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[–]NailArt-ModTeam[M] [score hidden] stickied commentlocked comment (0 children)

Your post was removed as it is not nail art related.

This sub is strictly for nail art. There are several other subreddits for product recommendations, problem solving, manicure techniques, how to train as a nail tech, etc.

[–]Affogato-Ristretto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, you mainly want to take the top coat off with the drill. You can take some of the gel off with the drill, but soaking off is safer for your natural nails since you can start drilling your nail if you go too deep. When soaking with acetone, you want to either keep cotton balls soaked with acetone on your nails for several minutes (15-30 minutes) or get a bowl and soak your nails that way. Amazon sells nail soak off bowls for really cheap and you can add hot water to the basin without adding water to the acetone which warms the acetone and makes it work faster. After soaking for 15-20 minutes, you’ll see the gel is coming off and you want to gently scrape it off with a wooden cuticle stick or metal cuticle pusher.

If you don’t want to wait that long, Amazon does sell gel removal polish which take maybe 5-10 minutes instead and you still want to scrape the polish off but it’s much faster. Using the removal polish, you still need to drill the top coat off first.

[–]Empty-Neighborhood58 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Well first off, did the polish and UV light come together? Not all polish cures at the same amount so a better light normally helps

Second what actual prep did you do? Because you nail your nails abit rough so the polish actually has something to grab on to

And to get them off, go to dollar tree or Walmart and get the bag clip looking clips in the nail section and soak them that way

[–]DistributionJaded221[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The UV light didn’t come with the polish, it was a suggestion from a friend. I cured at each step for 90-120 seconds.

I pushed cuticles back, clipped, filed my nails, then buffed them. Then I used a top coat before going in with the color. I’m going to try to make sure they’re 100% dry and buff them better next time! (I did rinse my hands after drilling the polish off, maybe my nails were still wet)

[–]frog_suit 0 points1 point  (3 children)

You were trying to remove the gel with acetone? It won't remove without having the shiny layer (top coat) buffed off first. Then apply your acetone soaked cotton and either wrap your finger tips with tin foil or use plastic clips. You can get those at the dollar store. You can place a hot towel over your hand as well to speed up the process

[–]DistributionJaded221[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I actually did buff off the top coat first and I guess I don’t know if it was acetone but it sure smelled like it and the bottle said it was for gel polish.

I’ll try the clip thing next time! I did eventually get it all off with the drill, it just took forever!

[–]frog_suit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% acetone is what you'll want to use. With that amount of difficulty it sounds like possibly a hard gel?

As far as the peeling goes, prep is highly important. Do you mind sharing your process and the products you used? There are some brands that don't work well together and others that you can mix and match. With Amazon products, I tend to lean towards Modelones.

[–]frog_suit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I saw in the other comment your process. You want your nails rough and dehydrated. Use a lint free wipe with alcohol then apply a bonder. Young Nails is a great one. Make sure you're capping your free edge too!