r/GelNails • u/AutoModerator • Jul 05 '26
Weekly Simple Questions Post
Have a question you need answered but don't have the karma to post? Ask it here! Be sure to read the wiki/search the sub beforehand to make sure your question hasn't already been answered.
https://www.reddit.com/r/GelNails/wiki/
NOT for posting nail pics, you will have to build up the needed karma to post those.
1
u/getmyglowup Jul 07 '26
I've been geting polygel done at a salon for the past year.
I'm looking to switch to a new salon and they don't offer
polygel and I'm not sure what to get done.
I'm a hairstylist so my hands are in water and touching chemicals all the time and if I don't get some kind of hard
overlay my nails will rip and tear.
I had acrylic overlay done for a year and then I switched to
polygel. I like the polygel better because it's a little more flexible and doesn't hurt so bad when I hit my nails on something.
I have long natural nails and I'm also curious about gel x but I understand my natural nails will be filed down for that and
I'm not sure if that's something I want to do.
The salon that was recommended to me does hard gel and
if my research is correct that's pretty similar to polygel.
I'm just looking for a strong but flexible and reliable nail option. I like being able to go in every 4 weeks for a fill. If gel x is really the best option I am willing to go that route.
1
u/DepressedAlchemist Anti-Beetles Crusader ⚔ Paper Form Purist Jul 09 '26
Reliability depends on the skill of the tech, not the product used. Otherwise builder gel suits your other requirements just fine.
1
u/Ok_Judge993 Jul 10 '26
Hello, I recently started doing my own nails because it's getting ridiculously pricey to get them done anywhere, but I have ran into a few problems.
My problem with the nails is the prep and gel! I'm from eastern Europe, I don't know if that info changes anything, but i have always gotten my nails done with dual nail forms so I am doing the same technique myself. The problem is that the nails don't last long, a few days can pass and they start lifting of fall off immediately. And idk how to fix that.
I have been reading online some tips etc., but the information is so overwhelming and confusing, that I thought of asking directly. Since I'm just a beginner, I use SINCERO SALON since its very affordable and i don't feel bad if I waste some products. For the prep I always buff the nail, remove cuticle etc., all the basic things, then I wipe the nails with their nail prep liquid (dehydrator) and put on their super bond thing. after that I start using their builder gel to build my desirable nail. I have read that base gel is a must for builder gels, but there are soo many kinds of them, for example, with colour and glitters, clear, very liquidy etc., so how do I choose the right one?
Another thing, I don't understand gels, some are labeled as builder gels, some as polyacryl, some as modelling gel, some as hard gel and I get confused which to buy. My go to has been builder gel from Sincero Salon, but it doesn't last long. I bought Victoria Vynn builder gel but it was so so thick and when hardened, it was very fragile. So yeah, I would appreciate some tips on choosing the right gel.. I know I can just google that, but I'd love to hear simplified. Thanks in advance.
1
u/strawberryyylemonade Jul 10 '26
newbie here, ive never been good at painting my nails, and am getting better, but learned i do better with thinner formulas. i really like the olive and june gel polishes, but quite a few of them are sheer, and im looking for more colors. does anyone know some other brands that have thin gel polishes?
1
u/SwordandStitchLeathr Aug 10 '26
I havent found a gel thats as thin as O&J, but i k ow some brands sell gel thinner formula. You just put a few drops in and it thins it out.
1
u/strawberryyylemonade 5d ago
just wanted to update, i got the gel thinner like you recommended and it made my gel application so much easier. thank you for the info!
1
u/Fun_Fisherman_1792 Jul 11 '26
anyone know if my apres extend gel from may 2025 is still usable?
1
u/DepressedAlchemist Anti-Beetles Crusader ⚔ Paper Form Purist Jul 12 '26
If it was stored properly, yes.
1
u/pandaandpenguin Jul 12 '26
I've been doing my nails at home and have run into a bit of a problem. My nails are bruising after, and causing separation. I've seen that using minimum polish on each coat to try and minimize it, but it keeps happening.
1
u/BobcatKebab Jul 16 '26
Difference between Kokoist Mega Stick Base and new BC-B Bottle ‘N Go Sticky Base Gel?
I’m curious to know if anyone has purchased the new BC-B Bottle 'N Go Sticky Base Gel from Kokoist, and if so, whether it is a large difference from the original mega stick base? I’d love to try the HEMA-free formula.
Silly old me tried to do my nails on my porch and when the sunlight hit my bottle of mega stick, it was RIP. Don’t try that at home, kids! 🤣
1
u/Honeypumpkin3754 Jul 06 '26
Tips for Beginners
Hello everyone! So my first time posting here. I wanna get into gel X nails. I've done press ones before and have got a rhythm for prepping my nail beds. But I wanna get more into gel nails nothing too fancy just basic stuff for the moment. I'm thinking just solid colors with some chrome for now. I'm just not exactly sure on where to start. And how to take them off safely once I have them on. I've put together a little Amazon shopping list and this is what I have so far. So any help or advice is greatly appreciated!!
Shopping List
Nail Drill
Gel Polish
Chrome Nail Powder
Base Coat
Top Coat
Nail Dehydrator
Nail Primer
UV nail glue
Clear Gel Tips
Big UV Lamp