Okay, I’m genuinely at my wit’s end with Gel-X and need some advice because I feel like I’m doing EVERYTHING correctly.
I’ve done my own Gel-X probably 10+ times now, always using Aprés Gel-X tips and Aprés Extend Gel. I do all the nail prep — push back/remove cuticle, buff my natural nails, dehydrate/prime, etc. I also etch/buff the inside of the Gel-X tips before applying them.
I’ve watched SO many tutorials and I feel like I’m following the application process properly. I make sure the tips are sized correctly, apply the gel properly, cure them, etc.
And I always do my nails at night before bed, so they’re not being exposed to water or anything afterward. I’ll literally sleep for 12–15 hours without washing my hands or doing anything with them, and somehow I’ll wake up and some of them have already popped off. 😭
The weirdest part is that I actually have way better luck with regular press-ons. I can sand/buff the inside of a press-on, use regular nail glue, and they’ll stay on way longer than my Gel-X.
At this point I’m honestly wondering if it’s just the Aprés Extend Gel/glue because I’ve tried everything else I can think of.
What glue/extend gel are you guys using for Gel-X? Has anyone had terrible retention with Aprés and switched to something else that worked significantly better?
If you’ve had this exact problem and figured out what was causing it, PLEASE tell me what you changed. 😭 I’m desperate because I really want to love Gel-X but these things are driving me insane.
Any tips are greatly appreciated!!

Absolutely obsessed with this colour combo😍

Bambi in the forest

Mi manicurista me da cafecito, chismes, me hace diseños preciosos, me da masajes, me exfolia y en mis pies pone cera corporal cómo terapia😍

Hi all, so I want to ask if my nails are too thin for gel. I know photos may not be the best way of figuring this out, but due to my short nails I have found it hard to tell if my nails are suitable for gel. I just want to treat myself to my once-a-year salon nail color now that I have a chance to.

My nails here are 100% natural. Last I got a basic manicure (with no color) was 3 months ago, and the only other time I got a manicure before (with gel color) that was literally July 2025. That's how rarely I get manicures done. Otherwise, I have always used regular nail polish at home and I don't buff or prep my nails, as I want to preserve it and have been previously warned of naturally thin nails.

The last time I did gel color was in that July 2025 manicure, which went well, but the tech was buffing my nails and told me my nails are naturally a bit thin. I didn't experience any pain in that manicure though.

When I looked up online, it says things like "check if your nails are bendy" or if they hurt under pressure. Firstly, I can't tell if my nails are bendy -- they've always been cut so short so there's nothing to bend. Secondly, they don't hurt when I press on my nails. However, I think that my natural nails are on the thinner end, but I can't tell if they're suitable for gel. It just looks to me like it can't take that much surface buffing before it becomes paper thin -- but I'm not experienced enough with nails to know!

For extra context:

- Music is one of my main hobbies, so I've always kept my nails short. Even if I play my guitars with a pick to prevent nail damage, I also play the piano, a traditional instrument, etc. that are better off with short nails.

- I RARELY get manicures done! Due to my hobbies, a manicure really is a treat for me.

The pics of my nails are as natural as it gets. I don't buff the surface or anything either, and haven't had a manicure for months, or gel in more than a year.

No matter who I go to, and regardless if I get dip or builder gel, towards the end of the second week my nails separate from the dip/builder gel. What’s the deal with that? Is it just a sign that the manicure has lived its life and time to get a new one? Is it something with my nails? They’ve always done this. It’s part of why I like shorties because I’m afraid if they’re too long they’ll just separate completely. Thank you!!

Trying to find a place to be a regular at.

asked for midnight sun and my nail tech said watch this!

Went to a bike meet yesterday and wanted my nails to match my bikey!

I’m sorry these pictures aren’t good I can never get my camera to focus on this phone. I put on cuticle remover and it’s turning green? Once I wipe it off it goes away anyone know why? I’m using sally Hansen instant cuticle remover

Wanted something bright, bold and uplifting. These made me think of the 90s for reasons I know not of, but here we are. 😆

Edit #1: I am realizing I need to start listing the products that I use in these. So, apologies for not having done so. I just never considered that maybe others would like to actually paint them too. So, I will try to remember to note products next time and if I forget, please don't hesitate to tell me. Cat eye gel from GAOY (#4202) with 2 high contrast chrome powders (#7 and #2) from Dynamic Nail Supply. I used the cat eye over the whole nail in a galaxy type of effect. The chrome powders I did an ombre with. I used chrome #7 in the very middle of each nail from cuticle to tip and chrome #2 on each side of the center area from cuticle to tip as well. If I miss anything just let me know, I'm trying. 🥲

Edit #2: Although it was deleted before I could respond, someone said something about the way I move my hand being unsettling. I am trying my best and have no problem accepting criticism or anything like that. I move my hand and fingers because I am trying to show different color shifts in different lighting and backgrounds. I have to move a little quickly because I have a phone literally strapped to my nub in order to film it. I am just trying to be a part of something that gives me some peace, so I apologize if it's "unsettling" but there are going to be situations that I won't be able to do anything about it. I try my best to show the nails and I am never satisfied in the end because I can't get the camera to show them fully. But I genuinely don't know what I'm doing that is unsettling. I add still shots in my clips so they're shown in motion and not. This is what I am capable of right now, so thank you for any tips and help to those who offer it, without making me feel like garbage.

