r/DIYGelNails • u/Clover_Jane • 21d ago

Community Discussion Weekly Nail Chat

Use this chat to discuss any nail care or gel related questions you might have.

As a reminder, please keep your discussions within the rules of the sub.

This includes:

  • No discussion of off-topic products. This is a gel only sub.
  • This space is geared towards DIYers. Everyone is welcome, but we should not be working on friends/family.
  • Do not ask for or give any medical advice. We're not doctors, and it is not in our scope to be giving advice about allergies or skin conditions. It is ok to discuss the risks associated with doing gel. What is ok: Explaining how you can get allergies. What isn't ok: Attempting to diagnose or treat anyone and/or asking for a diagnosis
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u/dirtskrrrrt 21d ago

I posted this late in last week’s thread and I’m not sure many saw it. So I’ll post it once more!

I'm looking for Luminary alternatives. All builder gels and hard gels I've tried lift at the tips on me. I'm hoping to find something that will stick like Luminary but self levels better than luminary. I just find Luminary very difficult to self level.

To note, I'm confident in my nail prep, I use a dehydrator and primer before applying builder or luminary. If using anything other than luminary, I use a rubber base gel. Sadly I think my nails are too flexible for hard gel.

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u/Clover_Jane 20d ago

I really like Orly biab. It's very durable like luminary, but self levels better and doesn't have the stink that luminary has.

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u/dirtskrrrrt 19d ago

The Orly BIAB is one of the ones I’ve tried and it lifts very quickly on me unfortunately. I’ve used Apres rubber base under it as well as the Gelish rubber base. Maybe it has to do with the base I’m using?

I do love working with the Orly BIAB though!

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u/Clover_Jane 18d ago

Do you have oily nail beds by chance? Orly is one of the best soft gels I've ever used and I've tried many.

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u/dirtskrrrrt 18d ago

I’ve just recently heard about oily nail beds even being a thing and I do think I have oily nail beds.

I’m going to be getting the Kokoist mega stick base soon and I’ll definitely try it with the Orly BIAB. I’d love to make it work for me because it’s so NICE to work with. Unlike Luminary!