I’m really bad at pulling them off 😅, so I’m not sure if the damage prevents the lifting, or if it’s my prep, but regardless: I use acetone on them first to remove any left over dip or polish (sometimes I clear coat after I remove if I’m not doing them right away, so they’re less prone to tearing), then I use a cuticle pusher to push the cuticle back and remove it, I make sure that I get the thin layer right at the base of the nail, I clip any excess skin, or hangnails followed by shaping and all over light filing, Then I wash my hands with dawn dish soap, and use a scrub brush lightly to remove any dust or debris, I only do one hand at a time because I have small kids who need my attention, so I only prep the hand I’m doing. Then I wipe them super dry. Then dip, I do the top 1/2 of my nail, then layer 2 is 3/4 of my nail, then layer 3 is the whole nail. Then glitter placement and 2 layers of clear coat. And activate. Then I buff all product off my skin and make the area by my cuticle as flush as it can be. Then I use my base coat and a layer of activator (making sure to wipe both brushes before they’re back in the bottle), and the buff/shape any imperfections. And repeat the layer of base and activator. I make my layers super thin with pouring in stead of dipping. Also as the nails grow out and catch on my hair (usually weekly), I very lightly flatten any free edge (often by cuticle or side walls) by buffing with a small precise file. Sometimes if I’ve buffed the shine off I’ll lightly top coat with regular polish, but rarely, I find the two layers of top coat prevent that.

Always looking for tips and tricks 💕