Which service is right for me?
Nail Terms & Meanings
Acrylic
You may have had an acrylic service if your nail technician used a brush, dipped in monomer liquid and acrylic powder to create an overlay or extension on your nails. Similar to 'dip powder'.
Cuticle
Cuticle refers to the dry skin cells that adheres the proximal nail fold (skin) to your nail. This protein is removed to prevent gel polish/hard gel from lifting.
Eponychium
The eponychium is comprised of live skin cells whilst the cuticle is dead skin cells. Its function is to protect the area between the nail and epidermis from exposure to bacteria. During a machine manicure, the eponychium is lifted, but left intact, to achieve a closer polish application.
Nail Bed & Plate
The nail plate is the hard part of the nail, made of translucent keratin protein. The nail bed is the skin underneath the nail plate. You will often hear nail bed in reference to length: Long nail beds vs short nail beds.
Nail Dehydrator
A dehydrator is used with all gel services. A minimal amount is wiped onto clean, textured nails to remove oils that may cause lifting or inadequate adherence.
Nail Primer & Bonder
The term “bonder” is applied to gel systems, and “primer” is for acrylic, but they both bind to the keratin in the nail bed to create a stronger bond for the enhancement product.
Gel Base Coat
Base coats have a multi function (1) to create better adherence of gel polish to your nail (2) to create a smoother finish in preparation for gel polish application. Base coats self level, settling in to any depressions or irregularities on the nail.
Free Edge
The nail tip or free edge is the free part of the nail bed and extends beyond the end of the finger. It protects the tissue directly beneath it called hyponechium. When applying polish, nail techs 'cap the free edge' to prevent chipping.
Soft Gel
Otherwise known as 'soak-off gel' because it can be removed by soaking in acetone/acetone-like products. In polish-form, it is not strong enough to support an extension but new innovations have offered a soak-off alternative in soft gel tips and gel overlays.
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Usage: Soft Gel Manicures, soakable Gel Overlays & soakable Gel Extension tips.
Gel Polish
Commonly, and incorrectly, referred to as 'shellac'. Shellac is a well known gel polish Name Brand. Gel Polish is a form of soft gel that requires a UV/LED lamp to cure or set the color application on your nails. It is very thin in nature and cannot be used to create extensions.
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Usage: Soft Gel Manicures
Hard Gel
Traditional gel is most often used to create nail extensions for its strength and durability. It can be seen in a thick jelly-like consistency (extensions) or in a thin liquid form most often used in gel overlays.
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Usage: Non-soakable Extensions, Nail Repairs & Non-soakable Gel Overlays.
How to Make my Nails Last
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Choose a comfortable nail length to avoid breaking.
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Choose a light colour that offers inconspicuous growth.
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Use gloves, to protect your manicure, whenever possible.
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Invest in a good hand cream and cuticle oil.
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Refrain from peeling your nails. See your nail tech for a fix before it becomes a bigger challenge for your nails.
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Be aware that constant hand washing causes nails to expand and contract making lifting almost inevitable.
(see point #3) -
Return to your nail tech within a reasonable time frame:
2-3 weeks following a gel polish manicure
3-4 weeks following a gel overlay or extensions -
Push back your overgrown cuticles when they are damp/soft. It will keep your grown out manicure looking fairly new.
DIY Easy Nail Fixes
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Invest in a glass nail file! Glass files will prevent nails from peeling and promote healthier nail growth.
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Keep a nail file or sponge buffer on-hand to treat small breaks and prevent snagging.
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You can apply clear regular polish on top of your cured gel to extend your wear by a few days.
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File and buff nails to shorten them, on your own, between nail visits. Do not use a nail trimmer. They can crack the gel, creating lifts and further breakage.
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Use a bit of nail glue to seal a lift to prevent snagging and water/debris from getting under your gel.
See your nail tech asap. -
If touching up your own gel polish, be sure to buff the shiny layer first to prevent new layer from peeling off.
