Gel nails at home

MrsE_2

bossymoo wrote: »

I've got the sensationail set too - love it! The lamp is fine for me, comfortably get 4 fingers in - think they do a "fuse" version (is that what it's called?) which is just one finger at a time :eek:

I've recently bought the gel strengthener which is good too. I've used just the clear and tried a regular colour polish over the too which also worked, and lasted longer than normal.

I love it. Try a cash back site too!

Do you do the five steps above?

bossymoo

MrsE wrote: »

So is it?

1. Gel Cleanser 14.6m
2. Gel Primer 3.54
3. Gel base/top coat 3.69m
4. Gel Polish 3.69m
5. Gel base/top coat (again) 3.69m

In that order?
In the salons they clean off with some sort of nail polish & cotton wool, I guess this is NON acetone? This would be more MSE than the wipes?
What about removal?

What are the numbers? They use rubbing alcohol to clean / remove any residue and acetone soak to remove. Actually the removal tool from sensationail is very good too!

bossymoo

Cross posted!

It's gives you full instructions in the box, very easy.

Buff over nails gently with the emery board.
Use the cleanser / alcohol with a lint free wipe.
Swipe a touch of primer and air dry.
Base coat - cure for 30 seconds
Colour coat - cure for 60 seconds
Top coat - cure for 30 seconds
Wipe off residue with cleanser / alcohol.

The lamp has a timer - beeps after 30s and goes off after 60. The starter kit has all you need to put on, but not remove. One of them was on offer recently at b00ts for £45

MrsE_2

bossymoo wrote: »

What are the numbers? They use rubbing alcohol to clean / remove any residue and acetone soak to remove. Actually the removal tool from sensationail is very good too!

Quantities, I copied & pasted it off their website.

Where do you buy rubbing alcohol?

bossymoo

Ah. I see, it ml so how much is in the bottles.

The kit comes with the cleanser (which is effectively alcohol) but if you are buying separate you can get from chemists.

I'm currently wearing kitten heel pink with tangerine glitter on top! My mum has just called to say do I want money for my birthday this month (aww) so I can get a new colour or two

MrsE_2

bossymoo wrote: »

Cross posted!

It's gives you full instructions in the box, very easy.

Buff over nails gently with the emery board.
Use the cleanser / alcohol with a lint free wipe.
Swipe a touch of primer and air dry.
Base coat - cure for 30 seconds
Colour coat - cure for 60 seconds
Top coat - cure for 30 seconds
Wipe off residue with cleanser / alcohol.

The lamp has a timer - beeps after 30s and goes off after 60. The starter kit has all you need to put on, but not remove. One of them was on offer recently at b00ts for £45

So you can buy rubbing alcohol instead of the gel cleanser.
You need to buy the primer, base/top coat & colour from them?

I'm guessing you can buy acetone (neat or in nail polish remover?) to remove?

smileygill

The 1-5 sequence is right.

The "cleanser" is principally isopropyl alcohol, so when you run out you don't have to buy the proprietary stuff. Two layers of colour polish, sometimes three are needed. After the top coat has cured, wipe off with cleanser again and you're good to go.

The "wipes" are small, lint-free squares of non-woven fabric and I only use one per manicure. I've just finished the pack of 10 that came with the kit but got another one as my chosen free gift when I bought another colour. I was going to buy more on eBay but it doesn't seem necessary. Don't use cotton wool; it sheds fibres and sticks, making a nasty mess.

Sensationail sell their own remover, which is mostly acetone, so probably readily duplicated. They also sell foil "wraps"; each has an absorbent pad, which you soak with remover, then wrap up your nail and give it time to soften (you need to file off the shine first). Then you have to scrape off the polish, which isn't too bad if you have the right tool.

You can pour out a bowl of acetone/remover and soak your fingertips in it, but I didn't fancy that so bought some (much cheaper, and perfectly good) wraps from eBay.

(deep breath)
Steps back.

HTH!

natbags

I have the red carpet manicure (got it from QVC for the 30 money back guarantee) and its fab, super quality and a great range of colours etc... you can also buy add on items or top ups from Sallys - online web shop (they are hairdressers & beauty shop suppliers) last 2/3 weeks

bossymoo

If you bought the starter kit, this has the lamp, cleanser, primer, gel base and top coat, gel colour, small pack of wipes, orange stick and instructions which it states is enough for about 10 applications. Given how much I've used it, I'd say that is about right.

For removal you will need either their own remover or pure acetone (cheaper, can be bought from chemists), either cotton wool or kitchen paper plus regular kitchen foil. Buff the top layer a little to scratch it, soak a little cotton wool or kitchen paper in acetone and lay on the gel, wrap with a little foil to hold in place and soak for 10-15 min. I do one hand at a time. Gently ease off the polish once soaked with the slanted end of orange stick, or their removal tool if you buy one, and once it's all off, wipe with your cleanser / alcohol.


I don't think the primer is essential, but it apparently helps it all "stick". And yes, I've been told even the rubbing hand gel is fine to use, if you don't have their cleanser - it just removes any oil traces or other residue, again to help the gel stick.

It sound like a real faff, but it isn't.

It's an LED lamp rather than a UV one so just in case you ever get any colours or base coat from another brand make sure it says "for LED lamps" rather than UV. I think most are moving towards LED now.

Other than that, enjoy!

MrsE_2

smileygill wrote: »

The "wipes" are small, lint-free squares of non-woven fabric and I only use one per manicure. I've just finished the pack of 10 that came with the kit but got another one as my chosen free gift when I bought another colour. I was going to buy more on eBay but it doesn't seem necessary. Don't use cotton wool; it sheds fibres and sticks, making a nasty mess.

In the nail bars, they use cotton wool with I think non acetone remover to do this, or maybe it's rubbing alcohol.
But they soak the cotton wool, so it doesn't shed.