All about gel-varnishes for nails

In this review we will tell you everything about gel-varnishes for nails. Let's find out the history of creating these products. Also we will consider, why gel-varnish is not removed and what to undertake in such cases. Here are detailed instructions for applying and removing gel compositions for nails.

History of creation

The idea of creating such a product was worn in the air from the beginning of the era of nail extensions. Masters had in the arsenal of transparent, pink and white gels. Some inventors added a paste to the transparent composition from the ballpoint pen, getting a new color. Immediately the industry reacted: began to produce colored gels with the addition of pigments. These remedies were not erased by the liquid to remove the varnish. They had to be cut, as well as constructing a gel for building. Although painting with acrylic paints was very popular, it was not possible to add it to the gel, since the material did not polymerize in the lamp. Then avant-garde manicure salons tried to add nail polish to the constructing composition. This violated its structure and deprived it of durability.

The next step was to create biogels. The name meant to inspire confidence among consumers is nothing more than a commercial move. There are no biocomponents there - solid chemistry. But these gels could be dissolved. This became a new word in the nail industry. OPI produces a line of soluble color gels in the Axxium system, which includes new products for nail extensions instead of Microbond. These colored compounds have the name Axxium soak-off on the jars, which means "soluble", and below it is written gel-lacquer (gel-lacquer) in small letters .

Despite the name, it was a real gel. It could be applied to nails without cutting. It was dissolved with a liquid to remove varnish, only the exposure time was increased. The upper top layer was broken by several swings of the saw, without it he did not act. At that time it was all about gel-lacquers.

The CND company produces the product Shellac, whose name immediately becomes a household name. There are many brands that claim the uniqueness of their product. What to do is the market! Finally, OPI releases Gelcolor - the only one until the 6th generation gel, which is far behind its competitors. It does not have a varnish component, like all other products, so the nails do not deteriorate. Due to the fact that the varnish evaporates from the surface, microcracks are formed on the coating. They do not protect from the effects of solvents and the harmful effects of the environment. The company did not have a product of the 5th generation - a hybrid of varnish and gel. Coating using an LED lamp takes 15 minutes, one layer dries 30 seconds.

Thin, soft nails

Everything about gel-lacquers became known after the release of Shellac from CND. This product seemed to be the ideal solution, but the time was passing, and everything changed. It turned out that not all are suitable for this innovation. Thin, soft nails still needed strengthening, not wanting to wear a new cover. The plate at the free edge is flexible, bends when working behind the keyboard and when washing dishes. The coating does not stand and breaks. Shellac from CND is technologically applied by a thin layer, designed to prolong the durability of manicure, and not to strengthen the nails. Single-phase gel varnishes appeared, more rigid. That is why the coating often had chips on the free edge (it simply broke off, so that it was not possible to strengthen the nails ).

To understand in what direction to move on, you need to know everything about gel-varnishes for nails. The adhesion to the plate is superficial. An acid-free primer is used here, otherwise the coating would be non-removable. A new technology appears: the end of the nail is treated with an acidic primer, and the gel-varnish on the tip of the free edge becomes insoluble. It was assumed that after 2 weeks the master simply cuts the overgrown length along with the insoluble coating and applied a new one.

But the flexible nails continued to bend. First, small meshes of fissures formed on them, then the coating turned into a mosaic and lost one by one its pieces. The nail, exposed to acid and household solvents penetrating through the cracks, quickly came to exhaustion and dystrophy. He disconnected from the bed and was not a spectacle for the faint-hearted. They talked about the dangers of such products. Masters tried to tell their clients everything about gel nail varnishes, but sometimes their knowledge and experience was not enough.

Removal of gel-varnish: correct and barbaric

Shellac from CND is removed after the saw blade breaks the integrity of the top layer and wraps the fingers in foil with sponge impregnated with acetone-containing agent for 15-20 minutes. Then, the curled covering is peeled off with an orange stick. Gelcolor from OPI is removed without sawing the top layer. It is not necessary to clean off the nail, because everything is flying off in a wrapper. How do customers take pictures? Pulling the detachment, they tear off the coating with the top layer of the nail.

Sometimes in the training courses, manicure is not all told about gel-lacquers. For beginners, only the tops of the iceberg are open. Secrets of the profession are left for the refresher course. Materials science is taught far from every course, leaving it content with the brand on which the training takes place. As a result, the master removes the coating not with an orange stick, but with a metal pusher. Instead of movements on the nail plate from the side rollers to the center, move from the cuticle to the free edge, making notches. Instead of an acid-free primer, the entire nail is acidified, and the gel-lacquer becomes insoluble. Now it can be removed only by cutting. The market reacted immediately: a gel-varnish cutter is produced. So the progressive coating is discredited.

Myths and truths

Deciding to make a fashionable cover, many try to learn everything about gel-lacquers, though they do not always receive information from reliable sources. At international exhibitions, such as "Intercharm", you can get maximum useful information and choose a brand of gel-lacquer for yourself. Instructors will show how to do the drawing, how to shoot, how and on what you can save, and where not worth it. Apply a coating to the nail to test the quality of its wearing.

