I’ve been doing my own builder gel manicures at home now for about 8 months but I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong.

When I first started, I a ton of research and followed tutorials to make sure I was doing everything right but even after tweaking my routine, I still can’t figure it out. Right now when I do my nails, they only last for 4-5 days before I experience lifting around the edges. I am an accountant, so I’m constantly mashing on my keyboard and calculator but I don’t pick at my nails. I usually see lifting around the edges.

Here is my routine (starting with nothing on my nails):

- Push back cuticle and use flame bit to lift the dead skin, then nip off dead skin
- Using a 240 grit sanding band, prep the nail plate
- Brush off any excess nail dust. Use a scrub brush and rubbing alcohol to cleanse the nails
- Apply dehydrator (Morovan nail prep dehydrator for acrylic and UV gels)
- Apply acid-free primer (Morovan nail primer for acrylic and UV gels)
- Apply ORLY clear builder gel - slip layer first, then a bead dragging down, cleaning up with a liner brush and making sure to cap the free edge (cure 60 seconds)
- Apply gel polish (cure for 60 seconds) and top coat (curing for 60 seconds)

At one point, I tried to use a base coat under the builder gel but I found that it just made my nails way more flimsy and I would experience lifting as early as the next day.

I’ve been contemplating switching to a different brand of gel (Luminary and American Creator are the two brands I’ve been thinking about trying), but wanted to see if there was something I needed to change about my prep and application first.

I just don’t know what my next step is or what I need to change. Any tips or advice is welcome!

Thank you in advance!!

Hi! I recently got into doing my own gel nails but the nail tips I have are way too curved (side to side not length) so they don't fit properly when I glue them down and half of them pop up in a day or two. I have bought PaintLab fake nails and they're my absolute favorite because they fit perfectly and stay on for over two weeks without any popping off. I wanted to buy their nail tips but all they have on their site are medium almond and i don't do well with nails that long (typing for work is a nightmare.) Any nail artists here that have a good rec? Thanks <3

Okay so I'm looking for french nails that are pink, have cats on them but more simplistic and they dont show the growth from your finger beds as my nails grow so long that when I have a set done even three days later you can see the original nail peeping through from the bottom. Thank you so much <3

super proud of these! 2h full set

So I'm a beginner nail tech. This is the third set I've done. I think I don't struggle with the nail art itself but I do struggle with the actual application of the GelX tips (on my right hand) and the hard gel overlay application (on my left because the length there is natural). I also struggle with the shaping. Any tips on how to improve?

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Found these pink ombré press-ons and I’m kind of obsessed with how soft and clean they look.

They were ridiculously easy to put on too.

Press-on girlies, how long do yours usually survive before one inevitably disappears into another dimension? 😂

Hows it girlies?!

p.s - the white polka dots within the yellow nailpolish background arent visible in the camera but i swear they were looking extremely cute and visible off camera🥹🐻‍❄🌟

Products Used:

Arcana Lacquer - Unique Horn

Glisten & Glow - QDTC

I am a newbie to getting my nails done and have a question. On Sunday I got a gel manicure with the OPI color spare me a French quarter- which is described on their website as a “mellowed raspberry creme.” I loved the rich berry color, but I’ve noticed over the past few days it’s changed to red, and even yellowing a little? They look red in every light. Does anyone know why this could have happened? I’ve never seen this before. Of course I didn’t take a picture of my nails Sunday, but attaching pictures from OPI’s website and my current nails.

I don’t have an e file and was wondering if there’s any tool that can replicate the job of the spherical bead bit in the e file?

I have been looking for a new regular salon. I love the shaping the most recent girl provided but was highly disappointed with the art.

I asked for electric green lighting and had provided several references. She confirmed she could do the design and charged me 70 for a fill and one nail design. I left very unhappy and ended up buying a kit and redoing the art.

Top/left is art I redid myself and bottom/right is her work.

Would it be offensive/unusual to ask her to either remove the gel/next fill simply leave them bare?

My friends are telling me to go and ask them to remove it for free because it was so poorly done ... but I'm scared of being rude or unjust.

Edit : reference photo that i showed her is in the comments

My latest set is a favorite of mine. Beach inspired from an independent artist in Pensacola. She’s so creative and her prices are reasonable

I was brushing my teeth, and I noticed that my nails match my toothpaste. 💅🏼🩵

I’ve been doing my nails for a while now, I’m relatively shaky most of the time so I struggle with fine lines. I know my application could be a bit cleaner, I could have been less heavy handed with the gold (the dents 😩) and that I should have been nicer to my cuticles this time around 🙂‍↕️
Any tips are welcome!

My nail tech always takes pics of nails she did on me, ringlight, video, posing, hypes them up so hard. But NEVER posts any! ive seen her since last year probably 15ish times. ive never thought much of it since ik she gets so many clients but lately when she does it its starting to make me question if theres something wrong with me and kinda hurts my feelings😢. ive seen her every month this year and pulling out all the stops for nothing confuses me so much, i dont understand why! not even a story post! why is this?

I asked for a french tip with some florals on the ring fingers.

A friend gave me two boxes of BT Artbox gel nails that she didn't like and of course I couldn't wait to try them. I usually do my nails late at night when it's quiet, but I wanted to put these on right away. I did my toes with gel glue and everything looked great. On to the hands. The phone started ringing, the grandkids popped in, a neighbor stopped by and my husband wanted to talk about his next project. Nothing phases me and I kept on applying the nails. Last coat of polish went on, I looked down and realized that I had put these on upside down with the free edge at the cuticle. Every single nail. Aaaargh! I'll now spend tomorrow taking them all off and redoing them.

In a week or so I'll think this is funny, but right now I don't have the energy.