Amethyste, I need nail help!

[ChloeTheGreat]

Amethyste, I know you ALWAYS get requests for nail advice, so you're probably sick of it, but I hope you can help.

I am a recently reformed nail-biter, so I've started getting manicures. I have been liking Shellac french manicures. I have gotten it done 4 times so far. The first 3 appointments were at a salon that has now run out of shellac and has it on backorder, so I had to find someplace else. Last week, I got my 4th Shellac french manicure at a new place I've never been to. I really liked the salon and the woman who did my manicure. She seemed knowledgeable about all things nails...but I'm unhappy with the results!

My manicure (just the white "cream puff" tips) peeled off within 4 days! This has never happened! Do you know what could be the problem? Why would it be different this time? She did all the steps pretty much the same way the other salon had done it.

Also, I am picky about the shape of the white painted tips. I liked everything about the manicure she gave me except the shape of the tips (is it called a "smile line?") Is it appropriate to tell her I would prefer another shape? How do I go about telling her how I want it done? I am never sure if I should just let the nail tech do their job and assume they know best...

Thanks for any help!

 

[Miss Sparkly]

My first thought was that she didn't allow proper time for the shellac to set under the light leaving your first layer soft and undone. Also, I would tell her how you like her lines. You don't have to be mean about it, just a simple "I prefer more of a curve, softer line, etc" would work just fine.

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

Thanks for the advice Sparkly Blonde. I was wondering about curing under the light too. The ONLY thing this nail tech did differently was cure the base coat for less time than at the other salon. I'll speak up next time she does my nails. (Like I said, I never know if it's ok for me to tell them how I want it or just let them do their thing.)

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

How long do you normally cure the base coat? Every time I've gone, it's been 10 seconds after the base coat and 2 minutes after every coat after that. Maybe the white tip peeled off because the polish there just thicker than on the rest of the nail?

The gal that does my Shellac did french tips on my nails last month. She also made a very straight (and very bright) white line. I won't be asking her to do the french tips again. Although, one of them chipped (like yours, just the tip) about 4 days after she did them and she had me come in to fix that one nail for free.

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

At the other salon, they always cured the base coat for 2 minutes. (I have read various things about the shellac process and I know it only needs 10 seconds.) But maybe it sticks better if it's cured longer? The french tips didn't seem too thick, but what do I know? It sure didn't seem any different than the other times.
That's really nice of her to fix that nail for you.
I guess next time I go to this new place, I will tell her what happened and maybe she will know how to make it last longer this time. It doesn't seem like any reason not to go back to this nail tech.

 

[Amethyste]

Hey Chloe -

I am so sorry - I just saw this thread!!! It is probably too late anyways - but here is my thought on what the culprit may be:

If she gave you a "water" manicure prior - and you soaked in too long, your nails might have retained enough moisture and compromised the adhesion of the basecoat.

I know that that the shellac bottle says to cure for 10 secs, but I alsways do 2 mins, just like the other coats.

She might have not wiped your nailbeds well enough and oily residue may have been trapped underneath the basecoat
again making it slippery for the basecoat to grab onto the nail plate.

She might have applied each coats too thickly. Whne that happens, the layers do not cure properly and do not end up having a uniform bond between each other, and hence the peel.

Next time ( hope fully not ) if that happens, look to see if it's only the color that peeled or the whole application. If it peels from the base, that means something prior to the basecoat application, a step was missed or not done correctly. if it's the color that peels, most likely, it was put on too thickly or not cured long enough.

Request an additional curing time - just to make sure all is sealed right!