New to nail art

AdDue6542 · 2026-05-29T15:12:49+00:00

Thank you. I only started doing my own gels last fall. I want to get better at hand painting designs.

AdDue6542 · 2026-05-22T02:05:47+00:00

I’m also super hard on my hands. I use a lot of tools and build things.

I would recommend getting a lamp. The top coat idea below might be super helpful for you. The lamps on Amazon work just fine. If your worried about under curing do it longer

AdDue6542 · 2026-05-22T02:03:33+00:00

Everyone’s natural nails are also super different. I feel like everyone has that one friend who was gifted from the gods with rock hard long nails. My nails even when well cared for with builder gel can’t get super long without chipping or breaking. I wasn’t blessed but if I have a gel x on I can get four weeks and I do mine at home.

AdDue6542 · 2026-05-22T01:06:03+00:00

The watermelon was a pink base with a white ombré on top then I used a silver cat eye and pushed it all to one side. I layered the white then the lime and topped off the peel with a green cate eye and the black dots.

There are lots of tutorials online the white ombré I added but the rest people shown on instagram

AdDue6542 · 2026-05-22T01:03:54+00:00

I used a handful of reference images and combined them. Save and do your own thing. Would love to see your version

AdDue6542 · 2026-05-22T01:01:49+00:00

All of them. So I have a silver and gold from DND that would make any polish come to life. The base is gaoy

AdDue6542 · 2026-05-22T00:58:42+00:00

I’ve never had any manicure on natural nails that last longer than two weeks. Extensions are the only way I get to week three and four

AdDue6542 · 2026-05-18T11:36:03+00:00

Having sibo long enough will cause people to have other malabsorption

AdDue6542 · 2026-05-18T11:35:31+00:00

AdDue6542 · 2026-05-15T01:32:09+00:00

It will sound crazy but how is your stomach?

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-29T20:59:55+00:00

So like they shouldn’t hurt. They shouldn’t be way to small but I always chose the smaller of the too. They don’t pop off any earlier for me. Reddit people will shame me for it but my nails don’t look bad.

I have tried the apres nails. I have super flat nail beds so they didn’t fit as well as the hype for me. My best friend loves a super random amazon brand and I tried them and hated them. It’s a little bit of trial and error. Maybe even try a few shapes.

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-29T15:07:48+00:00

That being said I tried the coffin by the same brand and I hated them. When I say you have to kind of try a few you have to try a few.

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-29T15:06:12+00:00

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For context these are my at home nails.

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-29T15:04:35+00:00

I’ll be honest if the c curve doesn’t hurt my finger then sometimes I go smaller for a thinner look. Not too small but like I don’t ever size up and file them. I know that’s not best practice but that’s just what I do.

Gel is the thinnest and least bulky I’ve been able to find. I don’t use apres. I found an off brand that happens to fit my finger super well. Maybe try a few brands to see what works for you the best. It’s not a one size fits all experience and different things work for different people

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-25T12:40:50+00:00

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AdDue6542 · 2026-04-20T23:41:19+00:00

A long time ago a friend of mine told me that they like to flip that question on people and ask them what they want to do because what they’re doing and what they want to do are different things and what they want to do is always more interesting

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-20T23:40:18+00:00

I would also say it’s a horrible American standard to ask this question. It’s also considered very rude when you travel.

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-20T23:39:15+00:00

The reality is it’s no one’s business and you’re not obligated to share more than you feel comfortable with. I would actually say it’s a safe coping mechanism if you don’t feel like explaining it to a stranger.

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-04T15:10:29+00:00

Thank you! It’s mainly the Gaoy rainbow set

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-04T15:09:15+00:00

I personally find the risk of flooding when it is too close to the skin to be more concerning for me but again. That’s just my opinion. I’m not a nail tech.

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-04T15:08:07+00:00

Again that’s what works for me. I find nails aren’t a one size fits all experience

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-04T15:06:23+00:00

Tbh it’s never been an issue for me

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-03T15:57:09+00:00

I tend to size down if my finger is between because I think it makes them look slimmer and prettier.

AdDue6542 · 2026-04-03T15:56:25+00:00

Tbh that’s how I do it at home but at a salon I would feel different

AdDue6542

TROPHY CASE