Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Amethyste....another nail question!

Taylorbug!

Taylorbug!

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 24, 2009
Messages
1,421
I was hoping to get your opinion on the BEST (longest lasting) top coat for fairly long natural nails? I have natural nails and love to french manicure them, which I do myself. But it never fails that after about 2 days it starts chipping. I work in a office and type alot and it absolutely drives me crazy for my nails to look "yucky"...lol. What should I use to help? I have read information on the uv topcoats? Are they safe for natural nails? HELP!!! PLease.... :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: Thanks!
 
Hey there :)

I am going to be totally honest here - but for the VERY few natural nail clients I have left ( all have switched to the Shellac/gelish UV polishes ), I use Sally Hanson's Speed Shine 10 day Top Coat. It does a wonderful job.

Whne you apply yout top coat, make sure you cap the edges ( doing a side swipe ) of your free edge where the french manicure is at.

To help a sturdy french, here's what I do

I use Orly! Nail bonder ( 1 coat )
Essie's Mademoiselle ( 1 coat )
OPI's Alpine Snow For the french
Essie's Sugar Daddy ( 1 coat to sandwich the white )

Dry with a standard fan for about 3 mins

Then apply the Speed Shine 10 day Top Coat and dry for a loooooooooooooong time ( like 15 mins )
It's dry to the touch at 2 mins - but the longer it dries, the better it will stay on - that's my opinion.

That Sally's top coat is hard to find - i am lucky and get it at my local Rite-Aid. but a good alternative is the Essie's To Dry for and/or Essie's Ready to go!

Good luck! :)
 
Another question....if you don't mind. Does the shellac gel polish work well on natural nails? I know you have to have a uv light to cure it. How hard is it to take off? Just wondering if this is maybe something I should look into. Thanks again for all you information. :wavey: :appl:
 
Yes - Shellac is actually for natural nails wearers.

Yes - you have to have a high output UV light to cure the Shellac - and they are not cheap.

To remove, buff the topcoat - then immerse tips into acetone for 10 minutes. The product slides off.
 
I am addicted to Shellac now but it is out of stock at my regular salon and will be on backorder for another 2 months! ;(
I am going to call some other places, but am worried it will be gone everywhere!
 
I was totally hooked on Shellac and have now switched over to Gelish and, if it's possible, I love it even more than Shellac! Application and removal is the same (I actually find it easier to use, do it myself and could never get the Shellac thin enough and even enough to avoid wrinkling. Gelish is easy-peasy and error proof, for me anyway), the look and wear is the same, but they offer 48 colors with 48 more coming out in the fall. And the colors are glorious. An no waiting or back orders!
 
ericad said:
I was totally hooked on Shellac and have now switched over to Gelish and, if it's possible, I love it even more than Shellac! Application and removal is the same (I actually find it easier to use, do it myself and could never get the Shellac thin enough and even enough to avoid wrinkling. Gelish is easy-peasy and error proof, for me anyway), the look and wear is the same, but they offer 48 colors with 48 more coming out in the fall. And the colors are glorious. An no waiting or back orders!
Click to expand...

Ooooohhhhh, I was thinking about the switch considering I have the uv lamp ($25 on ebay), and just one shellac color. I just haven't pulled the trigger because there's a strange middle step in there where you have to remove sticky residue or something. Maybe I should reconsider...
 
I just use a gel brush or those IBD lint free wipes to rub the surface of the base coat, but actually the last time I did my Gelish I totally forgot this step and applied the color right over the un-wiped foundation layer and it worked exactly the same, so not sure it's even necessary. You do need to apply the base foundation layer very thin, I wipe off as much as possible from the brush and it's just the right amount.

Gelish is great for layering too, and they have so many glitter polishes i've had fun doing fades, etc.

You do need to seal the free edge with each layer, to avoid shrinkage, but this is easy and just takes a little practice. As I said, I find the Gelish way easier and more user friendly than Shellac. But I never would have switched if it weren't for CND's supply issues. But I'm glad because it led me to Gelish. Gelish is cheaper too - the bottles hold twice as much!

I also found that my Shellac has gotten thick and these are bottles I've barely used! I've read that others have this problem too, but doesn't seem to be an issue with Gelish.
 