Only in this way it is possible to find out what is appropriate for a given person with his nail condition. Having selected several brands, by trial and error you can learn everything about gel-varnishes. Myths are sometimes born from improper adherence to technology or illiterate selection of materials.

Myths:

1. Gel-varnish spoils the nails.
2. After such a coating, the plates should rest.
3. Nails do not breathe under gel-varnish.

True:

1. If you choose a low-quality product and do not comply with the technology, you can really spoil your nails. Before coating, the plate is treated with a soft buff to remove the effusion and raise the scales. The bass has a small grit (this is the amount of abrasive in square centimeter), it can not be compared with a rough file (100 grit). But the self-taught person bravely operates such a tool, arguing that the gel-varnish is better kept. Having cut half the thickness of the nail, the master wizard applies the acid primer for the same reason. It burns the upper layer of nail flakes. The material is eaten tightly. When the gel-lacquer grows on half of the nail, it is cut down, but not completely, but to the base layer, then a new coating is applied. If the client has got into the usual salon working on certified materials, they will do the removal procedure, but to no avail. The case will end by cutting all layers, as a result of which the nail plate with a chemical burn will be exposed. After that, the client will not go to the salon anymore, but will continue to write to the master at home - he does not see the nail bed, because he simply does not remove the coating to such an extent. In such cases, not only the gel-lacquer is discredited, but also the certified master, as well as the salon that fulfills all the requirements of Rospotrebnadzor.
2. The statement that nails should rest after a varnish, it is possible to compare to a phrase - "boots should have a rest after a cream". Well, let the boots rest, then instead of the cream on them will settle the reagent salts, dry and destroy the structure. Everyone understands this and constantly flushes the old layer of the compound and applies a new one. Why are the nails do not protect, allowing unprotected plates to absorb detergents that dry them? No cream will save, if you constantly wash your hands and dishes. In fact, the coating, at least the usual varnish, protects the nails from the external environment. The same is done by gel-varnish, you should only monitor its integrity and seal the chips in time.
3. Nails can not breathe at all. Under the artificial material they are protected from harmful chemical and mechanical influences.

That's all about gel-lacquers. Myths and truth give a complete picture of these products.

Advice to young masters. UV or LED - what to choose?

Some gel-varnishes are designed for UV lamps, others for LED. In the first variant LED-gels are not polymerized, and vice versa. For those who are just starting their way into the profession, I want to know everything about gel-lacquers, and how to use a UV lamp. If you do not intend to build up, then you can immediately buy an LED-device. On sale, you can find UV varnishes. To work with them, you need to buy drops for polymerization in the LED-lamp.

If nevertheless the decision is made to acquire a UV lamp, then an undoubted advantage is enjoyed by a 36 watt tunnel device. It is designed for 4 interchangeable elements. Such devices are of two types, and they need lamps of different designs. The service life of the replacement element is approximately six months, then it changes properties, although it turns on and on, but the gel-varnish ceases to dry. In order not to have an unpleasant moment, it is better to always have 4 replacement lamps in stock.

We recommend to purchase a set for beginners from a small LED-lamp and five single-phase gel-varnishes. Such sets are in online stores. The application of single-phase products should begin with the standard preparation of nails. Then, the base is used very thinly, rubbing the applied gel-lacquer. This layer polymerizes. Then, two more polymerization layers are conducted. After the final application, the nails "cool down". Further, the polymerization process, started in the lamp, ends, and a beautiful shine is obtained. Only after this is applied the oil. It's all about gel-lacquers for LED lamps. Since not all brands of gel-varnishes can be bought freely in stores, two Chinese products attract attention: Cody and Bluesky.

"Bluesky" - Chinese brand

"Bluesky" products are certified. It has 152 shades of color. To learn all about gel-lacquers "Bluesky", it is enough to get acquainted with the technology of coverage. It includes such stages:

1. Manicure. This is the standard preparation of nails to apply an artificial coating.
2. The application of the base, sealing of the ends, polymerization in the UV lamp 1 minute, LED-device - 30 seconds.
3. Applying the first layer of color gel-varnish, sealing the ends, polymerization in the UV lamp 2 minutes, LED - 30 seconds for light and 60 seconds for a darker shade.
4. Applying the second layer of color gel-varnish, sealing the ends, polymerization in the UV lamp 2 minutes, LED - 30 seconds for light and 60 seconds for a darker shade.
5. Topcoating, sealing the ends, curing in the UV lamp for 3 minutes, LED - 30 seconds.
6. Removal of the dispersion layer, application of oil for the cuticle.

The coating time is 30 minutes in the UV lamp, the LED - 15.

And finally everything about gel-lacquers "Bluesky" will tell the process of removing the coating. Manufacturers advise the use of the "lacquered square" technique (before the application of the base, the middle of the nail is covered with an ordinary base for the varnish coating) and do not treat the nails with a buff before applying the coating.

