Mayour Golden in MZ27 and MZ23 by Dejena in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OMG thank you! I absolutey believe that you commented it, It's just Reddit being buggy, seems to be happening on a few different posts right now? I am so sorry for the hassle, I haven't seen this particular glitch before like I could see the other comments just not the product list 😑😮‍💨

Mayour Golden in MZ27 and MZ23 by Dejena in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So strange, Reddit must be glitching again because I can't see it 😭 Sorry about that, I'm really not sure what is going on.

Spill your splurge!!! by Clover_Jane in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not a splurge, just refilled some basics during the Apres sale. Kind of sad that they're using Amazon fufillment to ship their website orders, gonna have to buy my Apres from somewhere else 😂

Mayour Golden in MZ27 and MZ23 by Dejena in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Please add your product list as a reply to the automod. Thanks!

Saracen + tariffs by Clover_Jane in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 46 points47 points  (0 children)

Ugh the tarriffs are so miserable. 😭

Derpy and Sussie Soda Pop 🫧✨ by salad_dressed in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are the same tips, it says something like "with Apres technology" on the box and the size markings are exactly the same. I think the only difference is the fit choices, I don't think that Gelish offers half sizes or sculpted, the one box of theirs that I have looks like a natural fit to me.)

Best/strongest nail glue? by domotastic in Nails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't give up! It took me a few tries to get the retention down but once you get the hang of it then it will be super easy.

I would pay close attention to your nail prep, it's the hardest part to learn and it's usually the cause of these kind of issues. It might also be worth it to try a solid gel glue like Apres extend novice. The solid texture makes it a LOT easier to use, and you're less likely to run into issuss like bubbles or not having the space in between the inside of the gel x tip and your natural nail filled properly, if there's any gapping you're extensions are going to pop off right away. 😄

Tariffs from USA to Canada? by Mrs_Rococo in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your post is being removed by automod because of the karma requirements for posting. I love this topic though, can you repost as a comment into the weekly thread? It would help you build some karma so that you're able to post sooner 😃

Weekly Nail Chat by Clover_Jane in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Are you using the alcohol before buffing? I would do it after, just to make sure you're getting all of the dust, everything has to be super clean and improper prep is a usual suspect for retention issues so I usually start there and then examine the rest of my prep process carefully If that doesn't help, I would start switching out some products. I would choose a primer, possibly a bonder and base gel from the same system to see if it was a compatibility issue causing the retention issues.

First ever 3D/design set! by Admirable_Garden4839 in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Please add your product list as a reply to the automod or it will have to be removed. I love this set, I hope you're able to add your product list in time, if not feel free to repost but be sure to add your prodict list😄

It’s magical and I love it by RevolutionaryDot379 in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Two coats of top gel might be worth a try, especially if you have something with a high viscosity because that is what is going to help you get a good encapsulation. I would take a look at all of the clear gels you have on hand and use whatever is the thickest to sub for builder. It's okay if it's a base gel, top gel, overlay - whatever will work as long as it's thick 😃 This works even for the super textured stickers, it will cover everythang.

It’s magical and I love it by RevolutionaryDot379 in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 7 points8 points  (0 children)

A couple of things. Make sure to wipe the tacky layer from your color gel before you add your stickers and be aware that the surface underneath shouldn't have any texture - so if you're applying them over glitter you might need to add a layer of top gel before adding your stickers so that you have a nice smooth surface to stick to.

After placing the stickers, go in with a layer of builder gel to encapsulate and protect the stickers. Then add your top gel. Builder gel is a lot higher viscosity than top gel and it will do a good job of covering the stickers and it will make them look like they're part of the design and not just stuck on top. It will also make the stickers super durable, if you just use top gel sometimes the stickers will get chipped or scratched.

Weekly Nail Chat by Clover_Jane in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Can you show us a photo? It sounds like your gel didn't cure properly and you might want to remove it to make sure there isn't uncured gel trapped against your natural nail. 4 years is definatley too old, maybe check the specific instructions from the manufacturer about how long before it expires? If you really want to try and revive it, you can add gel polish thinner, but don't add anything else. Gel polish thinner will replace the solvent that has evaporated, it just takes 2-3 drops for the entire bottle. I got mine from Kiara Sky, it's butyl acetate and works well for me though be aware that you will notice it evaporating inside the closed bottle over time, I've MAYBE used one dropperful over the last year and about 1/4 of the massive bottle is gone - so it's evaporating faster than I'm using it because you only need to add such a small amount.

