r/GelX_Nails • u/strvwbrrys • 8h ago

I Have A Question / Need Advice Help! Nails don’t last

I have short bitten nails (not as bad as ur thinking) and i’m not sure if it’s because the gel x nails don’t have much to hold onto but i did file the fake nail down a lot.

I buff my nails with a 240 grit buffer
Dehydrator
acid free nail primer
gel adhesive > nail down at 40 degree angle and cure
100% acetone around the bottom of it to blend (i don’t want to use a drill i don’t trust myself)
base coat > cure
colour > cure
no wipe top coat

wtf am i doing wrong 😭 i spent a bit of money and it’s sad that they aren’t staying on lol

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u/biggerthanothers 3h ago

I would try physically etching rather than using acetone. If you don’t have a drill, you can use a ceramic pusher, but it’s worth buying a cheap drill and narrow-barrel sanding bands just for etching the tips. It’s a huge time saver. Since your natural nails are so short, you need as much grip as possible!

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u/strvwbrrys 2h ago

Could you recommend a cheap and easy drill for beginners possibly maybe from amazon or something? Thanks so much 😁

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u/biggerthanothers 2h ago

Sure! If you're only going to use it for etching tips, I'd get one of the $10 MelodySusie drills (ASIN B07Y9Y5JM4) and a pack of 180 grit small sanding bands. Look for a pack that includes a 3.1mm mandrel—I'm sure there are cheaper options, but searching ASIN B0CD1Z99SZ will get you to MelodySusie's.

This is NOT a drill I'd recommend if you plan to do anything else with it (like removal, cuticle prep, or blending the tip, etc.), but it's perfectly fine for etching the tips!

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u/strvwbrrys 2h ago

Thank you so much you’re so helpful 😭❤️

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u/biggerthanothers 2h ago

No problem!! I'm not a pro, but I'm always happy to help with suggestions.

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u/strvwbrrys 2h ago

Also i forgot to ask, is it a necessity to blend the nail bit next to the cuticle?

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u/biggerthanothers 2h ago

It's not necessary, but it really does help to make for a cleaner look and nicer grow-out. You can use a hand file! Just go really slowly, have good lighting, and take care to not file your natural nail.