1. With a 180 grit file, we remove the top layer of the coating.
2. The liquid for removing acrylic nails is moistened with a quarter of the wadded disk, applied to the nail, wrapped in a foil the size of a candy wrapper. Put on your hands polyethylene gloves.
3. We withstand 15 minutes, wrapping a warm towel. Additional heat is the catalyst of the process. You can use a hot water bottle.
4. Slightly twisting the wrap, remove it from the nail. We process one finger. If the coating is not completely removed from the plate, gently with an orange stick we apply a gel-lacquer film towards the center of the nail.
5. After removing the remnants of the coating, do a manicure and apply again.

In practice, you may encounter non-compliance with the technology of application and removal of gel-varnish. In general, Chinese products are not so easy to clean with nails. To simplify the task, you can recommend the use of the OPI database and top. In this case, remove the top layer should not be, because in OPI it is soluble. In conclusion, we can add that the manufacturer "Bluesky" has exactly transferred colors of Shellac palette from CND to its materials.

Cody is an American brand

This product is certified. To learn all about the gel-lacquer "Codes", the palette of which has more than 400 shades, it is enough to conduct a test similar to the "Blueskiy". For this, an LED lamp is used, the polymerization of which is 30 seconds.

Coating:

1. Manicure, the standard preparation of nails to apply artificial coating.
2. Base application, sealing of ends, polymerization.
3. Application of 1 layer of color gel-varnish, sealing of ends, polymerization.
4. Application of the 2nd layer of color gel-varnish, sealing of the ends, polymerization.
5. Topcoat application, sealing of ends, polymerization.
6. Removal of dispersion, application of oil.

Coating removal:

1. We remove the top layer with a file.
2. A special liquid of the firm "Cody" impregnates a quarter of the wadded disk, placed on the nail, wrapping a foil the size of a candy wrapper. Put on your hands polyethylene gloves.
3. We withstand 10 minutes.
4. We take off the nail from the nail. We process one finger. Coverage should be removed, like Shellac from CND, gradually clearing the nail from it.
5. After taking off, do a manicure and apply again.

It's all about gel-lacquers for beginners. To fully use the potential of "Cody" you should purchase the base, top and auxiliary tools of the same line.

Mirror manicure

The starter kit contains the minimum of products required for the service. Most likely, a novice master, seeing the price of a large nylon company, wants to know everything about gel-lacquers, and what is needed is a top without a sticky layer. Some designs are made using this particular top. For example, a mirror manicure. To implement it, the following technology will be required:

1. Standard preparation of nails.
2. Cover gel-varnish in 2 layers.
3. Top without a sticky layer.
4. Rubbing the mirror powder.
5. Top coating.

Rubbing is carried out with the help of firm sponge in circular motions. In the middle of the nail, you can help yourself with your thumb pads. At lateral rollers put a powder with an orange stick.

Manicure «Cat's Eye»

Beginners wishing to know everything about the gel-varnish for manicure "Cat's Eye". To create it requires a special composition and a magnet. The technology is as follows:

1. Standard preparation of nails.
2. Cover gel-varnish in 2 layers.
3. Magnet submission for 1 second, polymerization in a lamp.
4. Topcoat application.

In order for the strip to be narrow and clear, the magnet is brought 1 mm to the surface of the gel-varnish, and if a strip with more diffuse boundaries is needed, by 5 mm.

It is not necessary to buy all the magnetic gel varnishes that the manufacturer offers. To create pastel designs, the first layer is made white, for bright - black. The second layer is colored. Having three varnishes colored, black and white, you can create a rich palette. It can be blue, red and yellow shades. If the colors are sufficiently clean, this is enough to have the entire palette of the rainbow in the arsenal.

Which company is better

When the masters meet, professional conversations begin - everything becomes clear about gel-lacquers. Which company is better? Nobody will argue with the fact that implantation of teeth is the best kind of prosthetics. Another question is how much does it cost? Conversations of the masters working in interiors on known brands, will reveal the top-5 well-known respected brands:

1. OPI is the industry leader, the Hollywood brand.
2. CND is an untwisted American product, to which many craftsmen are devoted.
3. Formula Profi is a Russian brand with many admirers.
4. Runail - domestic products of economy class.
5. Mozart House - Austrian brand, overtaking competitors.

Conversations of non-professionals will reveal a completely different segment of the market of the nail industry. This will be Chinese products, sometimes bought in an online store or ordered for "Ali-Express." Certification does not have such a product, so the responsibility for its use rests with the buyer.

Many girls, trying to find out everything about gel-varnishes themselves, following the method of trial and error, communicating on forums and approaching the truth, realized that it is worth to learn in a good school on good materials, otherwise the master's way will resemble wandering in darkness.

There are principles of combining the products of the nail industry:

• Do not go beyond the chosen brand;
• Materials can be any company;
• Before applying another brand, you either need to completely remove the previous cover, or go through the buff and start from the base of the new manufacturer.

Usually American products are combined, American and Chinese - not all are combined, others can present a surprise in the form of a wrinkled coating in the lamp, which has completely disappeared due to a lack of adhesion, delaminations and poor material removal.

In this review we considered All about gel-lacquers, but new products are still being produced, an ideal formula is being sought that is suitable for everyone. With the advent of this coating, the era of nail design has come. Classics changed the colors: now it is not pale pink, but red tones. What else will gel-lacquer prepare? Will wait.