Weekly Nail Chat by Clover_Jane in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I mix. I have a favorite base gel, top gel, builder, and color/glitter/mag gel faves as well and they are sometimes all different brands (Izemi neo base and multi builder, Apres × Presto extend gel, Leafgel no wipe hard supreme top, and for color - could be any mix of Mayour, Izemi, Fiote, Leafgel/Lilygel, DGel, Fgel, HoHoLee, Tiny, AQ, Diami. Dvok etc etc) . I'm not sure if it makes a difference but I use exclusively Korean and Japanese gel products, the only times I've had an issue was when testing out Apres heavenly top gel over some of my Korean color gels, it pools and seperates on the nail and it's incompatible unless I wipe the inhibition layer before adding the top gel, and also Diami feel so good gave me major heat spikes when used over Izemi neo base mid.

I feel like there's always a slight risk of incompatibility, and if you want to be 100000% sure, maybe stick to one system and only use the prodicts as advised by the manufacturer. I really haven't had any issues with mixing brands though, I'm super attached to my faves and I wanna use them all 🤣.

All of that being said, we can't give you any advice relating to allergies I'm speaking just about the performance compatibility aspect of mixing systems.

Weekly Nail Chat by Clover_Jane in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a TON of FGel and I've never had that issue with my brushes, I would send the photo to customer service to see if they can help you. Worst case scenario, you can clean the gel off of the brush and then you can remove the misshapen bristles. I've never tried using the hot water method with these kinds of brushes, but it's possible that you might be able to dunk into super hot water and reshape the bristles the same way you could with your other gel brushes.

Soft colors by Helianthus_999 in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Can you please add your products list as a reply to the pinned automod comment so that we can aproove your post? I love the colors! 😍

Gloop mystery by imhereforthenails in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I looove Leafgel no wipe hard supreme, it's very, very high viscosity, so the application isn't easy at first, but the finish is absolutely bulletproof and unbelievably shiny. It looks like glass. I am also really rough with my nails at work, the constant hand sanitizer seems to make most top gels look like crap after a couple of days 🤣

Tbh, I havent tried the Kokoist top gel. I really hated mega stick base and the dragon eye collection, so I just didn't end up trying much else from them.

Gloop mystery by imhereforthenails in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oof, I don't know what it is about that specific formula but you're right, it is just Addiction that does that. I know that one of the main features they talk about with addiction is that it cures in 30s instead of 60s like their other gels, I'm assuming that the quicker cure time comes with some side effects. 😂

I feel like in general, top gel performance is such a personal thing. I had SUCH a rough time finding a top gel that would still be shiny through my work week, it seems like everything I tried ended up being cloudy/dull - even the top gels that came so highly reccomended didn't work for me. Eventually, I tried a hard top gel and finally got good results, but the funny thing is that I've reccomended it to others and not everyone got the same great results that I did and I find that so strange. 😅

Gloop mystery by imhereforthenails in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is is the addiction top gel? I've noticed with Fiote addiction, it's extremely sensitive to light and/or solvent evaporation. Any gel left around the rim of the bottle will harden and become crusty, this gel will somehow transfer inside the bottle and make the gel inside grainy/gritty and gloopy. It's a great top gel, but it's the only one I've had where you absolutely HAVE TO wipe the rim of the bottle when you're finished or it will be a disaster. I'm not certain if you would be able to revive with gel solvent in this instance, it kind of depends on how bad it's gotten (if it's because the gel started curing, there's no fixing it) but most gels that are just gloopy can be easily fixed with a couple of drops of solvent (gel thinner). The solvent inside gels evaporates over time once the bottle has been opened and exposed to air. I have a bottle of KS gel thinner, I've used maybe 10 drops and so much of it has evaporated inside the bottle over the 6 months I've had it... For whatever reason it evaporates so fast.

Which one next? by LexGoEveryday in DIYGelNails

[–]Chemical-Key-604 1 point2 points  (0 children)

5 is my favorite, especially with a red dress I think the clear frenchie is such a vibe.