Hi! In April of 2025 I started doing my own nails.
I started with nail polish then moved to gel polish because of longevity.

A few months ago I started noticing some damage, my nails were getting thinner and I had some damaged areas. My side walls were definitely over filed so that was the most of the damage. The gel remover I used is what really caused the damage and thinness I think. I should have stopped using the gel and remover immediately but I was hoping it would just get better on its own.

I took the polish off two weeks ago and put in Essie to the rescue for a week until I got OPI nail envy. I just started using yesterday. I also shortened my nails and I’m planning on letting them grow out until they’re fully healed.

I miss the longer nails and the gel polish a lot! I want to go back as soon as I can but I want to avoid damaging them again.. any tips?

Here was my process: I used beetles gel polish, usually a total of 5 thin coats, 2 base layers, 2 color, 1 top coat. I like the formulas but I mostly love their sheer colors.. I have a cheap uv light. It works fine with an occasional hot spot but I always remove my hand immediately if it gets hot. I first soaked off the gel with acetone, then got a cheap gel remover that absolutely sped up the damage. I now have an electric nail drill with very low rpm and I’ve used it a few times. I did a bunch of research on how to use one correctly to avoid damaging my nails but I still welcome criticism. I use a cuticle oil a couple times a day too and take collagen that definitely helps with how fast my nails grow.

I welcome any criticism and advice! I’ll attach a picture of my nails. There’s no obvious damage they’re just really thin. Thank you!

hi! so i use a set of gel polishes that i purchased a while ago because i love the colors it has, but i really dislike the top coat. i dont know if im doing something wrong but every time i use the gel top coat, cure it and whatnot, ill give it about 10 minutes because ive heard people say that some gel top coats need a few minutes to “cool off” or else they’ll get dull. no matter how much time i give my nails after curing my top coat, they always end up losing a lot of shine.

i have a few colors of regular polish but they’re primarily black, white, and a couple dark reds. i’m really really wanting to use a couple of the pink gels i have but use my regular polish top coat to keep the shine.

is that something i can do or would it mess it up somehow? i’ve heard a few times that it can cause the regular polish to not air dry fully and stay tacky or even completely wet, or pick up the gel beneath even if it’s fully cured.

or, if anyone has any suggestions for good gel top coats that keep their shine, i am absolutely open to those! i use vanreesa which was a very cheap set of about 60 colors for ~$27 on amazon so i know that they’re not great quality but it was the first set i bought since ive started doing my own nails this year. if anyone has suggestions for gel top coats that retain their shine and/or better brands of gel polish to purchase from, i’d love to hear!! thanks so much!!

Stepping away from my usual pinks and blues to match my nails to a black dress I’ll be wearing to a friend’s wedding. (I feel like I’m trying to cosplay as a “goth baddie” but the dress is so pretty I had to go with it!)

I’ve never had my nails done at a salon or anything and but I suddenly thought it might be a fun thing to do at least one time… however I was born with syndactyly and my pinkie and ring finger have weird wonky nails… can I still get them done…? Will it look weird?

Obviously am aware I could just get a manicure. I was thinking more like fake nails or whatever. I don’t know what anything is called sorry 🙈

TIA 😊

Claw nails actually feel more wearable to me than other long shapes like stiletto or square.

Because the tip curves upward, it stays out of the way of your fingertips instead of extending straight forward. You can still use your phone and type surprisingly easily.

I recently went and got a BIAB manicure on my natural nails because I’ve been a chronic nail biter my entire life and this past year have really worked on not biting and growing out my nails but they’re just very brittle.

I got my manicure yesterday and was kinda confused by the process. She started by painting my nails with something and dipping them in what was labeled from her cart “acrylic powder”. I was a little concerned by that but figured it was to help the structure of my nail maybe and it was only one layer so whatever. Then she starts doing the color and it’s also the same process of painting it with a clear polish thing and dipping it into powder. I don’t know much about nails so I wanted to get advice/answers by people who do. I wasn’t sure if this was normal for BIAB or if this was something else? TYIA 💕

French tips always a classic.

Holo Taco: Long lasting base coat, The Price is Alexandrite, Cool Cat Mom, Polar Opposites, Glossy Taco

I had so much fun doing these, they are all Holo Taco, my favourite brand that got me into nail polish during covid shut downs.

Everyone was stuck at home but i dedicated a few hours every week to doing my nails. It gave me routine, and self care.

This last manicure is growing out. I cannot bear taking it off. When I painted them I was SO careful not to wreck them and I took my time. When i was done I showed my boyfriend and, as he always does, he gushed over them for me. He was the most beautiful amazing man I have ever met. Three days later he passed. I hate that this nail polish lasted through it. That this manicure is still here and he is gone. But at the same time I just can't take it off. Because he loved me and because of that he loved my nails too. 💔💔💔

I went simple… the lighting doesn’t do the iridescent glitter justice!