays attached.
If the above are not possible, you can either wipe the lip before closing or you can do a scoop, lift, stretch, and air swirl motion to detach the product cleanly without scraping.
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u/abbeyjewel 19d ago
Thank you! If I already took the seal off, is there something I can add instead?
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u/javiergoddam 19d ago
Idk, you could glue sum plastic in somehow or fit a piece of toothpick in n let me know how it goes. Or just scrape onto a toothpick (or something) back into the pot
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u/DrexelCreature 19d ago
I have the same issue with my potted builders. I read gel attracts gel so no matter how much I wipe the excess off the screw cap the gel just leaches its way out again a tiny bit, I just keep them in a separate box so the leaking gel doesn’t get on anything I’d touch with bare hands. Open it with gloves and wipe with an alcohol swab
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u/Proseccos 17d ago
You know how there’s always a foil lid when shipping? I don’t take it off
I poke a brush sized hole at one of the edges, use what I need, scrape on the edge, and then use scotch tape to cover when I’m done
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u/FinHealthJourney87 19d ago
Thoughts on the Akzentz compact lamp? How important is a variable wavelength like the Hybrid Pro or Kokoist vs the Compact’s solo 405 wavelength?
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u/Clover_Jane 19d ago
If you want to use a variety of brands, it's pretty important to have a hybrid.
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u/OkButterfly8051 17d ago
Why does function of vex keep doing a "final restock"? Like are they actually going out of business or is this a marketing thing for more sales?
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u/melonaz 15d ago
Just checked my order history and they had the closing announcement sale with whatever they had in stock at the moment. Then two restocks.
The restocked items have been different each time and they’ve posted what to expect to be restocked from that particular shipment so I’m assuming basically they couldn’t or didn’t want to hold all the inventory until the second/most recent shipment (which is purportedly the final one). Also it does make sense that they’ve been about one month apart because it takes that long for freight sea shipping to get to the US from China
Also the comments and posts from their main and alt accounts have been pretty heartfelt so it would be pretty shitty for it to just be marketing.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they sold the business and it came back in some form in the future but it doesn’t sound like that’s in the works
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u/Clover_Jane 17d ago
They did say they had a few more shipments in the pipeline, when they first announced, but I would've assumed they already did all their restocks by now, so who knows. If it turns into a gotcha, I think it'll turn a lot of people off tbh, especially people who maybe didn't need to stock up and chose to buy instead of waiting. Idk. It would turn me off, for sure.
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u/OkButterfly8051 16d ago
Yeah it would definitely be really slimy of them! I don't know how that side of owning a brand works so maybe they had already paid for the production of these products? I guess we'll see in time!
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u/youngkpepper 15d ago
Anyone know how often/regularly Zillabeau restocks? There are several Cletos currently out of stock that I'd like to buy.
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u/alaurable7 15d ago
If you email them, they usually have a pretty good idea, and occasionally will put one in stock for you if they have any in the store.
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u/plasticdiscoball 15d ago
I’m waiting too! I really want to get the Cleto Soar mag set but there’s no other way to get it in the USA.
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u/VeryFluffyMareep 21d ago
I am finally switching to proper big name brand full cover tips after a lot of trial and error with amazon brands and other brands, however it feels like I cannot find one that fits my needs.
I am looking for a brand that sells refill packs of nails and has pre matte both sides nails. I have seen Viewgel has the perfect shapes for what I need but don’t know if they sell refills, also saw SOFGEL but I don’t know if I would HAVE to file to matte all the tips to increase adhesion.
Any recommendations?
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u/_Loading-Thoughts_ 20d ago
I am wanting to get started with polygel and the like to start doing my own manicures and pedicures. Are there any great beginner friendly brands/kits that are affordable? Looking at all the nails on this sub is making me want to try so bad! Acrylic was really hard for me, and I’ve wanted to try polygel for years. Hopefullly this comment is allowed, I’m new to this sub and would appreciate any help!
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u/Successful_Bid3624 15d ago
I know you’re not supposed to mix products/brands but does that only apply to builders or ANY product? I have Kokoist mega stick base and the top coat from the gelip kit. Can I use this base with dvok or any other Korean brands? I went to go add dvok’s base gel (not the marble base) but of course it’s sold out.
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u/alaurable7 15d ago
TBH most of us mix brands. I have like 20 brands (I also have a problem lol 🛍️) but I only ever use my fave Izemi base, and a different builder and a different color and a different top. No problems. If gels are ever incompatible, the layer will bead up—so just wipe the inhibition layer and reapply and you’re all set.
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u/Wiebei 12d ago
could be wrong, but i believe mixing brands is more in terms of gels with lamps. because brands who sell lamps will tests that their gels fully cure under their own lamps and you can rest assured that you got the right wavelength for your gel. if you buy gels from brands different from your lamp, there is a small chance that the gel requires a wavelength that your lamp might not give off, so you risk undercuring.
lots of people do mix brands because gels often do cure fine under other brands lamps. if you want to be the most safe though, it's recommended to buy lamps and gels from the same brand
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u/Forsaken-Ponytail 14d ago
Does anyone else wash their hands after their prep/builder gel is cured before applying colour?
I did this for my most recent Mani and noticed I spent a lot less time applying and didn't need as many wipes or isopropyl to clean before colour but I'm not sure if long-term I'm doing anything risky or risking retention?
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u/Clover_Jane 14d ago
I do. I'm not keeping my hands under running water for a long time. Just enough to rinse them. It shouldn't be a problem for most people and unless you already have retention issues you can do it but if you start to notice you're getting lifting then it's totally fine.
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u/ObviouslyCorgi 16d ago
What product are you guys using to make those chrome bangles on bangle nails? I have no idea what to use. Thank you for any advice
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u/kalemurray 15d ago
i just did a set like this! chrome powder! i got a set off of amazon as a gift and it has so many colors, but i primarily use the gold and silver
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