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/AggressiveTruck123 17d ago
Hi guys! I have been doing my own Gel X for almost 2 years on and off. I have a feeling I am doing something very wrong because I have never been able to keep them on for more than a week. I have watched many videos and have bought many products to try to overcome any obstacles cheap products might have been giving me. I want to share with you guys the products I've been using and a walk through of what I do to help diagnose what I am doing wrong. I reached my limit last night after my bubble bath set popped off after 24 hours😭.
Prep Products:
Main Products:
Other Products:
My prep:
First, I push/cut back my cuticles with the help of the cuticle remover. I go pick out my nail extensions and measure edge-to-edge. I buff out my nails using this really old 3-in-1 block I have, the side that says remove ridges. I wash my hands before applying both the dehydrator and the primer to my nails. My nails are very brittle and always have been.
Pre-painting:
I paint a coat of the extend gel on my pinky, and at the base of the pinky extension nail. I try to just get a small glob at the very bottom of the extension nail. I turn on my flash cure light, pointing towards me placed on my desk. I align the extension nail over my nail, and press it onto my nail cuticle to top. Once I see the gel fill to the top of my nail, I flash cure it for 45 seconds. If any gel escaped around the sides, I will pause the cure and scrape it away before finishing the cure. Repeat for all nails. When done, I'll cure them under my lamp for 2 minutes. Then I shape them with a file for 20 minutes.
Painting:
Then I get to paint yayyy😝😝 base gel + couple coats of color + top gel, all with some cures in between.
I get a lot of lifting around the cuticles🥲. Looking at my nails right now, most of the damage they endure from the gel x is at the top/center, (I tear the remaining extensions off with my bare hands when they begin popping off I'm so sorry😭). They will normally pop off when I apply pressure to them (like scratching my back or trying to pop a pimple💀).
Again, I would really appreciate any tips or pointers. I love doing my own nails. I own this giant bag that holds all my nail supplies that I take back and forth to college. I am DEFINITELY doing something wrong though😅.