I just wish I could do a competent job of doing a french on myself! It always looks like I took a running leap at it! :errrr:
 
Me too, I haven't been brave enough to attempt a french, but I think that between the Gelish and my newest addictions, Konad and fimo canes, I can probably skip the frenchies.
 
Hey there Ericad, where can you buy gelish? Is it only available to pros or can you just buy it in a store? Thanks!
 
I have mastered french polish on myself! It just took a lot of practice. But it takes so long, it's just not worth it when regular polish only lasts a couple of days! That's why I've been going to the salon and having the shellac french manicures done professionally.
 
Asscherhalo_lover said:
Hey there Ericad, where can you buy gelish? Is it only available to pros or can you just buy it in a store? Thanks!
Click to expand...

it's a pro-only product, so if you're able to get it done professionally, that's best. But I'm like a mad scientist and love doing my own nails (and haven't yet found a tech who will make a housecall at 11pm on a Saturday night, lol, which is the only "me" time I have to do my nails) so I did tons of research and found a place that sells it to me. I don't want to upset any nail techs, so I'll refrain from posting the sellers name on this thread (don't want them to be under pressure to stop letting me buy it!) but do feel free to contact me privately (via JbEG is fine) and I'll be happy to send you a link.
 
do any of you use regular nail polish and finish with a UV top coat? Just wondering how that would hold up? And if so, what is the process to remove the UV topcoat. Does it come off with acetone or regular nail polish remover? :wavey:
 
ericad said:
... I don't want to upset any nail techs, so I'll refrain from posting the sellers name on this thread (don't want them to be under pressure to stop letting me buy it!) but do feel free to contact me privately (via JbEG is fine) and I'll be happy to send you a link.
Click to expand...

I kinda know you are referring to me, and it's ok.

I have NO problem with people doing their own nails at home with profesional products. The problem is that TONS AND TONS of non-trade people have been able to get their hands on the Shellac. That's really awesome for the DIYs, but then - to me who does nail for a living - I am UNABLE to get the products to do my job! I am unable to keep servicing my clients and secure my living because it is near impossible to get ANY base and Top Coats. The fact that non-trade people have been able to purchase the stuff fairly easily, is not helping the shortage problem.

This being said - I am really for people to do their nails, do their own colors, change their oils... I really don't have a problem with it at all... Just that for this specific product, I am upset at CND for not making enough ( lol ) so it fullfil all of the demand!

I am in the same boat here - After spending HUNDREDS of $$$ on the Shellac Line - I might have to try another one to keep my clients happy and spend even more $$$ to get set up into another line like Gelish. The DIYs might be spending very little like the base, a couple of colours and a Top Coat. But for me, I have to buy at least 15-20 colors to satisfy all of my clients various preferences... It adds up!! :)

No animosity toward you gals that do it at home :)

Erica - I am that Nailtech who would do your nails at 11pm. I am a night Owl! :)
 
Not specifically you Amey, I also lurk on some of the beauty forums (and the handbag one) and have seen lots of animosity between DIY'ers and nail techs over Shellac and Gelish, and I can only assume that there are other techs who are members or lurkers here, so I just didn't want to even go there :)

And believe me, I totally get your point about shortages and how frustrating it must be for you to have clients eager for this product, but it's not available!

I've heard that Gelish base and top coat can be used with Shellac, so you might want to consider gradually adding Gelish to your line and see what you and your clients think. The color offerings are remarkable, and I do personally find that the Gelish is more user friendly and actually looks better and is easier to apply thin. I always had trouble getting the Shellac thin enough to not crinkle during curing. Gelish is so simple - too thick = thick looking nails. No harm in that, no wrinkling, just looks the way you apply it. Apply it thin, it looks just like nail polish.

Oh Amey, if only you lived near me! I've spent hundreds of dollars for the Shellac and Gelish products, including the UV light, and it's money well spent, but if I could have instead spent that money on salon visits and a professional looking job (my DIY efforts are acceptable, but don't hold up to macro pics, lol) I would do so happily!
 
Don't you have to have a UV thingy to dry these products? I'm just curious how you do it at home without one. Or maybe you have one. I am mostly only adept at putting on clear polish myself, I'm just wondering. I prefer natural nails, but would try this Gelish if it's offered at a salon near me. I keep my nails short.
 
The ONLY thing that keeps nail polish on my natural nails for more than a few days is an adhesive base coat. I've found that top coat doesn't matter as much when an adhesive base coat is used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top