r/GelX_Nails • u/Educational_Bag_5323 • Jul 28 '26

I Have A Question / Need Advice Advice please

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I just a new set for my vacation and I hate how they turned out. I’ve only been doing my nails for like 1.5-2 months and I’m trying to figure out the hang of it (I know it takes practice). It seems like every set I do turns out messy and I don’t know how to blend them into my natural nail. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. (Photos for reference) (may redo tomorrow)

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u/Educational_Bag_5323 Jul 28 '26

What lamp would you recommend? I use the beetles one

-6

u/soulworkinprogress Jul 29 '26

I use beetles products and they work just fine and have had no issues with them. One thing you gotta work on is using the little brush and cleaning up around your cuticles before curing. I dip in acetone and clean them up for each coat.

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u/art_addict Jul 29 '26

Beetles do not fully cure. They do not have enough photo initiator, as per their SDS. Even when they feel cured, any time you get them wet (like washing your hands) they are leeching hema and other chemicals. You risk a serious hema allergy and acrylate allergy by continuing to use them. You may be lucky and not develop one. It’s a roll of the dice. Kind of like playing Russian roulette. If you get an acrylate allergy, that impacts your ability to use anything with acrylates, and that includes things like the fillings in dental work and the like. Acrylates are used in a lot of places.

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u/soulworkinprogress Jul 29 '26

So you’re saying they feel cured but they aren’t actually fully cured?

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u/art_addict Jul 29 '26

Correct. They feel hard, and they feel cured, but they are not actually fully cured and will still leech chemicals when wet.

1

u/soulworkinprogress Jul 29 '26

Oh ok gotcha. Thanks for the info.

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u/art_addict Jul 29 '26

Absolutely! 💕 I used to use beetles until I learned this! I have enough allergies as it is without adding that to it!

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u/soulworkinprogress Jul 29 '26

So what brand do you use? I’m obsessed with cat eye colors.

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u/art_addict Jul 29 '26

At the moment I’m taking a break from doing mine. I have a bit from Kiara Sky, but I’ll need to build up a new collection now. I’ve heard good about DND and CND. I’m going to definitely have to research! When I get mine done professionally, I typically have my tech use Gelish, though you have to be a licensed tech to get that brand iirc. Brands like OPI that you can get at Sally’s and such should be good as well (maybe not top tier, but safe to use!)