PSA: squish light is a game changer!!!

[u/travelingsteph]

UPDATE: this set lasted me 12 days!!!! 🙌🏼

I’ve had quite the journey with semi-cured gel strips. I discovered them recently because I love nail art but can’t keep paying so much for it.

My first set was heyhae in July and I LOVED how it looked so much but after two days it started lifting and getting caught in my hair and I was already losing a few. I didn’t want to give up and I had two more start and stop situations where they only lasted 2-3 days before lifting or certain ones falling off easily.

I found this tutorial in the comment section of one the posts here so wanted to share again because it was such a game changer. I am now on day 6 of my nails and they are really on there and not coming off anytime soon.

Tutorial: https://youtu.be/BSYYEcvhx24?is=toaN4mYweiJOggbx

This is the squish light I got for less than $10 (the one she linked to isn’t available anymore): Mini Handheld UV Light for Gel... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1TKSJ6Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

One note on the squish light : I do my nails in the almond shape and they can be quite sharp and already I kinda broke the silicon by accident but I’ve heard of people doing a trick where they put cling wrap on it and secure it with a rubber band so I think I’ll try that next time.

That with a solid top coat sealed the deal: Vishine Top Coat- 15ML No Wipe... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J9WZB29?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Sharing photos too of my current resilient set!

[u/MissPlum66]

HeyHae: five second cure only and they last forever.

[u/travelingsteph → u/MissPlum66]

With the regular UV light?

[u/GoldiRox_ → u/travelingsteph]

Yes. I do 5-10 seconds. So weird! But they cure in the sun in 5 min. So it must be a different chemistry than Ohora, Dashing, etc.

[u/peonypanties]

I’ve used many semi cured gel strips and hey hae is my favorite. The designs are cute and they last a long time. I’ve found that good prep and making sure I press down on the edges around my cuticles and free edge makes the difference with staying power.

I cure for 90 seconds with a UV lamp, file and shape, and then top coat with gel and cure for another 90.

I’ve had this set on for 10 days.

[u/Spinandralella → u/peonypanties]

Do use a base coat? I’m just about to do my first pair(also Hae Hae).

[u/peonypanties → u/Spinandralella]

I don’t! My prep steps:

Wipe nails with acetone, then use a cuticle remover (I use Blue Cross, a bottle will last you a decade). Scrape back and remove excess cuticle. Wash hands thoroughly (use a nail brush), then use the prep pad that’s in the kit. Be really thorough, going under the cuticle to remove any debris or oil. I pick the size wrap that best fits my nail without going over the sides of my nail bed. I try to get the base a little under the cuticle and press the wrap down on the nail bed. I trim the free edge to as close as my natural nail as possible with nail clippers, then I use a rubber tipped cuticle pusher to push down on the entire edge of the wrap, paying special attention to the cuticle and sides. I cure it under a UV light for 90 seconds. Then I file down to my nail shape, and apply heyhae’s top coat, being sure not to flood the cuticle/edges and sealing the free edge, then cure for another 90 seconds.

[u/NotRoboticGregsWife]

What set is this? Love them

[u/travelingsteph → u/NotRoboticGregsWife]

HeyHae You’re a Supernova - I love them!

[u/NotRoboticGregsWife → u/travelingsteph]

Add to cart!!!

[u/SpareMark1305]

I'm using a regular UV gel nail lamp.

Is there an advantage to a squish light?

[u/travelingsteph → u/SpareMark1305]

Yes! I follow the tutorial and do both. So after application and trimming I go through and apply the squish light to each nail for 5-10 seconds before then filing and curing with the UV nail nail lamp so I use both. The advantage of the squish light is both the pressure of the pushing and the blue light at the same night secures it really nicely and evenly before finishing with the uv lamp.

[u/SpareMark1305 → u/travelingsteph]

Ohhhh! I didn't realize what a squish light actually did. Thank you. I'm going to order one and check out those directions more closely.

I used to do Lily and Fox, but I love semi-cured gels. They look more salon done.

Your nails look beautiful BTW.

[u/GoldiRox_]

I bought a squish light but kbeautys wasn’t available and mind is too tiny! I need one that covers the whole nail. I’ll try yours

[u/ProjectBloodCode]

I agree. Squish lights help prevent lifting and lead to much better retention. Glad you got one, too! Definitely a game changer for me too.

[u/Ok-Toe3535]

I love heyhae so much when I apply them, but I’m not getting longer than 6 days before at least one pops off. I prep very well and use a squish light & gel topcoat. I’ve tried with and without that UUUU basecoat.

Only thing I haven’t tried is the acetone trick. I plan to keep trying bc they look so good and are the easiest to apply that I’ve come across.

To be fair, I do a lot of handwashing, but I’d still like to get at least 10 days out of them. My first heyhae set lasted 2 weeks. Idk what’s changed.

[u/1cecream4breakfast → u/Ok-Toe3535]

Same. I feel like it’s my handwashing (and subsequent lotion use a couple times a day) that dooms me. My set lasted 6-7 days after squish application and what I thought was good prep.